YOGA, RUNNING, & WORKING OUT?

Can you do yoga and work out?

Is it possible to do Yoga daily and train up for a marathon?

I understand the appeal of marathon-running. It's a big, specific goal. There're generally well-established training plans. Usually there's also great social and group support during the training and the event.

Also, when the sun pops in the Pacific Northwest, people need to get outside. 

(Side-note: I see a huge uptick in gardening-related back injuries the first sunny weekend in April.)

I have written about my experiences working out and training before, specifically doing Crossfit (In 2009! Five years ago! Time flies), and you can (SHAMELESS PLUG) read about it in my book. 

At that time, I was enjoying some of the later Ashtanga series in the morning while experiencing a different flavor of union —  created by substrate depletion and the accumulation of metabolic by-product — two/three (sometimes four) times a week doing Crossfit. 

I came to physical practices late in life, and I receive such sustenance from them that I encourage everyone to pursue the physical pursuit they want, whether powerlifting, O-lifting, body-building, cycling, endurance running (why does no one ever sprint or do middle distance?), Zumba, Jazzercise, step aerobics, Pilates, etc, etc.

(Everything but skateboarding. Skateboarding I love you, but you broke my foot all to pieces.)

Generally, the physicality of the various Ashtanga postures — the duration of your practice, the intensity, the volume, or number of postures — should flex to account for your training.

At the same time, you probably should scale back your expectations of "perfect" execution of difficult postures.

I would encourage you not to look at your Yoga practice as suitable flexibility preparation for your working out. 

I would encourage you not to look at your Yoga practice as a way to address imbalances or rehab an injury. 

I would also not treat it as active recovery. 

If you want those things, seek out a sports medicine internist or physical therapist.

You should still strive to practice 5-6x/week.

First principles remain the same: "The asana is correct when concentration arises." (Pattabhi Jois via Ashtanga Yoga New York.com.)