Cardiovascular/respiratory endurance, stamina, strength, power, speed, agility, accuracy, co-ordination, flexibility and balance.
You'll notice the last three physical skills listed actually underpin yoga too.
Ten reasons CrossFitters need yoga
1 CrossFitters need good mobility in order to lift well — and heavy. Yoga is the ultimate tool for mobility and flexibility.
2 Yoga helps you ace balance. You need to be able to control the placement of the body's centre of gravity in relation to its base at all times.
3 Proprioception is paramount. By the way, this fancy word is about knowing where your limbs are in space. Call it body awareness if you prefer. Yeah, it's a good idea to know where that heavy load is positioned above your head!
4 Static stretching can bring length back to tight muscles. This is about moving well after class (and the next day). Or do you prefer to walk like a Lego-man?
5 Yoga teaches CrossFitters ways to stretch their tight muscles so they can re-balance their bodies. Most CrossFitters only know a couple of stretches, but there are thousands. So stretching can become more varied and fun.
6 Yoga helps with injury-prevention. Just ask any elite athlete if they stretch and they'll say "yes!"
7 Yoga can help you spend less cash at your physio by preventing injuries.
8 Yoga helps to fine-tune your focus. This can seriously uplift your performance.
9 The meditation side of yoga can help you to de-stress and calm your nervous system. Recovery is crucial for fuelling PBs (Personal Bests).
10 Yogis know how to harness the power of breathing well. That's a tool handy for weightlifting too.
— Rachel is a wellness expert, PT, yoga teacher and author of Balance: Food, Health + Happiness. Order the book via inspiredhealth.co.nz. Follow Rachel on Instagram (rachelgrunwell) or Facebook (InspiredHealthNZ).
