My Five Favorite Yoga Poses For Runners

Hello! I’m really excited to share this week’s post (as I usually am), but am especially excited to share a few of my favorite yoga poses that I have found that have helped me as a runner.

Now, to be honest, I haven’t done a legit yoga class in a few months. *Cringes.* Yeah, it’s not my thing, fitness-wise. I think it’s great and I love how I feel after I’m done, but yoga doesn’t have the same amount of sweat involved as a run or strength training…sorry to any hardcore yogis reading this! 😛 I do enjoy the stillness and the series of movements to help open me up and help me relax. The music, the vibes of the class, and learning a new pose are all something I look forward to when I attend a class. Getting that challenge from stretches and new movements does intimidate me a little, but I have to constantly remind myself that just like anything else, it takes work and patience to see some improvement. Hence, why going to a class regularly like I should would be helpful!

I was going pretty regularly during my undergrad since I enjoyed one instructor in particular, the type of class she taught, and the day/time of the class. Plus it was our school gym so I basically walked across campus and I was there. Now real life has set in and I have to find a new place to go not a part of UT! This has been part of the issue of finding a studio to go to among other factors like instructor, timing, type of yoga, etc. I have learned to use YouTube in a pinch, which does help. Better then nothing right??

Post class, I feel a sense a re-newness while being aware of my being. I leave every time saying, “I forget how much I enjoy this.” Sometimes we forget what our body actually needs instead of what our mind wants. I try to remember the “post” feeling of something when I’m not at first interested in doing something. This happens most often with yoga, but simply reminding myself how good it is for me is enough to put in on my calendar and make it happen. Another thing that helps me prioritize, is knowing it helps benefit my running. Both those reasons combined and I make it happen. Yes, as a personal trainer, I’m following my own advice as a way of putting it on a calendar or in my schedule to make it a priority!

Okay so I’ve told you my thoughts on yoga and what works and what hasn’t for me. I love keeping it real and open here, especially since no one is perfect, even us personal trainers! Watch, after I finish writing this, I’ll look up a couple options for yoga YouTube videos I can do at home! Told ya it doesn’t take much. 😉

Anyways, yoga poses for runners. Tight hips, low back/core, and hamstrings are my tightest spots. I foam roll about three to four times per week but getting a good stretch is something completely different. Like I mentioned above, I enjoy the series of movements to gradually open up and relax me. You’ll find one of my favorites in last week’s post: the cat-cow! Great for low back and core.

Below are my five favorite yoga poses for runners. Add them to your post-run cool-down routine or add them to a morning or evening to start or end the day.

Runner’s Lunge (1)
- Great for: tight hips
Pigeon Pose (2)
- Great for: tight hips and glutes
Swan Dive to Downward Dog (3)
- Great for: lengthening the upper body and hamstrings
Triangle Pose (4)
- Great for: total body, especially inner thighs, hips, obliques
Child’s pose (5)
- Great for: low back and core (I love finishing my stretches with this–helps me become centered in cool-down)