In addition to yoga, running is one of the most effective sports to physically maintain the body. Just as with yoga, you do not have to be a trained runner immediately if you want to experience the benefits of running. Regularly a short morning run or running during your lunch break all contribute to the many health benefits that this sport provides.

This video shows the effect of running on the body:

Seven muscle groups

You use more than seven muscle groups during running. The video (with a robot voice-over) below shows that you use the muscles in the lower body during running, namely: hips, hamstrings, quadriceps (thigh muscle), glutus maximus (large buttock muscle) and the calves. The biceps (upper arm muscles) and part of the abdominal muscles have a supporting function during your run. 

Benefits of yoga for running

These muscle groups and joints have to endure a lot when you are running, even if you are a trained runner. It is therefore always important to do a good warming up and cooling down, so that your body can recover well and remains injury-free. Yoga can be an enormous added value for every runner. Not only do yoga poses contribute to a faster recovery, it prevents injuries. In addition, by regularly practicing yoga the muscles and joints can function (even) better; so improving your personal record is within running distance.

In addition to practicing yoga, I am a runner and have listed a number of yoga poses that my runs benefit from:

Yoga For Runners – Back Special
This video is 9 minutes and show you 6 yoga poses that your back will benefit from: 

https://youtu.be/UTu1tV8Ps04

Yoga For Runners – Hip Special
This video is 7 minutes and shows you 9 yoga poses that your hips will benefit from:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46LctStOSsA&feature=youtu.be

Yoga For Runners – Leg Special (9 min)
Watch this video below and find out which yoga poses are good for your legs:

https://youtu.be/N2_WpIpfVzI

More information about yoga and running? Go to the blogs of Esther on her website.