Balance Between Yoga and Running
Happy Wednesday! I hope that as you’re reading this, your week is going well and you’re getting stuff done! I’m taking this week as it comes and just doing my best! Life is truly a balance of planning and rolling with it right? Today we’re going to talk about the balance between yoga and running. I’ve written about it before but there is definitely a benefit to having both in your workout routine.
Yoga and running have many things in common but most people usually get freaked out and think that doing either of them is too hard. That couldn’t be further from the truth! Running is literally just you and the road and I absolutely love it. Yoga can be daunting because of all the different poses but I truly believe in the healing qualities of movement and just doing what feels good. The great thing about doing both is that you can look inward and learn more about yourself.
Both Provide a Sense of Relief
Running is my favorite thing to do when I’m super stressed. I can turn on my favorite playlist and just hit the road! It forces me to focus on the task at hand and on my surroundings. During a run, I hardly think about things that are driving me up the wall. Yoga is the same way! During yoga, I focus on my breathing and try to make sure I am not holding tension in my body. I try to feel what’s going on and make sure to release any stress that’s hindering me from moving a certain way.
Both Force You To Push Yourself
It’s no secret that runners are always striving for a goal. Whether it’s to run faster, run farther, or run more efficiently, we all do it! This means embracing the suck and getting comfortable with the uncomfortable. Yoga can be the same way. While it’s a nice and relaxing environment, different types of yoga force you to really look inwards. A certain pose may be available to your body but your mind is not allowing you to properly move into it. By identifying limiting factors, you can move past them and really achieve different levels of your practice.
Both Allow For Growth In Other Areas Of Your Life
By allowing yourself the ability to grow within running and yoga, you’re improving the whole package. Not only are you getting physically stronger but you’re breaking mental barriers as well. When you have a great workout or you finally hit a yoga pose you’ve been working on, your day is instantly better! You’re able to use the positive energy at work and in your relationships. Really focusing and working toward goals in running and yoga help in non-fitness related parts of your life.
While yoga and running may not seem very alike, they both provide great insight about ourselves. The human body and mind work in ways that you wouldn’t believe. If you can get out of your head for a little bit and allow your mind to take over, you may surprise yourself!
What are some ways that yoga and running are similar to you?
