So much of what we do all day every day is so "forward" focused...walking, driving, working, thinking, planning, goal-setting, career-orienting and yes, running. So how to counter all of that forwardness that we take upon ourselves every day? How do we treat the back half of our bodies, our selves, our lives, as consciously as we treat the front half?
Among other thoughts, yoga.
As I mentioned in an earlier post, I have a wide and varied history in things fitness-related.
For example, when I'm running, I'm thinking: "WOW! I LOVE THIS! I want to run all of the time. Why don't I run more? I want to spend all of my free time and focus all of my fitness-based goals on running and becoming a better runner! (Except when I'm thinking "why am I doing this?" - for examples of this, please refer to the Henry Ford quote, found in post number 2.)
When I'm teaching or taking cycling classes, the same thing happens. And it happens again when I visit the gym floor to lift some weights. Then it happens again when I put on goggles and a cap and dive into the pool. And again when I pick up a ball of yarn and some knitting needles...well, you get the idea. I just can't help that I love so many things so much!
However, Training For A Marathon requires a great deal of tenacity, focus and time. So much so that it leaves little time for anything else beyond work, sleep and somewhat maintaining your personal and social relationships.
I've found a way around this, and by this I mean that I am enjoying my "rest' (non-running) days by practicing yoga.
It might seem counter-intuitive but in reality, running and yoga make great training partners! Unless, of course, you are literally RUNNING to a yoga class because you are on the late side and worried that you might not get there in time, or conversely, you are leaving a yoga class and frantically dash off to your next destination. In those situations, pairing running with yoga is just ironic, but the physical nature of the two disciplines actually complement each other remarkably well!
It might seem counter-intuitive but in reality, running and yoga make great training partners! Unless, of course, you are literally RUNNING to a yoga class because you are on the late side and worried that you might not get there in time, or conversely, you are leaving a yoga class and frantically dash off to your next destination. In those situations, pairing running with yoga is just ironic, but the physical nature of the two disciplines actually complement each other remarkably well!
Yoga offers a great counterbalance to all of that forwardness, the pushing and pounding of feet and the self-imposed tightening of quads and hamstrings. Yoga as a training partner provides the opportunity to slow down, to focus and to make the breath-body connection during runs.
When breathing becomes chaotic, the mind begins racing and the negativity starts to creep in, using lessons applied in yoga can help with remaining present, knocking back the "what ifs" and the self-doubt and can help you focus on the journey before you.
When breathing becomes chaotic, the mind begins racing and the negativity starts to creep in, using lessons applied in yoga can help with remaining present, knocking back the "what ifs" and the self-doubt and can help you focus on the journey before you.
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