Willaman agrees, saying that yoga can assist a runner in deciphering the difference between pain caused by injury, and discomfort that results from exertion. "We all have those runs where your mind is desperately trying to talk you out of a run, but your body is fine," she says. "By practicing mindfulness and meditation, we learn when to push and when to pull back."
If you're new to yoga, your best bet for getting into the practice is to sign up for a few introductory classes at your local studio. A yoga teacher can help instruct you on proper body positioning so you get the most out of your practice.
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