Warm-up yoga for runners: Happy (wet) Sunday... - Couch to 5K

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Warm-up yoga for runners

12 Replies

Happy (wet) Sunday, everyone!

I'm doing 'Yoga with Adriene' (she's lovely) and I just found out she's doing a runner's warm-up session: youtu.be/MKuZOwYukho

I haven't tried it yet (still struggling with the 40-min beginners class) but I'll give it a go tomorrow. Let me know what you think if you try it!

12 Replies
cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate

I love Adriene and I do one or more of her videos most days, including the 7 minute pre and post running ones on run days! Her higher intensity videos are pretty full on, and quite a workout, so I do those on non-run days as well as her gentle ones.

I fully recommend her - and I love Benji, her lovely dog who accompanies her on set sometimes! ❤️

pinkaardvark profile image
pinkaardvarkGraduate

Not tried the warm up yoga, but have tried a few of her stretching for runners sessions. I have read certain stretches can be bad for running though as you don't want to loosen off the tightness in some places as it gives you power.

I haven't been for yoga for a bit as I was finding the 1.5hrs sessions a bit much, plus my local lady doesn't advertise much so it's often 1on1 so nowhere to hide lol

MarkyD profile image
MarkyDGraduate

Just a word of caution... many of us on this forum are new to running and exercise. Yoga is certainly fantastic, and has its place in keeping fit and healthy. But I'd recommend that newer runners stick with 'dynamic' stretching before running, and this means the brisk 5 minute walk (and possibly some knee-lifts and 'butt-kicks') that the app/podcast start with. This is because our muscles are not accustomed to stretching, and will be cold. It is very easy to tear a cold, un-stretched muscle.

These fabulous ladies demonstrating yoga on web videos are:

1) younger than us;

2) 'professional' practitioners of yoga (probably several hours a day);

3) unbelievably stretchy;

4) probably in a warm studio (Apart from that Russian girl doing yoga in the snow [you know the one I mean])

---->>>> It's not realistic for us newbies to emulate the poses that the videos demonstrate.

So, everyone.... please do stretch. Stretch every day. But keep the warm-up stretches to dynamic stretching before running, and only do 'static' stretches like in the videos after a run when your muscles are warm.

icklegui profile image
ickleguiGraduate

I'm not a teacher, so I'm only speaking as someone who does yoga (mainly vinyasa flow, so the kind that Adriene is doing here, pretty much). I have a similar concern to MarkyD...

I think the stuff in the warm-up for runners ... it maybe ought to be emphasised for newbies that the movements should be with each breath, i.e. you aren't supposed to hold the poses for long like you would a static stretch after running. Also I definitely favour a yoga workout that eases you in with a fair bit of movement and warms you up before getting into lots of stretches, and that's even after a few years of regular yoga, so I think this video borders on something I wouldn't like. I feel like this pre-run video isn't ideal for beginners, basically! Having looked at her 40 min beginner workout just briefly, I would certainly stick with that for a while and take in all the tips she seems to be giving before using this. Goes for any yoga - having a teacher with you who knows you are a beginner is ideal, but if you can't access a teacher (and often, people who would benefit hugely cannot access a teacher, often for cost or availability reasons) then the next best thing is really to start with the beginner workouts and stick with them for a while.

I've been told by a yoga teacher that lots of the stuff on youtube is great but just be sensible with what you have a go at...Yoga isn't impactful but I can see how you could overdo it if you literally try to push yourself into the poses that the teachers are doing without anyone to let you know you don't *have* to aim straight for them or to give you beginners'/intermediate modifications (plenty of which exist) etc.

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate

With all the medical advice for stretching saying it’s a post run thing, yoga before a run would be a risk. Whoever this YouTuber is may know yoga, but they’re obviously not up to speed on running. When we see athletes stretching pre race on tv that’s because they’re already warmed up. MarkyD is on the money, the right stretches belong between warm up and run, so towards the end of the brisk walk.

Well, I'm glad I posted this and got all your advice. Big thank-you. I know now not to try this before my run tomorrow. I did about 20 mins of the beginners yoga (can't afford a personal yoga teacher) and it was HARD! So I took a break and I'll try again the day after my next run. Slowly slowly catchy monkey. :D

Bluep profile image
BluepGraduate

I love Yoga with Adrienne

I'm going from the other direction ..... been doing yoga for a little while and recently stated C25k (currently week 6)

in reply to Bluep

Excellent! One day I'll get there too :)

Bluep profile image
BluepGraduate in reply to

You can! You can practice yoga at your own pace. Adrienne usually gives variations. You choose your level. Enjoy! x

in reply to Bluep

I tried her 40-min beginners yoga yesterday. It was hard! But I'll stick with it. It's fun too :)

Bluep profile image
BluepGraduate in reply to

Haven't done that one yet. Can recommend yoga for tired legs! Lol x

in reply to Bluep

I need that right now! :D

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