YOGA FOR BODYBUILDERS
By Brooke Clark Certified Life Coach and Certified Personal Trainer
WANT TO MANAGE STRESS , IMPROVE YOUR FLEXIBILITY AND INCREASE STRENGTH ? DO YOGA .
Practicing yoga is so beneficial for bodybuilders . It strengthens your tendons and joints to help prevent injury during heavy weightlifting or intense cardio sessions . It gives you more control over your muscles for a better muscle-mind connection and it ’ ll improve your circulation for a bigger and better pump in the gym .
Bodybuilding alone has its benefits too , but it causes a lot of physical and mental stress . If you don ’ t have another outlet to alleviate the stress , it can lead to mental health issues like depression or anxiety . Yoga reduces stress by engaging your body and mind at the same time . Certain poses increase blood flow to your brain to help you relax and control your emotions . Here are some of my favourite yoga poses for bodybuilders :
• Downward dog to increase blood flow and release tension
• Cobra pose for lower back pain and improved circulation
• Child ’ s pose to stretch the hips and spine
• Tree pose to improve balance and posture
• Spinal twist for hip and back flexibility
• Forward bend to stretch the hamstrings and calm the mind
• Plank pose for spine stability and core strength
If you ’ d like to do a class , there are two common types to try . Hatha yoga focuses on stretching , flexibility and breathing . This type is great for beginners . Bikram yoga is hot yoga and adds elements of meditation and detoxification . It ’ s more challenging due to the temperature of the room . Both types of yoga will improve circulation , balance , decrease pain , reduce stress and increase flexibility .
I recommend practicing twice a week for 15-20 minutes to start . The more often you do it , the better you ’ ll feel . You ’ ll be more flexible , feel stronger , sleep better and have more peace of mind .
Brooke
fitnowinc
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