If you love spending time in the CrossFit box, then read on! Yoga is a great complement to the intense workouts you do every day.
These poses work wonders whether you are a beginner or CrossFit devotee for the last decade, and will help open and relax your body from all the repeated movements and strength training done in CrossFit.
If you’re feeling tight or inflexible, try these yoga poses for CrossFit lovers and feel release:
1. Pigeon Pose
Credit: Kristin McGeeThe mother of all poses for opening tight spots throughout the lower body, Pigeon Pose works wonders, and the longer you stay in it, the more pleasure your hips and thighs will endure.
Try Pigeon and notice how much looser your body is while you squat and lunge.
You can get your body into Pigeon Pose in a few different ways. Try starting in Tabletop Pose and slide your right knee towards your right wrist as the left leg reaches behind you. It’s your choice (or your body’s) to stay upright or fold the chest down toward the ground.
Repeat on opposite side.
2. Warrior II
Credit: Kristin McGeeProper alignment is what it’s all about in this pose. In CrossFit, if you don’t have proper alignment, the likelihood of getting injured is pretty dang good. With the quick movements and timed workouts, it’s the most important thing in the world to make sure your body is working to the best of its ability.
In Warrior II, make sure your knee is directly above your ankle/heel. If you notice your knee leaning out or in during this pose, you ain’t doin’ it right.
Start in Down Dog. Lift your right leg up and gently step it forward between your hands. Plant your back heel into the ground and lift yourself up into Warrior II, fingertips reaching away from each other, arms parallel to the ground, hips open. Feel the strength of this pose. Squeeze your thighs towards each other as you keep the shoulders relaxed, and gaze over your front fingertips.
Repeat on the opposite side.
3. Savasana
Credit: Kristin McGeeMy personal favorite. This pose is taken for granted a lot of times, and people try to sneak out. This is so very important for CrossFitters to relax into, especially after all the intense WODs (Workouts of the Day, for those not in the know!). You must give yourself time to chill and this is the perfect way to do it.
Start lying on your back. Let your feet fall open, have your palms up or down, and close your eyes. Take nice, deep breaths in and out through your nose as your body gets more and more relaxed. Focus on the breath and releasing any tension or stress you might hold in certain places of the body. Explore any spot that you’re holding onto and breathe into that place.
Stay here for 5-10 minutes, until you get what you need and you’ll feel like a gazelle after you complete your last and final pose.
If you take these three poses, Pigeon, Warrior II, and Savasana, you’ll reap the benefits of stretching and breathing post-CrossFit class. Give it two weeks and you’ll be a CrossFitter ready to squat deeper with stronger, looser limbs.
Are you a CrossFit devotee? Which yoga poses do you practice after a tough workout? Share with us below!
