Yoga is about much more that the just the physical postures that you often see portrayed in the media.   These poses (asana) are beneficial for runners as they help to stretch and strengthen key running muscles, including the hamstrings hip flexors.  However, if we just do these practices, we are missing out on some of the much wider benefits of yoga, which can help make us better runners.
The Pranayama (Breathing Exercises) are a great way to refocus and settle into the RunYoga Class.
All RunYoga Classes incorporate the following four key yoga practices to ensure that runners get the optimal benefit from their yoga practice...
  • Pranayama (Breathing Exercises) - Better breath control to help stay focussed and improve running performance.
  • Flexibilities (Warm up) - Improve range of motion in key running joints, including the hips, knees, ankles and shoulders.
  • Asana (Yoga Postures) - stretch and strengthen key running muscles.
  • Relaxation (Chill out) - Release tension in areas where it tends to build up after long periods of running.

Pranayama (Breathing Exercises)

Breathing is one of the few bodily functions, which, within limits, can be controlled both consciously and unconsciously. In yoga, pranayama exercises are used to bring awareness to, and help control the breath.  

Your breath is vital to your running performance so Pranayama practice can also be very useful for runners in a number of different ways...
Physical
  • Improves lung capacity as breathing becomes deeper and more rhythmic.
  • Improves respiratory function by increasing the oxygen supply to the blood.  This can boost running performance and endurance and help aid recovery.
  • Supports good running posture.
Mental
  • ​Helps you to "tune in"  to your breath and establish the relationship between your body and your breath.
  • Helps establish a rhythmic breathing pattern to support your running pace.
  • Provides an alternative point of focus when you are finding running challenging.
Emotional
  • Clears the mind, allowing you to focus on your running goals and challenges.
  • Provides an opportunity to reconnect with yourself and what is happening in the present moment as you are running (Mindfulness).
The following ten-minute Audio "Exploring the Breath" allows you to explore the rhythm and nature of your breath and provides a great introduction into the type of Pranayama practices that are included in RunYoga classes.
To develop your yoga practice further to help make you a better runner, the RunYoga Online Stretch Challenge (starting on 14th January 2017) includes four more Pranayama exercises like this one, as part of FOUR online RunYoga classes.  Take the challenge to become a better uneer in 2017.

Relaxation

Many runners come along to RunYoga classes to help stretch out their tight runing muscles.  A recent RunYoga Survey indicated that 80% of RunYoga students enjoyed the relaxation just as much as the regular asana practice.  

​As busy runners we don't often take the time to just relax, chill out and give ourselves a break.  Every RunYoga class incorporates a 10-15 minute relaxation at the end of the class to help integrate the benefits of RunYoga.  
What do you like about RunYoga classes?
The relaxation ensures that you complete the practice feeling rejuvenated.  Regular relaxation  exercises will ensure that you are ready to take on your next running challenge.
The following ten-minute Audio "Body Scan Relaxation" is a classic yoga relaxation which allows you to "let go" of tension throughout your body.
The RunYoga Online Stretch Challenge (starting on 14th January 2017) includes four more Relaxation practices, which also include running visualisation exercises which will to help you focus on becoming a better runner in 2017.

RunYoga Online Stretch Challenge

A One-month Online RunYoga Programme (starting 14th January 2017) to help you become a better runner in 2017.

​The RunYoga Stretch Challenge includes four different online modules, each of which focuses on stretching a different set of key running muscles.
Each of the four modules focuses on a different set of key running muscles
Like all RunYoga classes, each of the RunYoga Stretch Challenge Modules incorporates breathing exercises (pranayama), flexibility exercises, the more traditional yoga asana practice (yoga poses) and relaxation.