Yoga life and gym life may seem very different on the surface. Yoga life projects an image of eating vegan, spirulina smoothies, deep meditation, spiritual perfection, and chill vibes. Gym life projects an image of eating clean, protein smoothies, deep muscle burn, physical perfection, and competitive vibes. Although these may seem like extremes, a lot of us can be found somewhere in the space in the middle finding balance, and isn't life all about finding balance?
Personally, I've been balancing both gym life and yoga life for years now. Although circumstances may have made me give up one at times, my perfect balance includes both. Aside from the proven health benefits of lifting weights, I feel amazing after a workout both physically and mentally, and I gain so much clarity of mind. The evidence is mounting that yoga has the same health benefits as lifting weights, and although it offers me similar feelings after practice, it doesn't feel quite the same. They hit different. Lifting weights gives me a clarity of mind like I've burnt away cobwebs in my brain, and practicing yoga gives me clarity of mind like I've found peace in the middle of chaos. Lifting weights makes my body feel strong, exhausted, and in harmony all at the same time, and practicing yoga makes my body feel strong, flexible, connected, and relaxed. Both lifestyles give me something that the other doesn't.
For those of us who are happiest balancing both a gym and yoga lifestyle, an obvious question does arise. How to maximize the benefits of the combined practices? The answer is partly personal preference. I’m not going to sit here and tell you to workout three times a week and do yoga every other day (plus a rest day). That does sound pretty great to me, but you should find what best works for you. Finding your space is about finding the balance that keeps you motivated and feeling awesome!
What I can offer you is the fact that lifting weights can bring about muscle tightness and soreness, and practicing yoga can bring about muscle lengthening and relaxation. Based on this, it makes sense to include yoga as part of your gym recovery routine. A yoga practice can be targeted to open up, activate, stretch, and relax different areas of the body; it can be specifically focused on muscle recovery of the areas you targeted in your workout, whether that be leg day, chest and arms day, back day, or a full-body workout. In addition, lifting weights can help you faster achieve strength-based balancing asanas, among others. Both lifting weights and yoga practice benefit from mindful breathing. Do you see where I'm going here?
Don't feel like you have to choose between weights or yoga, reap the benefits of both! I've found my space amongst mindful weight lifting, deep muscle meditation, targeted yoga recovery, and vegan protein smoothies. How did you find your space? Leave a comment below and share your balance.
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