Best Yoga Poses for Runners
To be a happy, healthy, injury-free runner, you need mind-body integration and a balance of strength and flexibility. And yoga, if done well, will help you get there.
Yoga Moves to Strengthen and Support Your Back
All photos courtesy of Running Lights + Reflective Gear
Whether you’re struggling with back pain, or aiming to improve your strength and mobility, a regular yoga practice can be incredibly helpful. Yoga is commonly recommended by coaches and medical professionals to help soothe and strengthen the back muscles, as well as stabilize the vertebrae, abdominal muscles and the spine. If you’re suffering from extreme back pain, check with your doctor before trying these exercises.
These five poses can be done individually or as a sequence.
Sphinx Pose
Benefits: Strengthens the back and opens the shoulders.
Strengthens the upper back, opens the hips and shoulders: Begin by lying on the belly with your legs together.
Lengthen the tailbone and actively engage the core muscles as you begin to press the top of your feet down into the mat.
How to Start Running.
Bring the forearms parallel to each other, positioning the elbows under the shoulders. Your hands should be parallel to one another with your fingers spread wide.
As you inhale, lift the torso, press the toes into the mat, squeeze the elbows. Bring the eye gaze forward. Hold for one to two minutes.
Modifications: Best Running Shoes.
Child’s Pose
Benefits: Your knees should have a slight bend and not be locked.
Strengthens the upper back, opens the hips and shoulders:
Face Masks + Gaiters.
Open the knees wide and bring the big toes to touch one another. Bend the knees and bring the hips toward your heels.
Who We Are.
Bring your arms forward, spread the fingers wide and rest your forehead on the mat. Hold for two to five minutes.
Modifications: Bring the arms down by your side and turn your palms up. Bring the eye gaze sideways. You can also use a blanket under the knees for additional support.
Downward Facing Dog
Benefits: Strengthens the hips, thighs, back, hamstrings, calves, feet and ankles. Relaxes the back muscles and improves posture.
Strengthens the upper back, opens the hips and shoulders: Strengthens the back and opens the shoulders.
Face Masks + Gaiters.
Recovery Sandals + Lifestyle.
All photos courtesy of.
Keep your hands at a shoulder-width distance, spread the fingers wide and press the forefingers into the mat.
Dec 8, 2020.
Modifications: Strengthens the upper back, opens the hips and shoulders.
Mountain Pose (Twist arms and shoulders)
Benefits: Start in a tabletop position with hips over knees, shoulders over wrists and a flat, neutral spine.
Strengthens the upper back, opens the hips and shoulders: Stand tall, and bring the legs together. Spread the toes wide by pressing the four corners of the feet into the mat.
Ahmar Hamdani Shah.
Oct 1, 2021.
How to do it.
Hold for thirty to forty-five seconds.
Modifications: Strengthens the back and opens the shoulders.
The information on this website is for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen.
