Kundalini Yoga

I tried Kundalini Yoga for the first time today and I really enjoyed the class. It is very different from any other yoga class I have tried.  Here is what I learned from my class today. Thought I would share with my 4 loyal blog readers.

What is Kundalini Yoga?

"The Kundalini is untapped energy at the base of the spine that can be drawn up through the body awakening each of the seven charkas. Full enlightenment occurs when this energy reaches the crown chakra at the top of the head."

What is a Kundalini Yoga class like?

A Kundalini class begins with a short chant (warning; the chant started and at first I had a moment of panic, "I don't know this chant". As I looked frantically around the room, I noticed the words painted on the studio wall at Anchorage Yoga.)  followed by a warm-up to stretch the spine and improve flexibility (we did a typical hot yoga flow for sun salutation). The main work of the class is called a kriya, which is a proscribed sequence of poses and breath that focuses on a precise area of the body. Basically, you do repeated movements until you think your body part such as an arm may fall off. Then, you move into the next poses (which feels good at first until you repeat the movement enough times to make you think that body part may fall off). The class ends with a meditation, which is accompanied by closing song.

The instructor was dressed differently then I have normally seen yoga instructors. A little research and I found that "Kundalini devotees often wear flowing white robes and head wraps (which my teacher was wearing).".

Should you try Kundalini Yoga?:

Kundalini is one of the more spiritual types of yoga." It goes beyond the physical performance of poses with its emphasis on breathing, meditation, chanting. However, the Kundalini sequences can be very physically intense." There was definitely times when I thought, why the heck am I doing this. But I loved the class. I think it was a great change of pace to the normal hot flow class I take, and I look forward to my next Kundalini class.

Cross Training

Many runners do other exercises besides running. Cross training, the idea of practicing multiple exercises, helps runners in several ways. One, it helps with overall fitness and two, reduces injuries. I have done several Triathlons (swim, bike, run in sequence), therefore I have trained at times with all three but this not part of my normal training.

Normally, I cross train with Hot Yoga (performed under hot and humid conditions). Why choose hot yoga? Yoga and running seem like opposite ends of the spectrum as far as physical activity go, and this is true.Yet, practicing yoga in conjunction with running has many benefits.

Runners can use yoga to balance strength, increase range of motion, and train the body and mind. Yoga teaches you how to use your breath with yoga poses. "The eventual result is that your body, mind, and breath are integrated in all actions."  This can offset the effects of the runner's pavement pounding workouts. Yoga also helps remind you that each day is a new day, and unique. What your body was able to do yesterday may not translate into today. This is also true in running. 


Yoga maintains a runners since of well-being. It helps to reduce tension and promote relaxation. This is vital to insuring a injury free runner. Tension in the muscles can create injury through overuse. But through yoga and breath a runner can learn to reduce or relieve this tension their muscles.


I practice Yoga at Anchorage Yoga. The studio is GREAT and the instructors are amazing. I truly believe it was my yoga practice that was a huge factor in completing my marathon. Through understanding of your breath and body, you can achieve amazing goals. If you get the chance to check them out, I highly recommend it (no...they have no clue I am mentioning them in my blog, and no I am not getting any compensation from them). The studio is addicting and once you go, I think you'll understand why I recommend them.


Do you cross train? What other exercises do you use? Do you find them beneficial to your running?

New running shoes are a wonderful thing... just not before a race. Therefore, I waited to buy a new pair until after the marathon.


Normally, I am a Nike kind of girl. I have owned several different Nike's from the Nike Frees to Nike Pegasus (one extreme to the other basically). I have always found Nike to be narrow enough for my feet and high quality enough that I wasn't replacing the shoe every month. 


But I am a convert...I bought my first pair of Asics and I am in love. Check them out! These shoes have everything! Highly recommend if you have narrow feet to try them. Asics do not have wide sizes so, if you have wider feet you are S.O.L. 


I bought the Asics-33 Gel Blur, Asics' version of the barefoot or minimalist running shoe that seems to be so popular currently in the the running world. Since I have been using shoes such as the Vibram Five Finger Shoes and Nike Free (both are more minimalist running shoes than this particular one) I was not afraid to go for it. In fact, I would recommend this shoe if you are thinking about making the switch. It has more support in the heel than the Nike Free's and it is still extremely light.


I do still own my Vibrams (aka the creepy toe shoes) and I love them...for shorter runs (13.1 miles or under).  On longer runs, I have found my toes need a little more protection than the shoes can provide. Granted, if I was doing an all trail run in dirt I may be able to handle the distance runs in the shoe. I ran my full marathon in my Nike Frees and didn't end up with any blisters and in fact my feet felt great after the run.


Side Note: The shoes did run smaller than my previous running shoes (with room to spare in the toes). In Nike I wear a 8.5 and in the Asics I made the jump to a 9.