Description

After years of training and putting high demands on my body, I realized I needed a lengthening practice and welcomed Yoga into my training routine. Bikram was my new yoga passion but after mastering the 26 postures I moved onto Power Yoga for challenge and creativity and for more grounding, practiced Hatha. I decided to deepen my practice and take my first Yoga training in summer of 2004 with Yogi Vishva and Chetana Panwar. I had already been training and teaching fitness for a number of years, so the Yoga deepened my practice and served to benefit my clients.

Over the years, I have been asked several times if I have recommendations for a Yoga DVD to students, who wanted to learn the basic yoga postures – something simple people could follow. Surprisingly, I had very little for my audience (mostly athletes trying to complement their existing training routine with yoga).

The idea of creating a Yoga DVD came about when I connected with Len Ward (Arts and Architect, Bank St., Ottawa). We decided to make a Yoga DVD focused primarily for runners and beneficial for athletes in general. Initial filming began just before the May 2010 Ottawa Marathon weekend, with good friend and elite runner Heather Gallagher. The DVD was completed in the spring of 2011 after many hours in the editing room with Len.

This DVD was designed for ‘Runners’ but will benefit any athlete as the yoga routines it contains will increase flexibility, prevent injury and promote recovery from injuries that have already occurred.

*The DVD IS CURRENTLY SOLD OUT!!

The “Yoga for Runners” DVD contains the following section mouse over for details):

[tippy title=”Yoga For Runner’s Session (34 minutes) …”]If you’re a serious runner, hiker or biker, treat your body to some moves specifically designed for the muscles you use and abuse the most! This section focuses on a series of healing asanas that will open your hearts, hips, hamstrings. Twists will release tension in your back & shoulders, ringing out your organs and preparing your muscles for optimum cardio performance![/tippy]
[tippy title=”Pre-run Yoga Warm-up (3:21) …”]Linking breath with movements to begin opening the body in preparations for a run or other cardiovascular activity. The key areas to open are; Shoulders, Low Back, Hip Flexors, Hip Rotators and Core. The addition of lunges, and squats would also help to warm up the lower body for running.[/tippy]
[tippy title=”Post-run Yoga Workout (5:18) …”]After cardiovascular workout it is beneficial to lengthen key muscles used in the specific workout. Holding hip opener’s, glutes and quad stretches for extended time helps promote recovery.[/tippy]
[tippy title=”Core Strength (7:48) …”]A strong core will improve your form, reduce injuries, and increase speed. Adding this core strength routine into your routine will add balance, increase support and minimizes the chances of fatigue or injury.[/tippy]
[tippy title=”Balance (6:17) …”]Balance yoga postures help to correct muscle imbalances resulting from repeated motion of the body from running. A more balanced body can withstand increased demands without stressing your body. This routine will help avoid chronic pain or injury as a result of imbalances the running can introduce onto the body. Staying a step ahead with balanced postures such as Tree pose (Vrikshasana) can help keep your core intact while strengthening muscles in ankles, toes, calves, thighs and hip joints while improving concentration and improving overall balance.[/tippy]
[tippy title=”Spinal Flexibility (4:27) …”]Help your back-help your running! Upper-back flexibility will improve mechanics and posture. This is crucial given that the routines of modern life tend to have the opposite effect. Keeping your low back strong and supple can never be overstated. This routine will help create a stronger, more elastic back resulting in increased durability less injuries. Stay strong with low back strengthening poses (cobra, snake pose) and keep the lower and upper back supple in cat/cow pose.[/tippy]
[tippy title=”Hips and Glutes (5:48) …”]Repetitive running can lead to tight overworked hips and glutes. Specific grounding yoga postures such as pigeon help to bring range of motion in the hip joint and prevent tightness in glute muscles. Holding postures geared for the lower body such as cow-face pose or pigeon for an extended period (3-5 minutes) will begin to break down the over-used muscles from long runs, short sprints, hill training or stair work. Keeping this area open will help you stay strong and fast for your regular running routine.[/tippy]
Bonus Stretches (5:15) …

DVD Feedback

From … Chris

“After taking Andrea’s noon hour yoga classes for a while, I felt great! Unfortunately, I moved offices and I was too far away to continue to attend. Soon after I stopped attending her class, I was in pain during my regular runs. Luckily, a friend purchased “Yoga For Runners” for me. After following Andrea on the DVD for a few weeks, the pain in my legs subsided. I now actually like the DVD better than a class! I can start and stop it when I want and now I don’t have any excuses to miss a class. Not only does the DVD contain a full yoga session, it’s also packed with 7 short routines that you can do alone, add to the full session or mix and match. I highly recommend “ Yoga For Runners” to better your overall health or improve your performance in other physical activities. I love it because I’m now pain free and I don’t have to worry about hanging up my running shoes for a while.”

From … Dan

“I don’t run frequently enough to call myself a runner, however, I love the Yoga for Runners DVD. It offers the option to run through a 35 minute series of poses put together by Andrea with runners in mind, or to select a series of short sessions that target specific muscle groups and performance areas, or do both. Andrea and Heather provide options for introductory level and advanced level poses and present them in a great way.

You don’t have to be a runner to benefit from this DVD. I am a very active person. I participate in cycling, hockey and skiing (cross country and downhill). I’ve been practicing yoga for about 8 years, and in general, yoga has increased my flexibility, range of motion, and strength. It has helped me to participate in sporting activities at the level and intensity that I enjoy. This DVD has allowed me to practice yoga when I feel it give me the best return, in the hours following the activity. It really does help to relieve muscle fatigue and prepare you for your next event.

As well, I travel frequently for work, and I take this DVD along with me. It is like a portable yoga glass at your disposal. After a day of sitting in meetings (and generally being inactive), it is a great way to decompress, work out the stresses, and revitalize.”