Running (and Breathing) For Your Life
I read the other day that the total outflow from the Amazon River could fill Lake Ontario in three hours. Three hours!
That’s the kind of ‘inflow’ I’ve had the last few months. ;-)) It’s all good, but there has been a lot of it. And even good stress (eustress) is stress.
Normally I use a combination of my Runner’s Yoga, and running with poles (very fragile knee) to keep me mentally and physically sound during super busy times.
I’m still doing the 30-minute Runner’s Yoga routine regularly and soooo grateful I have it. But it’s icy outside these days (I live in Whistler, in the mountains in western Canada), so I’ve decided running isn’t worth the risk to my knee.
But I miss it. So I’ve started skipping. And although it’s not like a run (what is?) it’s okay. So far, my knee is tolerating it. And as long as I pay very close attention to messages from my temperamental calf muscles, I’m building some endurance.
The Core Breathing (special yoga breathing) plays a crucial role in that ‘listening’ aspect. It keeps me in tune with what different parts of my body are telling me. I believe it is an aspect of yoga that can play a huge role in preventing injuries in ALL athletes. Which is why I teach it to every athlete I work with. (World Cup Downhill skier Britt Janyk told me the other day she’s still using it in the start gate.)
Look into it if you haven’t already. (The free lessons you can get at runnersyoga.com give a short intro.)
Cheers!
Van
How I Lost Thirty Pounds in Thirty Days said,
Wrote on May 3, 2009 @ 4:32 pm
Hi, good post. I have been thinking about this issue,so thanks for sharing. I’ll definitely be subscribing to your posts.
Crystal Singing Bowls said,
Wrote on May 5, 2009 @ 8:04 am
I just found your blog. Great articles and well written. Thanks for all the info. Namaste!
admin said,
Wrote on July 29, 2009 @ 1:18 pm
Just finished teaching Runner’s Yoga to the BC Men’s Ski Team and Coach Jordan Williams and I concurred that proper breathing is one of the most valuable things for the guys on the team to learn.
It’s the link between the mind and the body, and in the East they believe if you can control your breath, you can control your mind! (Which is why breathing techniques play such an integral role in meditation techniques.)
Van
admin said,
Wrote on July 29, 2009 @ 1:21 pm
Thanks! And Namaste right back at you ;-))
I loved walking around in Nepal greeting everyone with “Namaste”. Even the hardened combat soldiers would reply with a smile and “Namaste”. Might make the world a friendlier place if we all used it.
Van