Is there a style of yoga best suited to a runner?

[Fingalo]

Thinking this might be an aid to my training and looking at this website I see there are different types, do any of you guys have a recommendation?

ekhartyoga.com/everything-y...

[Cazvs Graduate]

I do hatha yoga, I used to go to classes but now just do it at home. It's very slow and is meant to be tension releasing but I find running better for that! There are certain positions that are good for runners. A good yoga instructor will be able to give you a routine to do that will help complement your running.

Any kind of yoga will help build your core strength. There are more types than are on that page, not sure how many altogether. There are more on this list- mindbodygreen.com/0-68/Diff...

Pilates is good for core strength too. I would definitely go to a class to start out with, yoga poses are easy to cock up and you can injure yourself if you do it wrong.

I am by no means an expert though, I bet someone else will be able to tell you something more useful

[swanscot Graduate]

I'd suggest the best type is that which is offered at a class that you'll feel comfortable in.

I go to an Iyengar Yoga class and as it explains here:

yoga4runners.net/best-types...

"Iyengar – Great for refining alignment and beginners. Iyengar yoga is based on the teachings of the yogi B.K.S Iyengar and is predominantly concerned with body alignment. An Iyengar practice usually emphasizes holding poses over long periods and getting into the correct alignment versus moving quickly from one pose to the next (flow). The use of props such as yoga blankets, blocks and straps in order to bring the body into correct alignment is encouraged. Iyengar teachers tend to be a wealth of anatomical information. The use of props is great for stiff runners, learning fundamental yoga, and like Anusara it reinforces the mind-body connection through a focus on proper physical alignment. Best to do during your base and build phases."

As it says in the above description, my yoga teacher is very knowledgeable on anatomy and is trained to work with people who have specific needs/abilities with regard to their range of movement, so I feel very confident working with her.

For my at home daily practice I use a mixture of Iyengar yoga, using poses learnt in class and Vinyasa (flow) yoga using Esther Ekhart's videos. She is a good teacher and she emphasises the correct alignment for the poses - if you work slowly through the beginner videos.

[notbad Graduate]

Not sure which type I do, it's beginners yoga & seems to have a crossover with pilates, it's definitely helped strengthen my core. I would agree about starting off with a teacher, it's all too easy to hurt yourself coming in & out of a pose if not done right.

[Fingalo Graduate]

Thanks for the responses guys, I have to admit there are so many types my brain hurts trying to work out which best suits what I'm after!

I'll have another look later.

[Cazvs Graduate]

What sort of thing do you envisage from a class? If you're like me and find meditation tough going and have to restrain yourself from saying that actually, water is a compound and not an element, then you might be better off with one of the more physical forms. If you want to relax and concentrate on your breathing and releasing tension then have a go at one of the slower ones. I'd just see what classes are available locally and try one out.

[Fingalo Graduate in reply to Cazvs]

I think your last line is what I'll do Cazvs, although after my last post I did email a local teacher who's profile I liked, I'll see what she advises and will probably pop along for a class with her.

[GoogleMe Graduate]

I just pick and mix day by day according to what I feel the need for, although I have done particular practices regularly for a few weeks when they address a need (ie no good doing something to strengthen your core and expecting it to do the trick in one session). Esther Ekhart points out that it is often about which teacher rather than which style you find you respond best to (although all of her team work for me - occasionally I've tried other internet offerings and they don't) There is a clip Yoga for Runners (I can't remember if I've tried it, may have been too tough for me)

[Fingalo Graduate]

The teacher I contacted got back to me, she does a beginners class which doesn't tie in with my office hours unfortunately but she's holding a workshop this Saturday so i may pop along, the only thing is, it's three hours and £26!

[TX-Bluebonnet Graduate]

I always wondered what the difference was bettwen yoga and pilates so I did some research and found pilates is a good (maybe better?) option. Might be worth looking into if you haven't already. Now I just need to find a DVD.

Yoga and Pilates - what's the difference?

weightloss.com.au/articles/...

and

Five Reasons Pilates is the Best Cross Training Exercise for Runners & Most Athletes

sports.yahoo.com/top/news?s...

[Fingalo Graduate in reply to TX-Bluebonnet]

Thanks TX, I think I'll give this yoga workshop on Saturday a lash and then maybe check out a pilates class for comparison.

[Ifatfirst Graduate in reply to Fingalo]

A workshop is a good idea. It'll give you time to find out a bit about how yoga works and some idea about what effect it has upon you. Also gives you long enough to find out how the teacher works and if your going to like the way she teaches.

Good luck -hope you enjoy it and let us know how you get on.