Finding Yoga in your CrossFit
“Research shows that the two types of individuals most prone to injury are individuals who are too flexible and individuals that are too tight. The first causes laxity in the joint, the latter causes problems such as loss of range of motion and pulling of the musculature on the skeletal structure causing improper alignment. With that said, I would recommend an individual supplement CrossFit with a yoga practice about twice a week. More for those who are naturally more rigid and tight as these individuals are more prone to injury.” – Megan Combies, CrossFit and Yoga coach in Santa Cruz, CA1
When people look at me, I presume the last thing they are thinking is, “oh yeah, that chick’s a yoga teacher,” or “that girl definitely does CrossFit.” And I guarantee that no one is thinking both. Well, well, well, don’t you feel sheepish.
YAMA - Satya: Truthfulness; non-telling of lies. Satya guides us toward truthfulness of thought, truthfulness of speech, and truthfulness in deed.
The BackgroundI’m loud, spastic, buxom, and clumsy with a penchant to get feisty once you’ve got me going. I have a background in yogic philosophy, which at times will cool me down, but I firmly believe in the here and now. I don’t practice yoga to change that fact—it’s rare that you’ll find me as a silent sister in lotus position for very long—but I use it to bring out the absolute best in the eclectic chaos that is Me (ie. giggling with my students in Happy Baby Pose). It’s through this self-aware yoga practice that I was confronted with the need (read: burning desire!) for more strength in my life: strength of body, strength of purpose, and strength of heart. Enter: CrossFit and my passion to prove to the world that Yogis and CrossFitters are squatting for the same higher purpose!
The “Cute Meet”It was such a whim at the time; it’s almost comical to see what it has become. A friend says she needs a buddy to try out this new gym, there’s a Groupon/Coupon/LivingSocial/SuperDeal that will make it worth my while, and the gym is in my old neck-of-the-woods…I couldn’t refuse. Then I walk into a garage full of weights dropping, music pumping, and scores on the wall…needless to say, I was out my element.
But the voice inside said,
“Remember that crap you learned about not judging others upon first glance? Rachel it’s not crap, it’s the way to live an honest, balanced, respectful life. Yeah, yeah…”
YAMA - Ahimsa: Non-violence, non-injury. Kindness and non-violence towards all living things; it respects living beings as a unity, the belief that all living things are connected.
After I was done talking to myself, my group did some basic training with PVC pipe (so a girl like me doesn’t break herself) and was put through a workout of burpees, wallballs and box jumps that I thought might kill me. But unlike the warnings I was given about the aggression I would find there, not once through the entire work out was I yelled at, made to feel inadequate, or pushed beyond my limits. The Strapping, Young Trainer—Tommy—watched us closely and even provided some personalized advice when I told him about an old hip injury. The greatest thing, however, happened afterward. Everyone was smiling! They were out of breath, yes… but feeling completely awesome. It seemed like the room was filled with people learning something new about themselves and they loved it.
NIYAMA - Svadhyaya: Self-education, education of the Self, which leads to introspection on a greater awakening to the soul and God within.
Then across the box (yes, I’ve learned it’s called the “box”), where the seasoned CrossFitters were doing the actual WOD, words of encouragement came flying in our direction! I’m fairly certain I was given six high-fives and by the end of that hour, I’d made three promises to come back the next day feeling utterly content.
NIYAMA - Santosha: Satisfaction; satisfied with what one has; contentment.
So, I know what you’re saying: I see you putting Yoga in the CrossFit…now how does one get CrossFit in the Yoga? Well once Strapping Young Trainer Tommy and Spunky Fit Trainer Maggie mentioned trying a yoga class that was all I needed. I’ll admit my heart sank as those first classes were lightly attended, but I had to trust that the proof would be in the pudding once people were willing to do as I did on my first day and leave their pre-existing fears at the door.
NIYAMA - Ishvarapranidhana: Surrender of the ego, connecting to the divine within. It is about the quality of intention that we bring to our actions.
The reality arrived during a class of just me and four fellas (two of which were completely new to yoga). A day when we all could have succumbed to our self-conscious moments, but instead we laughed, gave some awkward sighs and finished up with a blissful relaxation. Later that week, two of those fine gentlemen shared how they looked up yoga poses to do at home between classes because they were feeling the difference. (Let’s just say, I walked with a little more bounce in my step that day!)
The Future
I can honestly see it in myself as well as in my students. The flexibility offered by incorporating yoga more regularly can make all the difference in the WOD. Think about the ease with which you guide your body through a Power Snatch or a Clean & Jerk after practicing your breathing through a Sun Salutation. Balance becomes second nature no matter how much weight you add when you master Natarajasana, Dancer Pose. And I can assure you that NO ONE will complain about adding that final yoga pose, Savanasa, into their weekly (preferably daily) routine.
“By becoming more aware of your body, it becomes much easier to find ways to help your body function better both in and out of the gym. Yoga is a great compliment to your CrossFit workout. It can help you bring your workouts to the next level, at the same time it will help reduce stress, calm the mind and release
your body “ – crossfityoga.com3
Together, CrossFit and Yoga are the perfect pair; complementing each other in their differences while maintaining similar purpose.
NIYAMA - Tapas: Austerity, self-discipline, burning desire, motivation, dedication.
The first two limbs [of yoga] that Patanjali describes are the fundamental ethical precepts called yamas, and the niyamas. These can also be looked at as universal morality and personal observances.2
***
YAMA - Satya: Truthfulness; non-telling of lies. Satya guides us toward truthfulness of thought, truthfulness of speech, and truthfulness in deed.
The BackgroundI’m loud, spastic, buxom, and clumsy with a penchant to get feisty once you’ve got me going. I have a background in yogic philosophy, which at times will cool me down, but I firmly believe in the here and now. I don’t practice yoga to change that fact—it’s rare that you’ll find me as a silent sister in lotus position for very long—but I use it to bring out the absolute best in the eclectic chaos that is Me (ie. giggling with my students in Happy Baby Pose). It’s through this self-aware yoga practice that I was confronted with the need (read: burning desire!) for more strength in my life: strength of body, strength of purpose, and strength of heart. Enter: CrossFit and my passion to prove to the world that Yogis and CrossFitters are squatting for the same higher purpose!
The “Cute Meet”It was such a whim at the time; it’s almost comical to see what it has become. A friend says she needs a buddy to try out this new gym, there’s a Groupon/Coupon/LivingSocial/SuperDeal that will make it worth my while, and the gym is in my old neck-of-the-woods…I couldn’t refuse. Then I walk into a garage full of weights dropping, music pumping, and scores on the wall…needless to say, I was out my element.
But the voice inside said,
“Remember that crap you learned about not judging others upon first glance? Rachel it’s not crap, it’s the way to live an honest, balanced, respectful life. Yeah, yeah…”
YAMA - Ahimsa: Non-violence, non-injury. Kindness and non-violence towards all living things; it respects living beings as a unity, the belief that all living things are connected.
After I was done talking to myself, my group did some basic training with PVC pipe (so a girl like me doesn’t break herself) and was put through a workout of burpees, wallballs and box jumps that I thought might kill me. But unlike the warnings I was given about the aggression I would find there, not once through the entire work out was I yelled at, made to feel inadequate, or pushed beyond my limits. The Strapping, Young Trainer—Tommy—watched us closely and even provided some personalized advice when I told him about an old hip injury. The greatest thing, however, happened afterward. Everyone was smiling! They were out of breath, yes… but feeling completely awesome. It seemed like the room was filled with people learning something new about themselves and they loved it.
NIYAMA - Svadhyaya: Self-education, education of the Self, which leads to introspection on a greater awakening to the soul and God within.
Then across the box (yes, I’ve learned it’s called the “box”), where the seasoned CrossFitters were doing the actual WOD, words of encouragement came flying in our direction! I’m fairly certain I was given six high-fives and by the end of that hour, I’d made three promises to come back the next day feeling utterly content.
NIYAMA - Santosha: Satisfaction; satisfied with what one has; contentment.
So, I know what you’re saying: I see you putting Yoga in the CrossFit…now how does one get CrossFit in the Yoga? Well once Strapping Young Trainer Tommy and Spunky Fit Trainer Maggie mentioned trying a yoga class that was all I needed. I’ll admit my heart sank as those first classes were lightly attended, but I had to trust that the proof would be in the pudding once people were willing to do as I did on my first day and leave their pre-existing fears at the door.
NIYAMA - Ishvarapranidhana: Surrender of the ego, connecting to the divine within. It is about the quality of intention that we bring to our actions.
The reality arrived during a class of just me and four fellas (two of which were completely new to yoga). A day when we all could have succumbed to our self-conscious moments, but instead we laughed, gave some awkward sighs and finished up with a blissful relaxation. Later that week, two of those fine gentlemen shared how they looked up yoga poses to do at home between classes because they were feeling the difference. (Let’s just say, I walked with a little more bounce in my step that day!)
The Future
I can honestly see it in myself as well as in my students. The flexibility offered by incorporating yoga more regularly can make all the difference in the WOD. Think about the ease with which you guide your body through a Power Snatch or a Clean & Jerk after practicing your breathing through a Sun Salutation. Balance becomes second nature no matter how much weight you add when you master Natarajasana, Dancer Pose. And I can assure you that NO ONE will complain about adding that final yoga pose, Savanasa, into their weekly (preferably daily) routine.“By becoming more aware of your body, it becomes much easier to find ways to help your body function better both in and out of the gym. Yoga is a great compliment to your CrossFit workout. It can help you bring your workouts to the next level, at the same time it will help reduce stress, calm the mind and release
your body “ – crossfityoga.com3
Together, CrossFit and Yoga are the perfect pair; complementing each other in their differences while maintaining similar purpose.
NIYAMA - Tapas: Austerity, self-discipline, burning desire, motivation, dedication.
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xoxox, Rachel
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