CrossFit and Yoga Can Go Hand in Hand

I mentioned in the last blog that I teach Yoga at a CrossFit?  What is CrossFit and how does it relate to Yoga?  CrossFit is a comprehensive fitness program that encorporates the ten elements of fitness strength, coordination, power, agility, balance, speed, flexibility, stamina and accuracy.  Did I mention flexibilility and strength?  Why would Yoga be helpful to CrossFitters and vice versa?  CrossFit is an extreme sport that works every muscle in the body that combines olympic power lifting, gymastics, and quick movements.  Yoga increases balance, flexibility, awareness, and variety; all of these things are great in the CrossFit community.  When I started CrossFit a couple of years ago I had no idea the path it would lead me, but when I started loving Yoga and CrossFit I noticed the similarities and how others can use both sports to be stronger, faster, and better.  I love both of these sports for different reasons although they do compliment one another.  I have been back active in CrossFit for a couple of months now after completing Yoga Teacher Training and CrossFit has also improved my Yoga.  I initially thought that CrossFit may hurt my flexibility creating tight muscels, but it has made me stronger and even more flexible.  I was shocked when I went into my Yoga practice and I had no problems with holding a handstand for 60 seconds because of the strength I am building.  The CrossFitters that come to my Yoga class come not knowing what to expect some are coming to Yoga for the first time, but they leave relaxed and ready for the next CrossFit work-out.  I have the opportunity to share Yoga with others and also work-out with my students in CrossFit to show them we all have the same struggles and are better because of them.  In CrossFit there is a sense of community and the last person gets the loudest cheers.  It is all about being your best self just like Yoga.  You sweat together and work harder than you ever thought possible; it is the sense of achievement.  I call Gaia Flow Yoga where I practice the CrossFit of Yoga so you really can have the best of both worlds.  Go check out a CrossFit gym and see for yourself.  Any more questions about CrossFit visit http://crossfit.com/

Introduction class at Grapevine CrossFit http://grapevinecrossfit.com/

CrossFit Work-out after pic

Benefits Yoga Brings to Life

Increase balance, flexibility, awareness, and variety.  Yoga defined by the father of Yoga, Pantanjali, Yoga is a path to greater personal freedom, health, long life, and heightened self- understanding and ultimately self-realization.  I started my Yoga journey 7 years ago, but it is not until a couple of years ago that I discovered true Yoga that changed my life and starting my journey for Teacher Training.  Teacher Training is something that just kept on coming back into my life I thought about it a few times, but never fully committed until last November when I enrolled for Teacher Training with Gaia Flow Yoga.  I signed up for training because I wanted to learn more about Yoga and share my love of Yoga with others.  Before Gaia Flow I was doing hot Yoga where they did not practice inversions such as headstands, handstands, flying man, and all those fun exercises that make you feel strong so I had lots of catching up to do on my practice verse other members in my training.  I was comforted when I told that your Yoga practice is in decades always progessing and discovering new openings.  That is the beauty of Yoga there is always somewhere new to go.  During the Teacher Training I discovered that I keep lots of things closed in and did not really deal with some things like the death of my mom; it brought new beginnings to my life.  It also helped me find balance in my nutrition not bouncing around from diet to diet, but more how can I maintain a healthy lifestyle and not feel guilty if I do indulge.  Yes; I do struggle with this still, but at least now I am aware so it is definitely a start.  It also taught me to be more present and to appreciate the little things that may be taken for granted.  I now handle stress better with breath and slowing down to enjoy the moments.  My mat brings me peace and comfort when the world can be chaotic.  It teaches me so much about myself and my struggles.  Teacher Training was a time committment; thanks Matt my husband for your support with every weekend for 3 months, but well worth it to start my Journey.  I am now teaching Yoga at different CrossFit gyms and love the community and doing the CrossFit workouts.  Sharing my love of Yoga with others is such a blessing.  I continue to work on my own practice and truly believe that love is the answer in all things; thank you Chrystal for teaching me that and showing me the way.  Below is some pics of my handstands from a recent trip to Jamaica; thank you Darrah for the pic.