If anyone knows how to execute the Surya Namaskar (and there are so many good instructional videos out there on Youtube), then I would say that it is the perfect warm up and stretch before running (that is if you don't have any injuries. I have to stretch quite substantially because of my knee problem).
I have always noticed that doing Surya Namaskar more than once actually gets my heart rate up and not just that, it's one quick fix to stretching your calves, your thigh muscles, your arms, your back and your core.
So basically it goes without saying it's my favourite form of workout on days I just don't feel like working out too much. And you don't use any other weights except for your body weight. Once I did the Surya Namaskar just four times but I was actually not only sweating but also sore everywhere (especially my arms).
Here is a great photo I found online that perfectly describes all the poses. My favourite one? You guessed it - the groundhog pose (number 5 on the photograph). It is so amazing on your calves. But honestly if you do this a couple of times before your run, you have stretched most of your core muscles and you end up burning calories and you are warm too. Win win as far as I am concerned. It may not be a traditional form of stretching but depending on how long you hold each pose, you can either elevate your heart rate (by transitioning really fast from one pose to the next) or you can give yourself a nice relaxing stretch by going slowly and feeling each and every one of your muscles truly stretch. Yoga rocks B-)
I have always noticed that doing Surya Namaskar more than once actually gets my heart rate up and not just that, it's one quick fix to stretching your calves, your thigh muscles, your arms, your back and your core.
So basically it goes without saying it's my favourite form of workout on days I just don't feel like working out too much. And you don't use any other weights except for your body weight. Once I did the Surya Namaskar just four times but I was actually not only sweating but also sore everywhere (especially my arms).Here is a great photo I found online that perfectly describes all the poses. My favourite one? You guessed it - the groundhog pose (number 5 on the photograph). It is so amazing on your calves. But honestly if you do this a couple of times before your run, you have stretched most of your core muscles and you end up burning calories and you are warm too. Win win as far as I am concerned. It may not be a traditional form of stretching but depending on how long you hold each pose, you can either elevate your heart rate (by transitioning really fast from one pose to the next) or you can give yourself a nice relaxing stretch by going slowly and feeling each and every one of your muscles truly stretch. Yoga rocks B-)
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