CrossFit has become immensely popular in recent years among fitness enthusiasts and athletes. It involves high-intensity interval training, powerlifting, gymnastics, calisthenics, and more. Much of the movements involved in CrossFit are performed at high intensity. However, all the heavy workouts and rapid movements can cause injuries and muscle fatigue.
This is why many CrossFit athletes incorporate yoga into their fitness regimen to boost muscle recovery, strength, flexibility, and balance. Specific yoga poses target muscles, joints, and bones to improve healing. Besides that, yoga also reduces stress and fatigue in athletes.
Keep reading this article to explore the best yoga poses CrossFit athletes must try.
Top 6 Recommended Yoga Poses For CrossFit Athletes
CrossFit athletes train for high intensity with short bursts of power. This requires increased stamina and focus. However, after an intense workout, people can’t sleep properly, and the pain lingers for days in the body. Yoga is beneficial for this purpose as it boosts recovery and soothes the nerves. Besides that, it also improves sleep and pain management.
With that said, let’s delve deeper to learn about the top recommended yoga poses for CrossFit athletes.
1. Bridge Pose
The Bridge pose is a great pose to add to your CrossFit training regimen. Follow the below steps to do it correctly:
- Lie on the floor on your back with the knees bent
- Bring your arms to the side of your body
- Begin an upward movement from the pubic bone, lift your thighs
- Start pressing your upper arms down towards the floor
- Breathe deeply and maintain this pose
This pose allows you to stretch your shoulders, chest, and abdomen while strengthening your back. CrossFitters can take it to the next level by moving their arms behind the head to perform this pose. It is a great exercise to improve muscular strength and agility. You can join professional Yoga Studio Dubai to learn this correctly from experts and improve your CrossFit performance.
2. Boat Pose
The Boat Pose is beneficial for CrossFit athletes to detoxify vital organs and strengthen their muscular and skeletal systems. Follow the below steps to perform the boat pose correctly:
- Lie down on the floor on your back
- Lift your lower and upper body to form a “V” shape
- Keep your back and knees straight
- Extend arms straight towards the legs
- Maintain this pose for 5 to 30 seconds
- Repeat as necessary
After a long and tiring CrossFit session, you can stimulate the kidneys, liver, thyroid, core, and intestines through this pose. This pose enables your body to eliminate carbon dioxide and toxins from inside.
3. Cobra Pose
Many CrossFit athletes practice the Cobra pose as it’s very beneficial for alleviating aches and discomforts. Below are the steps to perform it correctly:
- Place your hands flat parallel to the ground
- Bend your elbows straight and place them under the shoulders
- Look down towards the mat
- Roll your shoulders back and lift your chest
- Take deep breaths and hold this position
- Repeat 3 to 6 times
CrossFit athletes can perform the cobra pose to reduce swelling and pain in their bodies. This pose allows you to increase your spine mobility and strengthen your cardiac muscles. You can learn this pose from a yoga professional for pain relief and muscle relaxation.
4. Pigeon Pose
The Pigeon pose is very beneficial for CrossFit athletes as it strengthens core muscles. Follow the below steps to perform it correctly:
- Begin on your hands and knees
- Move the left knee forward toward the floor
- Bring your hips towards the front of your body
- Perform a forward bend by moving your torso down over the left leg
- Take deep breaths and hold this position
- Repeat as necessary
The pigeon pose is a forward bend yoga position. It enables CrossFit athletes to stretch their groins, abs, hips, back muscles, and flexors. You can practice this pose to stimulate blood flow internally and improve oxygen saturation in your body. It also enables CrossFit athletes to enhance their flexibility and range of motion.
5. Plank Pose
The Plank Pose has become a popular go-to core training exercise for CrossFit athletes. Below are the steps to perform this pose correctly:
- Begin in a kneeling position on the mat
- Move your arms out away from the body on the floor
- Hold both palms parallel to the chest flat on the floor
- Keep your legs straight and lift your torso
- Hold this position and watch straight with your head up
- Repeat 3 to 6 times
This pose allows CrossFit athletes to build upper and core body strength. When done properly, it can also help build stamina and increase endurance. You can learn this pose from yoga professionals and incorporate it into your CrossFit regimen.
6. Crane Pose
The Crane Pose is beneficial for CrossFit athletes as it strengthens core muscles. Below are steps to perform it correctly:
- Start in a squat position with knees wide apart
- Lift your hips high by coming onto the balls of your feet
- Gently press your knees toward your arms
- Reach your chest forward over your wrists
- Lift your heels toward your hips to feel your center of gravity shift
- Press your arms as straight as possible
- Hold for 5–10 breaths
This pose enables CrossFit athletes to improve their mind and muscle coordination. It brings awareness to the body and improves balance. You can enlist in a professional yoga studio Dubai to learn this pose from experts and improve your CrossFit performance.
Boost Your CrossFit Performance With Yoga!
CrossFit athletes around the world are increasingly practicing yoga. Not only does yoga help them to enhance their endurance levels but it also accelerates recovery. If you are a CrossFit enthusiast, you should incorporate yoga into your fitness regimen. With the help of an expert, learn poses that will enable you to take your CrossFit performance to another level.
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