Most people re unaware of the correct biomechanics of the body, and when they take up strength training to gain muscle endurance, it leads to a lot of injuries or reduction in flexibility
Yoga and strength training together are a good combination to enhance fitness. During strength training, most of the time, a person is not able to maintain his/her right posture, physical centering and movements, which leads to slower blood circulation in the muscles, stiffness and lack of oxygen. Doing yoga along with strength training promotes easy lubrication, lengthening and strengthening of muscles.
The benefits of the combo are — an increase in flexibility, body balance concentration, release of stress, an increase in strength adaptation and muscle endurance, reduction in the risk of injury and enhancement of overall fitness.
Anybody can add stretching to strength training in between sets, but it should be remembered that one should not do static stretches before a workout; only dynamic stretching should be done pre-workout when doing strength training and yoga together.
After an intensive session of strength training, one’s heart rate and respiration are slightly high, and there is some blood pulling, muscle strain and spasm in one’s muscles or joints. It then becomes necessary to add a yoga stretch for specific muscles and associated joints, so as to increase the oxygen circulation in the body.
If one does strength training followed by yoga, the yoga moves should be flowy; never do jerky and bouncy movements. The yoga moves / stretching can be done during the strength training session, after the session or some other time the same day. Another way of doing it is to do three days of strength training and three days of yoga training.
SteelFlexx ®, a combination of yoga and strength, that isolates used muscles and increases flexibility, is an extreme stretching routine, beyond Power Yoga.
It incorporates yoga’s dynamic and static stretching with the use of dumbbells and other props to stretch specific areas to extreme levels. SteelFlexx® emphasises on biomechanics (movements friendly with the joints and connective tissues of the body), body postures and breathing.
However, persons with any medical challenge, or other physical limitations should consult with doctors or a certified professional before trying SteelFlexx®.
Neeraj Mehta is the director of GFFI Fitness Academy.
neeraj.gffi@hotmail.com
