Yogalates and running

[clareabell]

Hi everyone I was just wondering if anyone does yoga or pilates along side with your running, if so does it help ?  Many thanks in advance 😆

[farawaytree74 Graduate10]

I do yoga and I use an app called yoga studio which is brilliant. I did yoga for about two years before I started running. I think it helps running in terms of it stretching and lengthening muscles. I think I was quite bendy as a result of yoga but not that strong particularly in my legs. Running has certainly strengthened my leg muscles but it has taken about a year to get to this stage. Yoga gives you an all round feeling of stretchiness and well being and I love it but love running too, perhaps a tinsy bit more actually than yoga! 😊

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

I do Pilates... in a class... and Yoga at home. The Pilates for me is about flexibility , strength and  balance. ( I am slightly older ) Yoga... just all round suppleness, flexibility and focus. I find it all helps!

[clareabell Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you more to think about 😊

[Irishprincess Graduate10]

I do a Pilates class once a week and some of the actual moves every day. I started years ago to help a painful lower back and have kept it up. Pilates is a great thing to do as a runner as it strengthens the core which is critical for good running form and it gives a very good stretch. It's great to get rid of little niggles and aches and keeps everything "oiled" and more flexible! I've done yoga a few times and it's become very popular at my gym for some reason, but either or both are great for runners.

[GoogleMe Graduate10]

Yes, and yes.

I am seriously averse to stretching before and after my runs for reasons good and bad I'll not bore you with. The only time I feel the lack is if I seriously skimp my walk at the end.

But I do a short yoga practice every morning when I get up and really notice the difference when I don't. I also try to follow online classes (Ekhart Yoga is very accessible and you can try it out via YouTube) A lot of the benefit is psychological though... but as we all know, that's a huge part of running!