Hi everyone!
When I tell people that I do yoga, the number one response I always get is “Oh, I can’t do that. I can’t touch my toes.” I liken that to the response people give when you say you run, “Oh, you’ll need new knees by the time your 50!” Everyone has an opinion. Well here’s mine.
Stop making excuses!
Yoga benefits everyone for stress relief, diminish aches and pains, injury prevention and a better outlook at life. Yoga is equally beneficial to runners whether you are a weekend warrior who gets in a few miles a week or you run Ultras. It’s not about touching your toes and wrapping your leg around your neck.
I’d love to be able to do a two hour yoga session every day of the week but life doesn’t allow for that right now. One way I like to sneak in a little yoga is at the end of my runs. There are five poses for post run bliss that I always do. They hit all the muscles that are stressed and fatigued the most while running – calves, hamstrings, quadriceps, lower back, and hips. I like to add Legs Up A Wall too just because it relaxes your psoas, drains blood out of your tired feet and legs and slows the body down readying for recovery.
Hold each pose except legs up a wall for a minute or more. I prefer to stay in legs up a wall for at least 10 minutes.
I was recently asked to select a couple of pieces from Macy’s activewear for women. I knew Macy’s carried the major brands like Nike and Under Armour but I’ve never noticed their Ideology brand. I’m looking forward to warmer weather so I chose a racerback tank and cropped leggings.
The tank is very cute. I love the tie dye pattern. It’s a little longer length which helps prevent flashing your goods when doing an inversions in yoga class. I like that the fit isn’t super tight and it skims the body rather than squeezes. I haven’t tried running in the tank yet as it’s still quite cold here. It’s not supportive enough on it’s own for running but just enough for yoga and other lower impact activities.
I usually have quite a difficult time finding cropped pants that fit me right. I’m short waisted and tend to either have to pull the waist up super high or have the crotch hang low. Either one really isn’t very flattering. The fit of these crops are ok. They’re a little longer in the waist than I prefer though. I wore them to yoga class and did not have to pull at the waist band once. I can see myself wearing these in yoga and running (again, if it ever gets warm enough!).
I feel comfortable in both pieces. Proof that cute workout clothes can also be functional!
What are your favorite stretches post run?
I was sent the tank and cropped leggings free of charge for my honest review.ย All opinions are my own.
I LOVE legs up the wall. That pose is just glorious.
Jamie @ Rise.Run.Mom.Repeat. recently posted..Schwan’s Product Review
I love the top and had no idea that Macy’s had an activewear line; thanks for the tip! Since I just discovered my love of Yoga, I don’t have too many favorites yet, but for after a long run, it is definitely Pigeon. I’ve been doing the Pigeon pose for a couple years once I figured out how good it was for the hips.
Anne recently posted..DREAMING
You know who loves the downward dog in this house…Teddy Bear! ๐
Kierston @candyfit recently posted..#RECIPEFRIDAY: No Carb Chicken Poppers!
I love the top!! Too cute! You must have heard me thinking about needing to stretch more! I was doing a kid’s yoga with my daughter and it was kicking my butt!! I thought to myself that I really need to ramp up the stretching! I’ll try these out!
Fancy Nancy recently posted..Fitness Friday…Race Day Goals and Chi-town Sweepstakes
Cute clothes!! My favorite yoga poses are childs pose and downward dog! Have a great weekend!
Laura@ Fit Running Mama recently posted..Exciting News!!
You’re so right about just squeezing in a few yoga moves post run. I’m gonna try it! I’m terrible at getting in a full session. Cute clothes, too!
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast recently posted..Thursday Track and Endorphin Bracelet Giveaway
Love the legs on the wall after a long run and down dog and pigeon poses are my go-to stretches after pretty much any workout period.
Heather (Where’s the Beach) recently posted..Fun Fact Friday – I AM a Runner
You look gorgeous in that outfit! I had no idea that Macy’s had their own brand of active wear, now I want to run over there today and look!
RunWiki recently posted..A Healthier Strawberry Milk
Every runner needs a little bit more yoga especially more than they think!
Kat recently posted..Green tidbits & Bulu news
I love the list of poses…this is just what I need since I have been a terrible yoga slacker this year yet want to still do some flexibility work. The tank is SO cute–really love the tie dye. One of these days the weather will allow it!
misszippy1 recently posted..The PR…
This post couldn’t be more perfect for me right now! I just got done with a run and my body is SO tight! Thanks for sharing!
probably pigeon because my hips get so tight!!
Linz @ Itz Linz recently posted..Weโre here!
I have only done yoga like three times in my life. I liked it and realized how hard it actually is! Do you do strength workouts as well as yoga? I am thinking about getting more into yoga when I move to Georgia in June and it seems like it would be a strength workout for me.
Christina @TheTinyRunner recently posted..Faith in my Friday and a Hiking Trip
Sometimes I’ll just fit in 30-40 minutes of the 1 1/2 P90X yoga and it’s still amazing. I am always sore in a good way.
Melanie @ Nutritious Eats recently posted..Friday’s Favorite Things
Cute tank!
Great reminder of how good yoga is for all of us!! After reading this earlier this morning, I actually decided that yoga would be my workout today!
Kim recently posted..What’s Your Favorite Exercise or Move?
I usually do a few sets of sun salutations after each run. Releases any stress left.
Laura recently posted..Why we Fall
I am SO bad about stretching, yet I know when I dd youga after running my IT/knees were SO much happier. Same applies to lifting now. I really need to start focusing on stretching out the muscles and maintaining flexibility as I left heavier and heavier!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted..Strange But Good Breakfast
Most definitely…yoga is great for life in general.
I don’t run. But I firmly believe in Yoga for pre and post workout work.
Airplane (a variant on Warrior3) is fabulous for runners! And those 5 stretches after a hard workout balances everything and helps with healing.
deb roby recently posted..Define a Strong Woman
I love airplane but not after a run…legs are too wobbling to balance. ๐
Those are all my favorites! Exact same ones.
Tina @ Best Body Fitness recently posted..Friday Five: Blogging Bonuses
I love doing shoulder stand after a long run to get myself inverted. And downward dog for stretching out the calves!
Gina Bhawalkar recently posted..Why I Love the 5 Miler
Great post! I have a Macy’s gift card, and I’m definitely going to check out their workout line.
You should! There’s some really cute stuff. Happy shopping!
These are definitely some of my favorite poses post-run. I also like rag doll, 3-legged dog and revolved downward dog. All feel so good after a run! That top is super cute!! I don’t think that I’ve been in Macy’s in ages. Hmmm, clearly I have some shopping to do!
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf recently posted..Friday Round-Up: Parenting, Healing and Bye-Bye Google Reader
3 legged dog – that’s a great one too!
I hadn’t either so I was shocked when I saw such cute gear. Definitely worth checking out!
your wheel pose is just wrong-arms need to be completely straight and your chest/heart in between your arms.It confounds me, why people put bad yoga poses up of themselves and then give instruction on “how to” do them. Badly I guess.
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LOVE Pigeon pose. This is right up my alley. Thanks!
Mmm, legs up the wall. I could stay all day. Happy baby and pigeon are some of my faves too ๐
P.S. Cute outfit!
TriGirl recently posted..This *is* a Triathlon Blog…isn’t it?
What a good reminder! I’ve made it a goal to do a daily yoga practice this year, and your post is a great suggestion on another way to fit it in. Of course I will also work to include some full-length classes or videos, but a big help on days when that just won’t happen.
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