Yoga and karate ?

[kotegashiNeo]

I have recently started doing yoga and I have found big improvements in my karate especially because how much stress is placed on posture and breathing and I was wondering if anyone else supersts there karate with a little bit of yoga

[pers]

I have never done yoga ,it is some thing i like to do but i think you are right ,it will improve your well being including your karate .

[UsagiYojimbo]

I did yoga stretches before I started karate. My sensei incorporates some into our warmups, and I also do my own at home. I love accenting my karate with it. I find that meditation also helps.

[Sandan]

Yes, more and more people are doing yoga... i guess it must be of help to their karate.

[malanovaus]

I find yoga helpful for martial arts for two reasons.

1. Helps one balance (mentally/physically/spiritually).

2. Increases flexibility.

I have been replacing some of my pre-class warmup with yoga and meditation.

[Venrix]

I think it would depend on the style of your Karate. To perform 'soft stretching' movement before 'hard/full contact' kumite is definately to be advised against. That said, as an additional excercise with a view to achieving improved flexibility - it's perfect.

One tip (trust me - it will steer you clear of many injuries:

Do NOT peform Yoga within 12 hours of a tough training session. Yoga is all about 'loosening' things up. Loosen up your back or hamstrings (for example) before sparing and you will earn yourself a slipped disk or a pulled/torn hamstring.

Remember: there is a difference between stretching to prepare your muscles/tissue for vigorous exercise and 'loosening' up for all round flexibility. Yoga is about 'relax into stretch'. This is to be very much avoided before vigorous exercise.

-V-

[[edited spelling only: 'Yogo' just didn't look right! ]]

Edited April 25, 2005 by Venrix

[yamesu]

I practice yoga and karate, not instantainiously of course.....

One thing i noticed when i started Kyokushin is that a majority of the stretches are similar to yoga stretches, but with a different level of muscular tension.

Yoga is excellent exersize for off-training-days, when you still want exersize, without the complete physical exertion of practicing karate.

Osu.

[jarrettmeyer]

I do pilates and karate. I find that they are very complimentary.

[Sandan]

Good Advice folks, especially regarding the losening up stuff!!!

[AnonymousOne]

My mother has been involved in and teaching Hatha Yoga for 50 years.

I personally dont practise it myself.

The only cross training I do is running, weights, plyometric exercises, and the odd game of squash now and again.

I dont see any benefits from yoga myself. I prefer aerobic and anaerobic exerise