Combining yoga and climbing is called a figure 4.

[image]http://home.messiah.edu/~ro1167/f4.jpeg[/image]

Balance, Flexibility, Strained Muscles, Stretching , and Overall Positive Energy for your body and mind.
Just to name some.
I was doing yoga for several months and it seems to relieve tightness and help with relaxation and sleeping.
I haven't done hot yoga but I've heard its wonderful for climbers.
Have you combined yoga with climbing? What is the result? Which type and your experience?

It's about as useful as running or swimming. I.e. somewhat useful as an addition to the actual climbing in promoting a good general health, but that's about it.

While I would agree that the best way to get better at climbing is to climb more, it is not good for your body to climb every day. Yoga is a good cross training activity for your non climbing days. Last winter in Vegas was pretty crappy and I ended up getting very little climbing done, so I did a ton of Bikram yoga, between 5-9 classes a week. Once the weather cleared and I could get back out on the rock, I ended up doing the hardest sport route I had ever done, and in a very short time.

I find that the increased flexibility and core strength are the most noticeable benefits. However, there are other benefits as well, including increased ability to focus and breathe while your body is at maximal effort.

One last benefit of Bikram or other hot yogas, hot girls in small outfits.

While I would agree that the best way to get better at climbing is to climb more, it is not good for your body to climb every day. Yoga is a good cross training activity for your non climbing days. Last winter in Vegas was pretty crappy and I ended up getting very little climbing done, so I did a ton of Bikram yoga, between 5-9 classes a week. Once the weather cleared and I could get back out on the rock, I ended up doing the hardest sport route I had ever done, and in a very short time.

I find that the increased flexibility and core strength are the most noticeable benefits. However, there are other benefits as well, including increased ability to focus and breathe while your body is at maximal effort.

One last benefit of Bikram or other hot yogas, hot girls in small outfits.

5-9 classes a week!? Jesus I wish I had a job like you to pay those bills...

In addition to the already mentioned:

1) Increased flexibility
2) Breathing and calming during lead climbing
3) Increased core strength (big plus here)

There is also:

4) Antagonistic muscle training to help prevent overuse injuries. Down dog, plank, up dog, basically anything using the "push" muscles of the arms will help prevent overuse injuries from all that pulling.

I would say (in my uneducated opinion, of course, which may be 100% incorrect ) yoga is one of the better cross training things you can do for climbing for these reasons. Maybe one of the exercise physiology/trainer people can provide some professional opinions.

TS

In addition to the already mentioned:

1) Increased flexibility
2) Breathing and calming during lead climbing
3) Increased core strength (big plus here)

There is also:

4) Antagonistic muscle training to help prevent overuse injuries. Down dog, plank, up dog, basically anything using the "push" muscles of the arms will help prevent overuse injuries from all that pulling.

I would say (in my uneducated opinion, of course, which may be 100% incorrect ) yoga is one of the better cross training things you can do for climbing for these reasons. Maybe one of the exercise physiology/trainer people can provide some professional opinions.

TS

I agree I have heard it has helped so many people prevent injuries and help recover. Its quite soothing, and you do feel more into the mind-body connection.
Do you think the hot yoga is better? Which is your favorite one?

But it's kind of where you are at and what you are climbing....

The type of yoga that is best for you depends on what you are looking for. here are a few of the types I am familiar with
Iyengar - uses props to help inflexible students (blocks, straps etc.) focus is on precision in postures and proper alignment, not hot
Ashtanga - more of a flow style of yoga, focus is on postures and moving between the postures, also not hot
Power yoga - more of a fitness type of vinyasa flow yoga
Bikram yoga - can be very hot, depending on the studio, 26 posture series same every time, tough workout
I mostly do the Bikram yoga, it seems to be the most popular here in vegas.

+3 for 1, 3, and 4 above.

2 may be valid as you get better at yoga.

So the guys at Westpoint are doing yoga? Pretty Impressive. Do they do it before or after their marching?

Ok, so first of all, I agree. Yoga does benefit your climbing.

But the thing you are all failing to realize is that it only works because of the inordinate amount of time that you spend in yoga in PUSHUP POSITION!!!

Thats right, folks. By falling for this mystical yoga craze, you have *finally* been training those antagonist muscles like I have been urging you to do for all these years.

Downward facing dog?....Modified pushup
Dolphin plank pose?.....sissy pushup
Upward plank?....backwards pushup
crow? vertical crunchy pushup

You see, people?
You know, I might not always be around to help with indispensable advice. So, make sure you heed my $.02 about this. You can only go on climbing for so long without paying the pied tricep piper. Life moves fast, you could wake up and 10 years will have gone by in a blink, and all the antagonistic training will have passed you by. I hope you'll make the right choice.

Science Bless,

Cinnamon

I suppose it depends on the individual. Usually most of the marching occurs at lunch time so it could go either way.

And women were allowed to attend West Point a long time ago - so not just guys.

Ok, so first of all, I agree. Yoga does benefit your climbing.

But the thing you are all failing to realize is that it only works because of the inordinate amount of time that you spend in yoga in PUSHUP POSITION!!!