Laura Denham Jones
yoga for runners:
sun salutations for athletes
fri 17 february 2012 7.30pm – 9.30pm
Runners and athletes sometimes ask whether it’s advisable to
practise yoga asana before their run to loosen the body before
heading out the door. While it’s not a good idea to plunge into
deep muscle lengthening poses without increasing circulation first,
the yoga sun salutation, which itself increases heart rate and
heat, offers a wonderful pre-run practice to runners. The genealogy
of the modern sun salutation is not entirely known, but the
benefits are without question.
Like running, the sun salutation (surya namaskar) is about getting
into a fluid, repetitive rhythm with your breathing, patterns which
becomes meditative and grounding. Physically sun salutations
develop upper body and core strength, and use the legs in weight
bearing and balance in a way similar to running, but in slower
motion, developing muscular endurance and correct alignment. The
spine can be moved into gentle backbends and rotations,
strengthening its shock absorbing qualities. The synchronicity of
breath and movement and changes of body position develop balance,
coordination and agility, sharpening motor skills for
athletes.
In this workshop we will look briefly at the origins of the sun
salutation and its relationship to practices found in other forms
of physical culture. We’ll break down the components of a number of
versions of surya namaskar, focussing on good alignment and form
and correct breathing. Then we’ll run through a number of
variations from classical and simple to athletically creative and
challenging, with a few surprises and departures from tradition.
Come and discover the free invisible gym that lies in the space
between body and earth.
Laura Denham-Jones began practising yoga in 1985. A keen
recreational runner for 20 years, she has competed in races from 5K
to marathon. She has been teaching yoga for runners and athletes
workshops since 2003 and offers these regularly at triyoga. Laura
also teaches yoga for sports and runners class at triyoga Chelsea
and is a fully qualified Pilates matwork teacher.
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