By Katie Rutterer
I came to CrossFit to become a faster runner. I knew some great runners who told me about this crazy functional fitness performed at high intensity thing they did. I thought it sounded crazy. But those ladies were fast and strong and I was intrigued by this new physical challenge and so I tried it out. I was in love from that first toes-to-bar, wall ball, power clean workout.
I was a little worried that becoming stronger would cause me to lose mobility, but I soon realized that the alignment work taught in the gym was similar to what’s taught in the yoga studio. Yes, sometimes my hamstrings are a little tight after doing deadlifts, but I soon found that my yoga practice was a perfect way to work that out.
Additionally, yoga healed my relationship with my body. After years of not being good enough, smart enough, pretty enough, etc, I was able to slowly fall in love with my humanness. Not without some hard work, of course. Now, I’m okay with letting others see me struggle. I’m okay being the last one finished with the workout. I’m happy where I am, but always trying to do better. I learned a lot of this through yoga!
Many people think you need to be flexible to do yoga – not true! Yes, yoga helps stretch muscles and build flexibility, but it also takes strength. I came to the mat already a flexible person with a dance background, and didn’t realize that I was lacking the power for some of the more intense poses.
After spending a few months at Old City, my overhead strength helped me hold longer handstands, which in turn helps me build balance upside down. I am able to work deeper into backbends because I have increased my glute and leg power. In general, because I am stronger, I can hold poses longer and experience them a little deeper than I could before.
So doing Yoga helps you be better at CrossFit, and doing CrossFit helps you be better at yoga!?
If you’re afraid that yoga is all passive stretching and chatting, you’re wrong! Yes, we meditate. But we also sweat, laugh, push our edges, and explore what interesting things these bodies of ours can do. When yogis tell me they are scared of CrossFit, I tell them that everything is scaleable. Same goes for yoga (those of you who think you aren’t flexible enough!).
Last summer I went to a 9 day yoga intensive retreat. I had a big duffel bag full of yoga clothes, mats, towels, and books. It weighed 33 pounds according to the airline scale. Once I pulled it of the baggage claim belt, I stood it on its end, squatted down to slide my arms through the straps, and stood up – easy back squat. Later, I pressed it up to the top the luggage rack on the train, resisting the urge to look around to see if anyone was watching to see how easily I did it.
CrossFit prepares me to be a functional human being who is fully capable of doing things on my own without waiting for someone to help me.
Yoga prepares me to know how to ask for help and to recognize when I need it.
Intrigued? Come ask me about when you see in the gym, or better yet, come to yoga on Sundays and Wednesdays at 6:30 pm.
I dare you.
