Sublimely Fit

Creating a healthier, more satisfying life.

  • Home
  • About
    • About Beth
    • About Sublimely Fit
      • Affiliations
      • Disclosure
  • Yoga for Runners
    • Free Guide! Hip Openers for Runners
    • Book
    • Yoga for Runners Course
    • Blog Posts
    • Running
      • Running for Beginners
      • Free Training Plans
      • Training Tips
      • Fueling + Nutrition
      • Gear Reviews
  • Yoga
    • Free Yoga Jump Start
    • Yoga for Beginners
    • Yoga Sequences
    • Yoga Poses
    • Mindfulness
  • Soul
    • Mental Health
    • Self Love
    • Body Image
    • Motivation
    • Goal Setting
  • Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Smoothies
    • Snacks
  • Store

Stretching and Yoga: Let it Happen

01.27.16

Occasionally, when I’m teaching yoga I’ll have a little epiphany, and that’s what happened during my 6 AM class this morning. I often cue my students and my clients to find a comfortable stretch when practicing poses that open muscles, never straining. It’s a fine line to walk, and it can be a little hard to understand how that release should feel in your own body. During this morning’s class, this phrase came across my mind:

I’m able to feel this daily in my body, and I’ve struggled to put the sensation into words. There’s a point where you’re in a stretch when you can either keep actively stretching, or you can release the active part of the stretch and just sink into it. It’s the moment where the tension in your muscles releases and you’re able to open more deeply because you’ve ceased stretching and have allowed your body to sink into the pose, surrender into the pose. Letting go of the struggle, you’re able to open even more.

Finding release in the body through yoga: don't make the pose happen, let the pose happen.

Another place I’ve experienced this sensation is when getting a deep tissue or sports massage. When my massage therapist presses into a very tight muscle, my first instinct is to tense the muscle. Even when I try to release, often I’m unconsciously holding tension. But, over time, the knot or tightness in the muscle gets worked out, when your muscle truly starts to relax and release. It’s that feeling of tension that you didn’t even know was there being released.

This idea of releasing into the pose is better suited for yoga poses that open areas of the body and open muscles, such as hip openers and poses that open the hamstrings. There are definitely poses where you need to be holding your muscles tight and working through your body to create the pose. But, in the poses where you’re aiming to release tension and tightness, work to release residual tension from your body and just let the pose happen.

 

What’s your favorite yoga pose to release into?

 

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Email

« My Winter Running Motivation
Hip Openers for Runners: Where to Start »

Trackbacks

  1. The Best Of Pole, Fitness & Healthy Eating - May 2016 says:
    05.31.16 at 2:02 AM

    […] this short post by Beth at Sublimely Fit she says “Don’t Make The Pose Happen, Let The Pose […]

hello image sublimely fit

Hi, I'm Dr. Beth Brombosz! I'm a yoga teacher, running coach, and writer living in Oklahoma. I would love to help you create a healthier, more satisfying life. Join me on the journey!

beth (at) sublimelyfit.com
facebook twitter pinterest instagram bloglovin

 

FREE HIP OPENERS FOR RUNNERS GUIDE!

Search

Yoga for Runners Book

Yoga for Runners Book and eBook Bundle

Like Sublimely Fit on Facebook

Like Sublimely Fit on Facebook

Disclaimer

Sublimely Fit is a personal blog and all opinions are my own. I am not a medical professional. Please follow the advice of your doctor first and foremost. Although my intent is to do no harm, if you are injured following my opinion or something you have read here, I am not responsible. I am not responsible for comments written by others. Disrespectful or profane comments may be deleted. Privacy: I will never sell your email address or other information. Click here for the full privacy policy.

POPULAR POSTS

  • Intermediate 10 Mile Training Plan
  • How Long Should You Hold Yoga Poses?
  • IT Band Stretch Yoga Sequence
  • Foot Stretches: Yoga Poses for Feet
  • What Are the Best Styles of Yoga for Runners?
  • 8K and 5 Mile Training Plan for Beginners
  • 10 Mile Race Training Plan for Beginners
  • The Best Running Motivation Tips
  • Aromatherapy Essential Oil Recipes for Yoga
  • What Do We Mean by Yoga Practice?

Calendar

May 2022
S M T W T F S
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
293031  
« May    

Copyright © 2022 · by Shay Bocks · Built on the Genesis Framework · Powered by WordPress

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.