Incorporating regular yoga into your life as a runner has more benefits than you might think. Holly Cooper, founder of Holly Cooper Yoga, has broken down some of the reasons why you should get your Om on.

Strength

Yoga practice strengthens both the key supporting muscles used in running and the underused muscles. The movement on the mat develops strength in the core, quads, hamstrings and hip flexors which will help runners to stay injury free.

Flexibility

We need strength to perform exercise but also the flexibility to move with freedom and ease. Yoga poses held for long periods of time create elasticity and loosen up the muscles, joints, ligaments and connective tissues that will ultimately help to run with more freedom.

Breathing

Breathing is one of the most important parts of Hatha yoga, the breath nourishes and guides the asana (posture) practice. Through conscious breathing we are more aware of sensations in the body, we learn that slower breathing is more relaxing, faster breathing is more energizing. When running either in sprinting or long distance we can breath to bring about a more relaxed mental state or feel more alert and focused. Breath work will increase oxygen intake and can help reduce performance anxiety.

Balance

Yoga will not only balance out the body but the mind too. Yoga teaches us to look after our bodies and having that balance of training hard and taking time to rest, recover and heal.

Posture

The foundation for efficient movement in running is posture. Yoga teaches us to elongate the spine without adding any tension. Alignment is key in yoga and as we learn to stand taller, stronger without tension we can practice this in our running technique.

Back health

For many runners back pain is a common concern. From constant impact through the legs to the back it causes strain. Yoga twists and gentle cat/cow stretches mobilise the back to help prevent any problems, for instance in the spinal discs.

Stress

Yoga helps to control emotions, which is useful for moments of discomfort. Learning to work through intense poses it on the mat is a lot like enduring a long run. Relaxation and meditation techniques in yoga help to clear the mind of worry, encouraging a better nights sleep to allow for a clear mindset prior to a big event.

Mental strength

Through yoga you cultivate improved concentration and the ability to overcome the ego, learning to accept the body and mind you have on the day and only push it as far as it will go.

READ MORE ON: strength strength-training stretching yoga