One Woman's Story: An Athlete Discovers Yoga

As a seasoned triathlete addicted to long distance, I started experiencing lots of physical annoyances once I hit that 40-plus age mark.  My knees and my lower back were constantly ailing but of course, that didn't stop my "type A" personality from plugging along and doing what I love most: swimming, biking and running.  Striving to find the remedy to all my aches and pains, I went to see a battery of doctors which included Chiropractors (ART), Physical Therapists, Orthopedists, Acupuncturists, etc.  I had tried it all and although I did see some results in relieving my  ailments while under the care of all of these different types of doctors, I found that their techniques alone just gave me temporary relief; a band aid.  Once I started putting on the mileage again, the back spasms and the knee pains started to creep up again and again. 

Then one day, a friend of a friend suggested that I try yoga.  I looked at her and thought she is nuts and that’s NOT for me, much too relaxing.  She went on to say that the owner, Lorraine (head yogi) of this studio in Glen Head was also a Physical Therapist and that she could definitely help me.  Lorraine’s knowledge of the anatomy and understanding injuries is what made me give it a shot.  I went for a private consultation with her and found that my biggest problem was my weakened core and she told me that through the practice of Anusara Yoga which focuses on body alignment, I would be able strengthen all the weak areas in my body, specifically core, and lower back, as well as knees. 

And so, with an open mind, I began the classes and much to my amazement, I discovered, in a one hour session the hidden secret to core strengthening, mega stretching, flexibility, range of motion, serious concentration and balance improvement!  I also found that my knowledge of what I thought yoga was, "relaxing", was not entirely correct. It takes an enormous amount of strength to engage all the muscles isometrically, and hold a pose for 5 LONG breaths.  Think of it as hugging all your muscles to the bone and isolating them while holding the pose and trying not to tip over.  Not an easy task!   However, over time, I discovered that the practice of yoga is striving to find a balance between effort and ease and isn’t that what all of us athletes strive for?  I found the focusing aspect to be very similar to triathlon training and racing.  As an athlete who has completed many thriathlon distances, including one Ironman, the amount of concentration and composure that one needs to maintain during training and especially on race day is tremendous!  Also, the breath is very critical in yoga as it is in triathlon.  In the midst of the challenge of achieving a pose, finding the ease in the breath is key.  Similar to when I am out there doing all those open water swims trying to concentrate on the rhythm of my breath and not on what creatures are lurking below the dark waters!  And maybe the most important aspect of yoga that I discovered, in addition to building strength, is the stretching.  Let’s face it, most of us don’t take the time to stretch before or after our bike rides or runs and this can cause many problems down the road.  In yoga, while you are engaging all those muscles, and focusing on not falling over, AND breathing, you are also stretching your limbs in opposite directions….very challenging!

The first few yoga classes were grueling for me.  How could this be?  I had endured all types of challenging terrain, climate and long hours of training/racing during my triathlon experiences over the last seven years and yet yoga was so difficult!  But of course, it was the inability to find ease in doing yoga that intrigued me the most and so I stuck with it.  After 4 months of practicing, 4 days a week, I can see the difference in my body, especially in the core area and flexibility.  I no longer live with nagging lower back aches, muscle spasms or constant knee pain.  As I train for my summer races, I am folding in  the yoga classes as my strengthening workouts instead of hitting that gym and doing many reps that don't add up to a whole lot for me... I encourage all of you to try it as you may find that inner peace we are all searching for, as well as a kick-butt strengthening workout with a great body stretch.

Thank you Brigitte for sharing how yoga improved your life and inspiring others! Brigitte suggests that you contact Yoga Flow Studio in Glen Head, NY is where the author loves to do yoga. Yoga Flow Studio is located at 977 Glen Cove Avenue, in Glen Head.  For more information, check out Lorraine’s website at www.yogaflowstudio.com .