Yoga and Running

I have repeatedly read about the health befits of yaga. From increased flexibly to reduced stress levels and sleeping better. I have wanted to improve all of those things in  my own life, and have always hoped to include some yoga in my workout scheduled. I've really wanted to get into it for years, but its just too hard for me to focus when I am alone.  I have a hard time slowing down and yoga seems to be focused on slowing down. I've made it through a few podcasts, but my practice of yoga way pretty shady. I tended to give up after five minutes or three poses, or during the part where you are suppose to set still and breath.

So this term I've finally started taking a class offered through the university. Today is my fourth class, and I think I've finally beginning to "get" it.

I've started run again, and walking to class and home each day. Thanks to this exercise I'm finally loosing that "grad school" weight (*cough* 20 lbs). I've still been looking for some way to relax and reduce my stress levels. Running as done me a lot of good, but unfortunately also seems to decrease my flexibility, at least for a few days afterwords, as my muscles get sore and tight. I thought that yoga would provide a great opportunity for me to attempt both relaxation and increasing my flexibility at the same time.

Even though its only been two weeks of yoga, I'm really liking the effect that the combination of the two exercises is having on my body.

The running has been helping me loosing weigh, I had lost 4 lbs at my last weight in (that was three weeks ago) and am looking forward to my next weight in this weekend. 

I think I can see some results from yoga, and have began to make an effort to carry some of what I learn in class home with me. I've been practicing deep breathing as I fall asleep at night, and think it might be helping my insomnia. 

It turns out sitting still might not be too bad after all.