Yoga

[EL GAUCHO]

Any of you bros tried yoga as part of your training week?
I've been going for classes for the last 5 months and its great.
Before you all say "thats for women", I challenge you to have a go. Holding a pose like the "downward facing dog" for 30 seconds is just as hard as trying to beat your squat PR.
Despite standing out like a sore thumb in the class, I've been really enjoying it.
My flexibilty and agility has been greatly improved, and my mental focus is boosted.
I'd be interested in how it would affect the physiology of a bodybuilder, and if it would actually aid muscle growth through hyperlasia (as in DC stretches?).
I know it certainly aids my recovery.
Anyone else?
EG

 

[Zander1983]

A 30 second yoga pose is HARDER than any maximum lift for me.

I've got a DVD that I watched a few times and learnt the basic sequences from. At the end of the day its just glorified stretching, but that doesn't mean it isn't beneficial. For an athlete its especially good, but it certainly isn't going to hurt a BBer.

 

[Toozee]

I would say it's fantastic, especially for recovery. A lot of it is pretty difficult, but I can only see benefits from doing yoga as a part of routine. I'm trying to do some on off days.

 

[punch]

just started yoga w/ my wife a few weeks ago and its the best thing I have ever done for my body aside from lifting. The stretching is intense and it is rather humbling to watch a person 150lbs soaking wet hold a strength position longer than me!

 

[spatts]

I"ve been going twice a week. I do it on non training days. It is possible to over stretch the muscles and lose some of the natural reflex needed for powerlifting.

 

[onerepmaximum]

I'd be interested in how it would affect the physiology of a bodybuilder, and if it would actually aid muscle growth through hyperlasia (as in DC stretches?).
EG

Not trying to split hairs, but you meant hypertrophy, right? Hyperplasia is the increase in number of muscle cells. That can only occur if you are juicing. Hypertrophy is the increase in size. I can see where it (yoga) would benefit your growth potential. It could maybe stretch the fascia that surrounds your muscles and give them room to grow.

 

[EL GAUCHO]

Wow, I'm so impressed so many of you are actually giving it a try!
Personally I think its made a difference in my body shape by elongating my muscles.
Spatts: so you think your strength has suffered because of this reflex loss? I too felt like this, mostly on the following day's lifting.

onerepmaximum: I am only citing DC who refers to hyperlasia as being one of the benefits of his extreme stretching techniques. I may be off. I'll see if I can track him down and ask, although he mostly posts on Animal's board now.

EG

 

[Toozee]

I seem to remember a few studies regarding hyperplasia due to certain stretching techniques. Can't remember the results though. I'm at work, so I can't go looking for it now though.

 

[spatts]

All muscles have an origin and insertion point. Unless your bones grow, the chances of you lengthening the muscle are slim to none.

No, I don't feel like I've lost stretch reflex because I don't do it close to a training day, and I don't do it very often. I'm doing it lately because I'm taking a month off. Otherwise, yes; it's generally understood and accepted that extreme stretching has a negative effect on the golgi reflex.

 

[EL GAUCHO]

Gee, I wonder what DC would have to say about that!
In any case, I think Yoga rules and more EF members should give it a try.
Both mentaly and physicaly challenging.
In the gym I rule. In the yoga room I feel like a wimp!
EG

 

[pwr_machine]

All muscles have an origin and insertion point. Unless your bones grow, the chances of you lengthening the muscle are slim to none.

No, I don't feel like I've lost stretch reflex because I don't do it close to a training day, and I don't do it very often. I'm doing it lately because I'm taking a month off. Otherwise, yes; it's generally understood and accepted that extreme stretching has a negative effect on the golgi reflex.

Agreed. In pure recollection, Pubmed is full of studies that show acute or extreme stretching can inhibit maximal strength performance.

 

[spatts]

DC isn't powerlifting.

 

[EL GAUCHO]

Good point! My bad.