Share with Us: How does yoga help you to cross-train?

I have done yoga 4-5 times a week for the last month and the pain in my lower back and right shoulder has almost completely diminished. I also practice Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 4-5 times a week and the benefits it has given me when I train is remarkable. From breathing to mental concentration and endurance, I can just go on and on but yoga and bjj goes hand in hand like white on rice.

Yoga and climbing are a match made in heaven. I was a climber long before I started yoga. There are many essential things (common in other sports as well) that make one a good climber. Flexibility, balance, core strength, good breathing and focus are all crucial on difficult climbs. When I started yoga, I found it not only to be an easy transition, but additionally the two play off each other very well. Climbing has more of a strength-training emphasis which would often leave me sore. When I added yoga to my routine, the soreness went away. It was surprising to me that adding another physical activity would actually allow me to climb more often. All of the stretching increased the speed of recovery and decreased the soreness induced from a tough climbing session at the gym.