Let’s talk about CrossFit and Yoga!
What is the overall goal of CrossFit? The aim of CrossFit is to have a broad, general and inclusive adaption in fitness.
It’s the ability to be good at every challenge presented with.
CrossFit is not a specialized fitness program but a deliberate attempt to optimize physical competence in each of ten recognized fitness domains.
They are Cardiovascular and Respiratory endurance, Stamina, Strength, Flexibility, Power, Speed, Coordination, Agility, Balance, and Accuracy. You need to find a balance of all these areas and be good at all of them, with that being said one of the biggest things people forget is the flexibility aspect.
Sure you see CrossFit as strength training, endurance, going full throttle, and short met-cons but what you don’t normally see are Yoga WODs or flexibility training. However, they are very important in the goal of CrossFit.
Yoga Is The Perfect Supplemental Activity For Your Body
With the demands that CrossFit puts on your body, yoga is the perfect supplemental activity for you to try in order to stretch out, limber your muscle and really develop a sense of grounding to calm your body!
Here are some GREAT reasons as to why yoga fits in so well with CrossFit and why you should incorporate it into your routine!
- It allows you to connect your body and mind together. This deliberate movement through yoga will help to balance and calm the mind making you aware of the NOW. It has the ability to capture the moment in that time frame through stillness and quiet.
- Added stretching that you wouldn’t do on your own time is a great benefit. With your muscles working extremely hard throughout the week, adding in a yoga session to really release the tension in the muscle to help repair and rebuild in critical in getting stronger.
- In a yoga class you will hear instructors talking about paying attention only to you and not what the people around you are doing or are capable of. The same with CrossFit, you want to inspire others while improving your own fitness goals.
- Yoga has the ability to make squatting and lunges seem way harder than what your doing in a WOD. Also finding out what you are not great at (balance poses or flexibility poses like the Eagle) can be challenging in other aspects of fitness. It amazes me how strong you can be and a simple stretch can have you shaking in seconds.
- Yoga adds a new element of surprise to your training. It has a different way to tax and stimulate the body, mind and muscles that you use. Nothing helps heal the body than to calm the mind and focus on what your body is saying to you.
I highly recommend that you try a class, but before you do here is a list of some great yoga items to bring with you to class to make you feel the most comfortable in an uncomfortable position!! Be sure to check them all out!!
Great Yoga Gear For CrossFit
Reebok Yoga Mat– Having your own mat is the perfect way to bring your yoga practice with you anywhere you go.
Yoga Striped Bra– Flexibility meets fashion in this yoga-focused bra top keeping you cool and comfortable for all your sun salutations.
Yoga Capri ( pineapple ) -The fitted shape,energizing print and sweat-wicking design make all your poses look effortless
Reebok ONE Series Studio Tote-Having an awesome tote that can fit your workout clothes, hold your accessories and stylish enough to take from the gym to on the go is the perfect way to carry your gear.