For those of you that follow me on Twitter, catch my updates on Facebook, or regularly read this blog, it probably appears as if I’m on a yoga crusade. I have been a strong advocate of yoga, in particular the Yoga X program in the P90X series. The question I get a lot is why? Why yoga? What is it about this series of time consuming and uncomfortable poses that is so important?
To put it succinctly, implementing a bi-weekly yoga practice has improved my entire life. Since I started doing yoga twice a week (Yoga X and a 75 min guided “flow” yoga class) I have become stronger, faster in the swim/bike/run world, and my recovery times are much shorter. In addition, and perhaps most importantly, I have a degree of calm and clarity that I have never experienced before. I know, this sounds impossible, but you probably doubted the P90X infomercial as well.
My inspiration for this increased yoga focus, and most of my non-triathlon exercise was, of course, Tony Horton. Tony has been talking about the importance of yoga for a long time. After hearing Tony talk about yoga in Hawaii last year, we really changed our approach to P90X. Gone were the days of treating Yoga X as a rest/recovery day and skipping the difficult poses that still cause us to struggle (see twisting half moon). Instead, we have made it the focal point of our workout schedules. I do yoga every Tuesday night. It is a time that I have no conflicts and I don’t miss my 75 minute yoga flow class. Sunday it is time to recharge the batteries with Yoga X.
Yes, Yoga X is long and hard, but it is important. When people expressed concerns about the length and difficulty of Yoga X, Tony responded with the Fountain of Youth DVD in the “One-on-One” series. Why? Simply, because Tony believes that yoga is the single most beneficial exercise a person can do. If you struggle with Yoga X, check out the Fountain of Youth.
In February of 2009 Monica and I had the good fortune to attend Tony’s Yoga Retreat in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. We did morning and evening yoga sessions, which book ended epic bluebird days skiing and snowboarding. We asked Tony to take a moment and reflect the online conversation about the benefits of yoga and whether Yoga X was worth the time and effort that it demands.
We felt it was important to record Tony’s thoughts on yoga live, so you could hear it straight from his mouth. To be honest, I am on a yoga crusade. I want everyone to include yoga in their exercise routine. If you have reviewed my 14-week Olympic distance triathlon training program, you’ll note there is one constant and it is Yoga X every week. I can tell you how good yoga is until I’m blue in the face (and frankly I am), but I’m not Tony Horton. I’m just a guy who decided to push play.
Please take a moment to watch this video. When you are done, go grab your Yoga X DVD, put it in and do the ENTIRE routine. When you have finished, please write me a note and let me know how much better you feel. Then keep it up for at least three months to give yoga an honest chance. I my guess is that you’ll fall in love with it.
Click to Watch Video
I like to think of yoga as a flowing river. If you give a river enough time it will wear down even the hardest rocks. Yoga is the same way. It takes time and dedication. If you give it the time it deserves, like a river, it will create something beautiful.
Beginning on Sunday March 22nd, and continuing on as many Sunday’s as we are available, we will be holding free yoga workouts in Scottsdale, AZ. We will alternate between Yoga X and Tony’s Fountain of Youth DVD from the One-on-One series. If you are in Phoenix come join us for Sunday Morning Yoga Fit Club. Who knows, you might just end up feeling good.
Yours Truly,
“Gumby, Jr.”
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