Contrary to my posted image, I do not hate yoga. Actually, I quite enjoy yoga because it is calming and it does help develop some body strength and flexibility. On the other hand, I am not the biggest fans of yoga instructors. I realize that the yoga philosophy and practice is to release tension and to focus on balance and healing the body; however, I find it difficult to find equanimity while I'm trying to twist my body into human pretzel. So... as far as aligning my inner chakras goes (or whatever that means) - I think I'll leave that to the yogis - but for other reasons, I don't believe I will abandon yoga just yet.In terms of comparison, CrossFit and yoga are polar opposites. They are the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde of exercise: "Hello Intensity. Meet Calmness." Arguably though, I believe that my yoga practice has, in some cases, helped me with my CrossFitting. For example, like I mentioned before, yoga increases flexibility. Increased flexibility will help you correct form on certain lifts and other exercises. Also, yoga helps build strength, particularly in your core and your back. In fact, the only reason I can do planks well is because I used to do them constantly as a part of my yoga practice. Regardless of my own plank ability, a strong core is necessary for so many of the exercises we do as CrossFitters. In addition, yoga helps you increase your grip strength, endurance and joint-range of motion as well as helps improves some of the following:
- Cardiovascular efficiency
- Depth perception
- Reaction time
- Sleep
- Balance
- Integrated functioning of body parts
There are whole lists out there advocating the psychical and psychological (yes, here we get back to that whole idea of "equanimity" thing) benefits of yoga, which I will not get into or bore you with. Moreover, I'm not going to sit here and tell you that you need to make yoga a regular part of your CrossFitting. Some parts of yoga are already a part of your CrossFit workout regime (think planks, handstands and other stretching exercises - granted, it's not a lot but it's something). Regardless, if you are looking to increase your flexibility on a large scale, adding some yoga to your regular workout regime may be the way to go. (I used to be about as flexible as a piece of concrete and yoga has helped me considerably.) However, if you do decide to give yoga a try, just remember that you have no right to get angry with me because I warned you about the aligning of your chakras mumbo jumbo. Besides, if you try yoga, you're not supposed to be mad anyway. Unleash your fury in standing tree position - don't direct it towards me.
