Flexibility, Balance, Breathing and…Yoga? Part 1

Over the next couple days I will be discussing some of the pros of yoga.  As we all know, yoga practitioners are known for their flexibility and balance, but how can it help the average, or even above average CrossFitter? 

CrossFit defines fitness with three standards; the Ten General Physical Skills of Fitness, the Hopper and the Metabolic Pathways.  Each day we experience the Hopper. The morning classes do not find out the workout until they get there or they check the website.  Thus every day we are treated to another surprise WOD from the CrossFit bank of constantly varied functional movements.  We always hit the different metabolic pathways with either the heavy lifting or the daily WOD  (refer to the graph on the board in the lifting area for the pathways).  Now, let’s look at the Ten General Physical Skills…

 

1.   Cardiovascular/respiratory Endurance

2.   Stamina

3.   Strength

4.   Flexibility

5.   Power

6.   Speed

7.   Coordination

8.   Agility

9.   Balance

10.  Accuracy

 

For the most part we hit each one of these every day.  However, some are a bit neglected.  The neglected are called upon only when needed and often fail us.  Two of the most commonly neglected physical skills are flexibility and balance.  Here I will discuss why we need flexibility and balance, not only for our general fitness, but how they will help your other 8 physical skills.  Also I will discuss how yoga will help with each of these general physical skills.

 

I will use the definitions from the October 2002 CrossFit Journal to provide a better explanation and understanding.

 

Cardiovascular/Respiratory – The ability of body systems to gather, process, and deliver oxygen.

    When programming a Met Con, I often look to hit this skill, and as all of you know, we usually hit it well.  However, we need to take a further look into this.  Greg is constantly saying, “Work Hard, Breath Slow,” instead of panting and wheezing through each WOD.  Being able to control your breathing will increase your ability to gather oxygen.  Right away we see one benefit of yoga; one of the things you will experience in a yoga class will be steady, controlled breathing.  For any of you that have not participated in a yoga class probably think, “Yoga is low intensity, how will that breathing help with my ability to breath during Fran?”  In different positions it becomes very difficult to breathe while holding proper form.  By practicing your breathing, it will become second nature to control your breathing during Fran as opposed to being hindered by it.

Tomorrow, I will continue on the benefits of yoga.  Please comment on the post with questions or insights.  And now for the daily heavy lifting and WOD.

Heavy Lifting - Snatch 5x1

WOD -  3 Rounds

   10 - Max Distance Broad Jumps

   20 - Kettlebell Swings

   30 - Push Ups

Comments

[jerf]

Going to yoga at 5:30 in Saugerties.