Running + yoga: why they work together

Many yoga poses strengthen your hamstrings and quads—muscles that do a lot of work while you run. Downward Dog, Triangle Pose and Half Splits are just a few classic yoga poses that activate your hamstrings. When it comes to your quads, Crescent Lunge, Pigeon Pose and Dancer (among others) help to stretch and strengthen the area. Strengthening your leg muscles will not only add power to your running stride, but it will also help protect your joints. Muscular imbalance and tightness can cause strain on joints (like your knees) that already work overtime when you run.

Why developing muscle strength through yoga is great for your running:
- You’ll be able to run for longer periods without getting over tired.
- You’ll prevent joint strain and injury.
- Your run stride will be more powerful and balanced.

Almost every yoga session begins with a focus on the breath. Yoga instructors guide participants to become aware of the physical mechanics that go into breathing, to pay attention to the way their bodies breathe naturally, and to explore the ways breath can support their movements. Since running is so demanding on the cardiovascular system, all runners can benefit from improved breath control. Learning how to be aware of your breathing pattern and how to get the most out of each breath will bring more power to your run and will allow you to run for longer periods.

Why developing breath control through yoga is great for your running:
- You will learn to breathe more deeply, thereby bringing more oxygen to the muscles that work so hard while you run
- By regulating your breathing pattern, your body will settle into a movement pattern that feels comfortable and sustainable.
- Being conscious of your breath will make you more aware of how far you can push yourself. While it’s great to challenge your cardiovascular system, you never want to be in extreme discomfort, or have the feeling that you need to gasp for air.