Guest guest Posted August 17, 2004 Report Share Posted August 17, 2004 Steve, if you were looking for something compatible with running, yoga is indeed the thing. Running tightens the hamstrings and hip areas tremendously. I started Ashtanga a year ago but before that was doing Iyengar and regular stretching for at least a year if not more to begin to "undo" the tightness I'd developed while I was a runner (and I was a runner who stretched regularly and a lot because I like it). With Ashtanga you will notice the hamstring and hip tighness moreso but it will also get at those areas more quickly. If you continue running while developing your Ashtanga practice from my experience you will be fighting an uphill battle so to speak. However, if running were a priority, Ashtanga would be a great compliment because it would keep the tighness from getting worse and you would indeed eventually notice progress; it would just take time. On the other hand, you posts seems to imply that Ashtanga is the priority for you, and that you are looking for something compatible with it rather than the other way around. I cycle, well spinning actually, and it does work the hamstrings and quads a lot, though not as much as with running IME. I also swim, which I find tends to tighten my lats most noticeably so I have to pay attention to keeping those from getting too tight. In the year that I've been practicing Ashtanga I have not found either to hinder my progress too much. But what's acceptable to one may not be acceptable to another. There is also the belief that one doesn't need to do any other kind of exercise if they're doing Ashtanga regularly. ashtanga yoga, "steviedeeee" <STEVENDEUTSCH@h...> wrote: > Hi all, > > This is my first post. I've recently started private instruction in > Ashtanga. My hamstrings are very tight due at least in part to my > daily running routine. My instructor says that overcoming the > hamstring issue is almost impossible with runners and that if one is > dedicated to aerobic activity, cycling is easier on the body and > specifically the hamstrings. Does anybody out there have experience > with this? Is there a way to overcome tight hamstrings caused by > running? Is cycling more compatible with yoga? > > Thanks, > > Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 18, 2004 Report Share Posted August 18, 2004 Hi Steve Coming from a running back ground of over 20 years, tight hamstrings have always been a constant companion. I've been doing yoga for nearly 4 years now, and still run daily. It took some time to loosen up, and believeing me, they are still long way from being loose, although the difference is incredible. I think you have to work with it. Use modifications ie. bend you knees in the poses, and don't rush it as it will take time. I've had over enthusiastic teachers over stretch my hamstrings in adjustments, and you end up paying for it for a long time. The argument with running vs cycling - sure cycling will put less stress on your hamstrings however you develop tighness in other areas, and if you are after aerobic benefit there use to be a formula that you needed to do 2 to 3 times the amount of cycling to get the same aerobic benefit as running. This is what I've experienced, I'm no expert, so just enjoy and find a nice balance between the two. Regards jamie ashtanga yoga, "steviedeeee" <STEVENDEUTSCH@h...> wrote: > Hi all, > > This is my first post. I've recently started private instruction in > Ashtanga. My hamstrings are very tight due at least in part to my > daily running routine. My instructor says that overcoming the > hamstring issue is almost impossible with runners and that if one is > dedicated to aerobic activity, cycling is easier on the body and > specifically the hamstrings. Does anybody out there have experience > with this? Is there a way to overcome tight hamstrings caused by > running? Is cycling more compatible with yoga? > > Thanks, > > Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 18, 2004 Report Share Posted August 18, 2004 Thanks all for your feedback. It seems as though this is a real problem but not insurmountable. My focus these days is definitely on yoga so I will be reducing my running a bit, throwing in a little cycling and stretching deeply after each. Thanks again. Steve ashtanga yoga, "steviedeeee" <STEVENDEUTSCH@h...> wrote: > Hi all, > > This is my first post. I've recently started private instruction in > Ashtanga. My hamstrings are very tight due at least in part to my > daily running routine. My instructor says that overcoming the > hamstring issue is almost impossible with runners and that if one is > dedicated to aerobic activity, cycling is easier on the body and > specifically the hamstrings. Does anybody out there have experience > with this? Is there a way to overcome tight hamstrings caused by > running? Is cycling more compatible with yoga? > > Thanks, > > Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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