DonKnock
KPJ Gonna Save Us
Preface: This is not JBO, this is a serious fitness and health discussion so leave your "
"'s at the door
_________________________
Now, this sub has great information about many topics, but one area that is often unaddressed is the importance of stretching as it relates to exercise, mental strength, and overall health.
Why do yoga?
The best of the best athletes do yoga. They have a nearly limitless amount of resources at their disposal, yet they rely upon a method that costs nothing at all!
That is because it works. However, it is not a magic pill or band aid, you will get out of it what you put into it.
The body is made up of individual muscles, but these muscles must work together in systems. Everything north of a muscle that is tight will have to overcompensate to keep the body upright. This means that if you have a calf injury for example, the hamstrings, glutes, low back, upper back, and neck muscles will all go into a compromised position in order to keep the body stable. While they are doing this, the body is in a fight or flight state and stress levels increase. Your body is subconsciously trying to alert you that there is a problem and something must be done, consequently draining you of the ability to focus because you are in this elevated state and your body wants to return to homeostasis.
Thanks to YouTube, you don't even need to leave the house and set up a mental roadblock for yourself of potentially being embarrassed as a first timer in a yoga class. Everything can be done at home.
Another thing to note is that yoga should not be done PRIOR to exercising, it is something that is done AFTER exercising. If you want some pre-workout dynamic stretches look here:
To begin getting acquainted with yoga movements, here is a 5 minute routine that hits most major muscle groups:
This routine sufficiently hits major muscle groups and can continually be used for months with increasing results
For a more in depth and intermediate routine that focuses on legs:
This routine targets more muscle groups but comes with a bigger time commitment and longer holds of each stretch.
Once you have passed a beginner - intermediate level of stretching competency, another option is what is called Yin Yoga. In this form the stretches are held much longer with the goal of increasing range of flexibility with a meditative element as well:
These are the heavy hitters I use now, and have achieved great results. When I began my journey of stretching I could not even get my body into an L shape without my back rounding, now I get to nearly a 45 degree angle in a wide leg forward fold.
Yoga can be incorporated into fitness no matter what your goals are. Hopefully these will help y'all along your fitness journey
"'s at the door_________________________
Now, this sub has great information about many topics, but one area that is often unaddressed is the importance of stretching as it relates to exercise, mental strength, and overall health.
Some of you may be among the group that has good posture and flexibility naturally. However, I was not one of you. When I was younger I did the Presidential Fitness Test and would get top marks on everything except the stretching, which I would fail.
So about 2 years ago I decided to turn what had previously been a weakness into a strength
So about 2 years ago I decided to turn what had previously been a weakness into a strength
Why do yoga?
- Stress
- Strength
- Focus
The best of the best athletes do yoga. They have a nearly limitless amount of resources at their disposal, yet they rely upon a method that costs nothing at all!
That is because it works. However, it is not a magic pill or band aid, you will get out of it what you put into it.
The body is made up of individual muscles, but these muscles must work together in systems. Everything north of a muscle that is tight will have to overcompensate to keep the body upright. This means that if you have a calf injury for example, the hamstrings, glutes, low back, upper back, and neck muscles will all go into a compromised position in order to keep the body stable. While they are doing this, the body is in a fight or flight state and stress levels increase. Your body is subconsciously trying to alert you that there is a problem and something must be done, consequently draining you of the ability to focus because you are in this elevated state and your body wants to return to homeostasis.
Thanks to YouTube, you don't even need to leave the house and set up a mental roadblock for yourself of potentially being embarrassed as a first timer in a yoga class. Everything can be done at home.
Another thing to note is that yoga should not be done PRIOR to exercising, it is something that is done AFTER exercising. If you want some pre-workout dynamic stretches look here:
To begin getting acquainted with yoga movements, here is a 5 minute routine that hits most major muscle groups:
This routine sufficiently hits major muscle groups and can continually be used for months with increasing results
For a more in depth and intermediate routine that focuses on legs:
This routine targets more muscle groups but comes with a bigger time commitment and longer holds of each stretch.
Once you have passed a beginner - intermediate level of stretching competency, another option is what is called Yin Yoga. In this form the stretches are held much longer with the goal of increasing range of flexibility with a meditative element as well:
These are the heavy hitters I use now, and have achieved great results. When I began my journey of stretching I could not even get my body into an L shape without my back rounding, now I get to nearly a 45 degree angle in a wide leg forward fold.
Yoga can be incorporated into fitness no matter what your goals are. Hopefully these will help y'all along your fitness journey
