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Content Type: ArticleContent Title: Yoga and CrossFit

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When you think of CrossFit, you think intense bursts of motion, heavy breathing, racing the clock, and pushing your body to the limit. Yoga, on the other hand, conjures images of calm, Zen-like faces with bodies gracefully moving and stretching slowly in sy nchroni zat ion whi le breathing deeply and ever so quietly. So, can these two seemingly incompat-ible activities really work together to use all the fundamental elements to create overall fitness?

Indeed! This is not just my humble opinion as a yoga instructor and personal trainer. It is

Yoga and CrossFit: Yin to the Yang

an opinion gaining widespread support from fitness professionals worldwide as the CrossFit trend grows. Many CrossFit gyms offer yoga

classes to promote flexibility, mental focus, injury preven-tion, and repair to worn-out muscles. Yoga is the yin to CrossFit’s yang: Yet rather than oppose one another, they combine physical and mental balance as any great relationship should. While one is done fast and hard in a competitive atmosphere, the other provides insight into the current state of af-

fairs within, or “internal focus,” so that areas in need of strengthening or rehabilitation can be recognized and improved.

by rosanna shillolo

I've come to realize that the bigger the doubter, the better the connection made to the many benefits of yoga, even after

just one class.

Photos by Francy Forte Forte in Focus Photography www.forteinfocusphotography.ca

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article > Yoga and CrossFit: Yin to the Yang

Balance, agility, flexibility, and strength, along with range of motion, breath control and men-tal focus, are vital elements necessary for the athletic body to perform well. Yoga promotes core strength through the “powerhouse” group of muscles to assist in all functional activity. A strong core offers increased stability, balance and much-needed protection for the back. Likewise, the foundation exercises you’ll en-counter in any given WOD are best performed when working from the inner core muscles to the outward extremities. Incorporate a regular yoga practice into your workout regimen and watch your times diminish and your form improve.

CrossFitters new to yoga often underestimate how challenging and powerful it can be. Yoga doesn’t just stretch and lengthen muscles, it strengthens all the muscles, includ-ing the heart, so there is even a cardiovascular benefit. Initially you may be surprised to real-ize your heart rate can elevate considerably while holding a difficult pose. When muscle groups are engaged and coordinate, they require steady breathing and concentration to fuel the maintenance of a position.

You know what feels really awesome after literally going balls to the wall? Taking your sore, exhausted, panting body to the mat to slow things down, letting your mind relax and giving your aching body some much needed TLC. I bear witness to the eye rolls and initial reluctant attitudes from those crossing over to the yoga studio from the gym for the first time. I’ve come to realize that the bigger the

doubter, the better the con-nection made to the many benefits of yoga, even after just one class. Think of a yoga mat as a metaphor for a body shop: The postures and poses practiced there help realign and correct imbalances to bring about symmetry while fostering a better awareness of safe movement and healthy mind-body communica-

tion. It is important to learn to respond to the messages your body sends and never push through pain.

So there is much more to it than looking hot in tight pants, although this comes much easier once you adapt and expand your realm of fitness to include the many benefits of yoga.

Incorporate a regular yoga practice into

your workout regimen and watch your times

diminish and your form improve.