Why you should practice yoga after weight training
Yoga is one of the best things you can do after lifting weights. Taking 10-15 minutes after your weight training session will increase recovery, reduce muscle tension/pain, and allows for better rest. Integrating yoga into your gym routine will increase strength, mobility, flexibility; bring in more focus, & mental strength, while coordinating mind body connection.
Taking time at the end of your workout to practice breathing and lengthening the muscles, you will release stress within your mind and body. Allowing yourself space to release tension and to feel good. By releasing that stress you will have faster and better recovery in between your lift. You will start to see strength improvement by having the energy to lift heavier and go longer. Your mind will strengthen because you will learn that by connecting your breath with your movement you are able to concentrate & focus better leading you to move beyond your limits & to push harder.
Stretching your muscles after lifting allows the body to return to a resting state. By returning to this restful state, you will have better uninterrupted sleep because you allowed your nervous system to return into the parasympathetic state after being in the sympathetic while working out. This state of rest will also help eliminate anxiety within the mind and body, helping you to feel more centered and grounded in the present moment.
After your next weight training session, take 10-15 minutes to practice yoga. Grab a mat & try these poses taking deep breaths:
Childs Pose: Big toes touching, knees out wide, melting forehead to the mat.
CatCow: On all 4s, inhale to drop the belly & lift the chin, exhale to round the spine
Pigeon Pose: From all 4s bring right knee towards right wrist, left knee flat on the mat scooting back behind you, place block underneath right glute, toes flexed up towards shin, push your right hip back left hip forward, fold forward towards right knee
Happy stretching!!
-Bree
