I’ve never been the biggest fan of yoga. Yes, I do it from time to time, but only when I feel like I need a good stretch. I’ll go for long periods of time where I might do it consistently, but I inevitably drift away from it. I think it offers great benefits and whatnot, but it’s just not my jam. I’m totally happy with my non-committal relationship with yoga.
Last week, though, I had a new experience with yoga. As I moved into various poses in my 20 minute Vinyasa sequence, a peculiar thing happened: I could feel my muscles moving and supporting me. No, not like a “holy crap my muscles are burning from holding this pose!” It was more like I could feel the muscle fibers working and stretching. Don’t let this idea gross you out… it was a revelation!
I attribute this new sensation to the weight training I’ve been doing. In just a few short weeks, I have become the biggest fan of that damn weight room that has intimidated me for years! I love the type of exertion that lifting offers; I feel accomplished, strong, sexy and downright bad ass after a weight workout. I’m starting to see results, and my yoga session helped me feel results, too.
That’s how much I’m loving lifting: I’m posing in the bathroom mirror now to look at my baby muscles. Don’t laugh at me. Also, don’t laugh at my cat iPhone case.
It only makes sense: as my muscles get stronger, my yoga poses and movements get better. In a particular variation of the side plank which features a graceful backbend (pictured below) during last week’s Vinyasa sesh, I felt like a freaking goddess. No really, I did. While I usually wobble a bit and worry about tweaking my back in this pose, I had no such fears this time. I didn’t wobble and my back felt awesome.
Side Plank Variation with Back Bend (source)
In my next weight workout (leg day) following this yoga experience, I noticed my squats were looking better. I realized that my hip flexors felt more limber due to my yoga from the other day (I have tight hips all the time, since I was, like, born. It causes problems everywhere I go). Less tight, stronger hip flexors = more squat in my squats. Huzzah!
Tonight I did an hour long yoga session. It was more Iyengar than Vinyasa and, while I experienced some of the same muscle-power effects as last time, I think I just like Vinyasa more… it’s much more fluid. Anyway, I think I’m going to try and make yoga a more regular thing in my workout schedule because I’m loving the symbiotic effects it’s having in conjunction with my weight training: better weight training –> better yoga –> better weight training –> better Maggie.
Do you do yoga? What’s your favorite kind of yoga?
Of Possible Interest:
Why Should I Lift Weight? (Linday’s List)
Bulking [Why Women Should Lift] (On the Go Fitness)
Yoga: Enhancing the Art of Bodybuilding to Supercharge Your Workouts (BodyBuilding.com)
