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Yoga & Pilates for Runners

“Everyone knows running is great for the cardiovascular system; however, it’s also a fact that the sport dramatically tightens certain muscle groups while doing nothing for others.”

- Bender Birch

Couldn’t agree with you more, Mr. Birch!

For the longest time now, I’ve been interested in trying yoga or pilates to stretch these tight muscles of mine (especially my ITBs which is the reason for my runner’s knee), but I never got the chance to attend a session.

Fortunately, I have Annie as my friend and running buddy who, many of you may not know, is also a certified yoga and pilates instructor. So, this week, she generously introduced me to both:

YOGA

Yoga is an ancient discipline which seeks to unite body, mind, and spirit. Some of the more popular schools of yoga nowadays include Iyengar, Astanga, Ananda, Anusara, Bikram, Kundalini and Sivananda. Yoga sessions are contemplative and free-flowing. Runners can stand to gain from yoga since it develops strength, flexibility, balance and mental concentration.

After running at the track with Coach and Annie, we headed over to the mediation area for some stretching. Annie then took pity on my tight legs and began to teach me yoga positions that I could do at home. I loved the stretches. Yes, some positions made me cringe with slight discomfort (because we were reaching areas in my body that were never exercised heehee) but it certainly helped to make my legs feel lighter and immediately put me into relax mode.

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- I am the most inflexible person I know. It’s not funny. -

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- Why Annie never gets injured -

PILATES

Pilates is designed to stretch, strengthen, and balance the body. Created by Joseph Pilates, it is a gentle low-impact exercise that focuses on developing the core muscles of the body, or what they like to call the “powerhouse.” Movements are precise and ordered, with reps and sets.

Pilates is also great for runners as it focuses on core strength, which is important to runners especially for long runs. Like yoga, pilates improves flexibility, concentration, balance and coordination, breathing, and helps prevent injuries in running.

Yesterday, Annie and I were supposed to attend a Bikram Yoga class together. As the class didn’t push through, she invited me to a free Pilates trial session instead. As soon as I got over her quick transformation from “crazy friend” to “serious instructor”, I was able to feel the effects of Pilates on my body. Using the machines, I felt the burning sensation in my arms and legs and knew that the exercises were working wonders. (It worked so well, in fact, that I passed on running today with Coach because my entire body was sore from yesterday’s workout!)

YOGA OR PILATES?

Initially, I thought that both were similar and I had to choose between one or the other. I’ve come to realize that a runner can gain different benefits from both. Now, if only I had all the time (and moolah because these can be quite expensive) to indulge in the two!

* Reference: NYRR Complete Book of Running & Fitness, Gloria Averbuch, New York, 2004

Posted on 05.03.08 to 07 Therapy & Injury. Tags: , , . Subscribe to follow comments on this post. 12 comments. Add your thoughts or trackback from your own site.

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12 Responses to “Yoga & Pilates for Runners”

  1. Cool! I actually took Pilates as PE when I was still in undergrad. I remember that our sessions were right after lunch… so when the teacher told us to relax and watch our breathing, I got too relaxed that I fell asleep! hehe… up until I felt an elbow in my side… it was my classmate. Apparently, I was distracting the entire class ‘coz I was snoring daw! hehehe

    But Pilates is good. I incorporate some of the core exercises after I do my training or any kind of running. :D

    Yoga, I’ve yet to try… I’ve always thought that they were almost the same and that Pilates was the harder yoga. Hehe

    Passion Runner said on May 03 08 at 6:05 PM Reply

  2. Where is the Pilates gym with machines located? :O)

    Doray said on May 03 08 at 9:00 PM Reply

  3. yoga for the win! ever since i started training for distances beyond 10k, i decided na to give yoga a go. ay you don’t need to train with pye na you have annie naman na :D

    marga said on May 03 08 at 9:12 PM Reply

  4. Passion Runner, okay I feel old. I don’t think Pilates hit our shores yet when I was in college!

    Doray, what area? I know of pilates studios in BMW center in Alabang, one at the Fort, another at Bel Air.

    Marga, I think I’ll just be chatting and laughing if Annie was my instructor. I’ll try bikram this week.

    bullrunner said on May 04 08 at 10:21 PM Reply

  5. Where are you doing Bikram? Tara Dasma! :)

    And happy birthday dear!!! :)

    marga said on May 05 08 at 2:32 AM Reply

  6. Jaymie,

    I know someone who’s a very good Pilates instructor. ehem ehem

    What’s the difference of yoga to bikram? There’s one opening here in Eastwood within a few months.

    markfb said on May 06 08 at 11:56 AM Reply

  7. whoa, yan ang pose. :D ate annie has always been very athletic (and fit). as a fitness trainer, marami ka talagang tips na makukuha from her. :)

    Meeya said on May 14 08 at 2:33 AM Reply

  8. Does anyone know the contact details of the pilates stgudio in BMW Alabang? Are the teachers good?

    Cor said on Sep 22 08 at 8:23 PM Reply

  9. Hi! The fully equipped Pilates Manila Studio in Alabang, is on the 3rd Floor of BMW Autozentrum Bldg., Commerce Avenue, Madrigal Business Park, Alabang. Telephone 8503588. Mobile of owner & Certified Instructor Anne-Mi Katigbak 09178130818. Sessions are by appointment.

    Teacher Annie above is a good friend and colleague of mine.

    Queen said on Apr 12 09 at 2:16 AM Reply

  10. Hi! I consider myself a running newbie but I’ve been doing Pilates for 8 years and I can vouch that it really helped me a lot.

    My first run was a 10km( i know … i was aiming high) but to my surprise I didn’t feel any pain whatsoever.

    Yoga and Pilates are quite different . Joseph Pilates( the inventor) also practiced yoga and incorporated gymnastics and other forms of exercises to what it is known today.Pilates movements are not isolated (because the body does not move this way), it is easier to achieve a sense of flow and coordination from head to toe. In sports, a sudden jerk or unexpected movement can cause injury. Pilates helps prevent or maybe eliminate these potential injuries.

    As I continue to run, i am more aware of my body alignment and of the things i should watch out for. Did i forget to mention that I love running more than ever ?

    p.s Sorry for sounding overly enthusiastic about Pilates . I just wanted to share how much it made a difference to my life.

    D said on Apr 15 09 at 12:08 AM Reply

  11. Great ideas. The Pilates Fitness system is very underrated. Ever since I began I am much more relaxed and nowhere near as irritible. I really believe Pilates is worth the time.

    Jerold Haslip said on Feb 14 10 at 12:05 AM Reply

  12. Hi. Where at the Fort is the Bikram Yoga studio? Been looking for it. Thanks.

    Anna said on Mar 07 10 at 10:59 PM Reply

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