Anyone doing Yoga???

[40 Nunc]

Does anyone do yoga on a regular basis?

My reason for asking is because my hip flexors are toasted from squatting 3 times/week on the SS program. Zen Monkey posted this in a recent thread http://www.wannabebig.com/article.php?articleid=305 and I perform these stretches a few times/week.

I used to do a lot of martial arts (taekwondo) and was very flexible, but there aren't any good studios in my area. I do have a yoga studio very close to the house and thought I'd check it out. Anyone have an opinion on this??? (There's a loaded question!)

Thanks...

[Jorge Sanchez]

I used to do yoga once a week. I enjoyed it and it certainly helped my flexibility. I've been meaning to start up again, but I haven't gotten around to it.

That said, I've seen some people argue that yoga promotes flexibility in all the wrong places by focusing on lumbar flexibility, which is actually a part of the body that is designed for stability. The argument goes that this can cause the potential for injury - kind of like if you were to bend a paper clip back and forth - especially if you are regularly loading the spine with heavy weights.

[Unreal]

I plan on starting it next week or so.

[J.C.]

Only just noticed this thread. I started a yoga course last year about the same time I got back into weight-training in a big way. The two perfectly complemented each other, as my flexibility increased, significantly helping with form and recovery in weight-training and my general strength increases helped a lot with some of the more advanced yoga positions. It felt like I was attacking my body in a much more holistic way and has enabled me to identify and work on problem areas I otherwise probably wouldn't have noticed until it was too late. Its amazing how much just a one and a half hour session a week makes to your overall flexibility. I generally go to one class a week and then do one more session at home on my own during the week. It works well. Plus you'll find its fun to be the only big dude in a room full of yoga chicks and wimpy men. Especially once your more flexible than most of them too.

[bschatz88]

After reading this I think I'm going to try it out.

[ZenMonkey]

I dont do yoga but I do extensive stretching and ever since I started things have been great.

[Auburn]

I think yoga is good for the general population, but I'm not so sure for lifters. You want specific flexibility, not general. Excessive flexibility around a joint could actually lead to more injury. Although, it's probably better to be a little too flexible than a little too inflexible.

[sCaRz*Of*PaiN]

I do Yoga, especially for my knee. Helps keep the pain away.

I think yoga is good for the general population, but I'm not so sure for lifters. You want specific flexibility, not general. Excessive flexibility around a joint could actually lead to more injury. Although, it's probably better to be a little too flexible than a little too inflexible.

Yoga isn't about bending your legs over your head. It's actually quite peaceful and invigorating and I think it goes just fine with weightlifting.

[vanillamountain]

I do yoga a lot also - it helps me get stronger, I think, and more flexible. It's a perfect complement to the weight training IMO.

[J.C.]

I do yoga a lot also - it helps me get stronger, I think, and more flexible. It's a perfect complement to the weight training IMO.

Definitely agree. Some people have the wrong idea about yoga. I actually found that my strength helped my flexibility, as well as my flexibility helped my strength. They compliment very nicely.

[Beholder]

I finished 9 weeks of yoga, and I can say that it has helped me with some things. I got incredibly tight hamstrings to a point that it is frustrating and it has in turn gave me some minor back problems. Between Yoga and some physio I have been doing it has gotten better, but it is taking some work.