My journey to the yoga mat was one of chance but one that I felt inclined to take for a very long time. That was ten years ago and now, after running races around the world, I am always brought back to a better, more connected version of myself when I incorporate yoga into my training. I have always felt the draw towards the idea of the spirit and to having some deeper connection than we, as sensory creatures, are capable of. The idea that the practice of yoga would unfold for me greater potential as a runner was foreign but it is now something I cherish with all of my heart. Whether you are just starting out as a yoga teacher or runner, or are already an experienced, elite ultra runner, perhaps you may apply or share what I have learnt towards unfolding as a better runner.
1. Increase the distance between the breath and you decrease the effort between steps.
It is through the physical aspect of prioritizing your breath during all stages of breathing — with your exhale, pause, inhale and pause — that your technical running will respond to breath work as a key first step towards being a more efficient runner. If you can practice hot yoga with priority on your breath, it will transfer to your running and technical trail racing ability. Steps become lighter and almost more sacred. |
2. Allow the experience to be and you get behind the runner's driving wheel.
The simple act of returning to your breath, when you get overwhelmed with thoughts or start to feel that last km. during a run, can be the secret towards finding a new reservoir of energy. Consistent practice of this, in the yoga room, transpires into increased skill out on the run.
The simple act of returning to your breath, when you get overwhelmed with thoughts or start to feel that last km. during a run, can be the secret towards finding a new reservoir of energy. Consistent practice of this, in the yoga room, transpires into increased skill out on the run.
3. Challenge your concentration with focus and your racing takes on a different level.
While the sport psychology aspects of focusing internally or externally seem to happen on their own, it is through our application and mental choices that we as runners best deal with stress. We can turn the experience into something that will work for us and cross those finish lines smiling instead of with those funny, agonized looks of something gone horribly, horribly wrong. Yoga can add that extra dimension of challenging your focus with additional heat stress and you can use this to be a better runner. |
4. Maintain your form in the face of conflict and you condition the norm for your body.
The maintenance of form and posture in yoga asanas is indeed more than a metaphor for the good form of a runner. If we as runners are always pushing our training, and are doing things like continually finishing slowly with form that goes from Cleopatra to Side Show Bob style, we need to focus on our form norms by checking in and ensuring that we are where we wish to be form wise. It is not that super-human strength is needed to hold a yoga posture, but by staying simple and eliminating everything else, like extra movements, you can begin to develop as a runner who can always return to good form when you wish.
The maintenance of form and posture in yoga asanas is indeed more than a metaphor for the good form of a runner. If we as runners are always pushing our training, and are doing things like continually finishing slowly with form that goes from Cleopatra to Side Show Bob style, we need to focus on our form norms by checking in and ensuring that we are where we wish to be form wise. It is not that super-human strength is needed to hold a yoga posture, but by staying simple and eliminating everything else, like extra movements, you can begin to develop as a runner who can always return to good form when you wish.
5. Open to feeling more interconnected with nature and nature starts to look after you.
Even if many of us go from house to car, to office, to gym, to car, to house and repeat, we are a part of nature and nature is a vital part of us. There is nothing like the shared energy of running a race you have been looking forward to, or the attuned energy of a yoga class with all moving in harmony. Ensuring you regularly change your favorite yoga mat spot in your class or your running route can add new energy and invigorate a more inspired practice. Make sure you look deeply at nature, both in training and in regular life, and perhaps nature will help you unfold into the runner you were meant to be. |
Jason Loutitt