The 5 Best Poses for Athletes

Hi Kimberly, I use both your Yoga for athletes DVD and your Yoga for runners download on ITunes. I saw you are doing a yoga for runner workshop in December in LA, any chance you will be doing one in NYC any time soon?

Hi April,

I am doing the Yoga for Runner Workshop in conjunction with the LA Marathon in February; I do have a number of students from YAS Venice who will be running the NYC Marathon in November.

So maybe I will do a Yoga for Runners Workshop next year in NYC!!

All my best,

Kimberly

I really think it's important to say here that when you contract your muscle as you do when you are an athlete, you are strengthening the muscle by shortening the fibers.. combine that with the daily drive, sitting and all the other by-products of todays modern comfort , and you end up with tight immobile muscles and compressed connective tissue.

It really pays off to add these moves to your routine!

I agree!! You don't have to turn yourself into a pretzel to get the benefits of yoga.

Just a "little" yoga will go along way...

I don't know what I would do with YAS! The combination of YOGA for ATHLETES after SPINNING, is amazing! There is nothing like a good sweat session and deep stretch that gets me more energized, even on an off day. It is so important to have people like Kimberly, who teach us how to do YOGA properly, and not force our bodies to be something they will not!
Thank you!

I am training for the LA Marathon next year. I started taking yoga classes from YAS since August 2008, about 2-3 times per week, and I feel stronger as a runner already! Am loving all the good stuff like greater flexibility, more muscle mass…

Thank you, YAS!

So, the goal for next year:
1. Complete the LA Marathon in 4hrs 30 mins (my last marathon finish time in 2007 was 5hrs 20mins)

2. Complete the LA Marathon injury free

3. Do 20 push-ups after crossing the finish line!!

Tune in for more!

-Tina

Kimberly, it would be fantastic if you could do a workshop in New York. I know so many people who would be all over that. Please keep me posted.

Tina-I love your GOALS!! Keep up the good work and keep us posted with your progress.

When is your next race?

Kimberly

Hi Kimberly,

Probably the Pasadena Half Marathon on Nov 16... will keep you posted!

Regards,
Tina

Hi, Kimberly! I love how you are bringing yoga to the athletes instead of just the "pretzel" people! I have very tight hips. What would be the best poses for me to practice?

Thanks!

Hi Alicia, the sequence in this posting "The 5 Best Poses for Athletes" would be a good one to do. But, if you can only to 1 pose, I would suggest Reclining Pigeon. It is truly my favorite, I have tight hips too!! Kimberly

I am currently training for my next marathon in 3 weeks time and also the LA Marathon in Feb 2009.

I took up yoga for the first time in my life 2 months ago at YAS. While I have been cross-training with cycling, spinning and weight training - Yoga really suprised me as a perfect complement to running.

The 2 main benefits for me have been:
(i) Discovering and correcting the body's imbalances
(realised that my right side has been compensating for a weaker left one)
(ii) Strengthening core muscles

While its only been 2 months since I started Yoga, I don't feel the usual aches and pains after a 15 miler or 20 miler. My running mates have been impressed! :)

Runners - Don't hesitate - Give Yoga a Go!

Thanks Kimberly and all at YAS for making it super fun every week! :)

Hi Shilo,

Thanks for giving Yoga the Thumbs–Up for Runners!! And I’m glad to hear Yoga is helping with your Marathon training. Keep up the good work.

Kimberly

I continue to practice Yoga for Athletes for almost 2 years now, and the thing that I've noticed has changed the most about my body is how much my hips have opened up. I've done pigeon & cobbler before YAS, but, the way Kimberly talks us through these poses has helped me use them in a whole new way; I'm already pushing deeper and noticing how much stress I hold in my HIPS- of all places! Some days, the poses are remarkably difficult--but I love it!! I'm also connecting better to my breathing, and notice that I bring YFA breathing techniques into spinning classes.
Thanks, Kimberly!
Sarina

I've been an active person my entire life. I started spinning at YAS 4 1/2 years ago for the cardio. I never thought that I would ever do yoga. My impression of it had been that I would/could never get a good work out from it.

But boy was I wrong! One of my fellow spinners convinced my to take a yoga class and I was amazed at how physically demanding it was. Plus it helped to stretch out all those muscles that were tight from work and running around after 2 kids.

I'm currently recovering from a back injury and it is helping to relieve all those spasmed muscles and stiff vertebrae. I can't wait to be in class tomorrow!

-linda

Yoga has been wonderful for me. As a gymnast for my entire childhood, my body took a daily pounding and when I quit, I noticed that my joints and muscles would get tight quite often. I started to practice yoga and could feel the difference immediately. I also could see the difference as yoga helped to lengthen some of the muscles that had developed over time.

Now, as a working adult, doing yoga is also a way of letting go of the stress of daily life (especially in LA!) And I enjoy the YFA method because it is only an hour long class and we get right down to business, my schedule doesn't allow for much more than that and I still reap all of the benefits. I think yoga should be a part of every athletes training because it not only trains your muscles to develop in a different way, but it also calms your mind and can help you develop a keen sense of focus.

I completely agree-Yoga should be part of every Athletes training!! And yes the Mind-Body connection is what makes Yoga different then-just stretching.

Practicing Yoga for Athletes has helped me in my golf game! The hip openers and shoulder stretches have helped my swing to be more fluid. Concentrating on breathing during balancing poses helps my putting. I really appreciate the sporty approach to yoga!

Hi,

I want to run the 2009 NYC Marathon, and I know it's hard to get in. Anyone has any suggestion?

- Tina

Its a lottery system and previous participants are favored. Its best if you are part of the running group Road Runner ( ny ) also an official running club, they can nominate you for an entry if you qualify. Since you are already an accomplished runner, it should be very helpful.
A year and 8 days left!! good luck !!

Are you part of a running club? I was part of both the Road runners and LA leggers last year and they were very motivating and supportive in my training

Hi Hedi,

Thanks! Will check it out. Yup, I'm currently running with the Leggers.

-Tina

So far, the teachers training experience has been all and more than I thought it would be. Not only do I feel amazing, but I am learning new things everyday. I love the fact that I know exactly what muscles; and why I am working them in different poses now! It's been really fun AND hard work and to say the least, I am going to be very sad when it is over!

Hi Tori, Teachers Trainings are always good to do, whether you want to teach or not. Knowing the body is very important. All my best, Kimberly