Hi Everyone:
Does anyone have any suggestions on increasing flexibility? It seems that everytime I start increasing the swimming and weights I loose flexibility. I've never been much into stretching, but I need it! Any good books or videos out there? How about Yoga?:rolleyes:
Parents
Former Member
Eddie,
I started yoga about 8 months ago on the recommendation of Terry Laughlin (TI fame) and Paul Smith (USMS sub-2:00 200 meter free fame). I've been doing it once or twice a week for an hour in the local YMCA's "Yoga Basics Class." I have found it does improve my flexibility and I do feel an improved stroke length (SL) when I swim right after doing yoga, versus just diving in the water. I have also found doing a regular yoga class is much easier to sustain than stretching on my own. I do know of many other swimmers who do yoga for flexibility.
Over this time period, my mechanics and SL have improved. In the interests of full disclosure, I have also been working on TI mechanics, and isolating the contribution of yoga versus TI is impossible. Some of my times from this past LC season have improved over the 2001 LC season, but not in every event. (Yet!)
I would say yoga is one method of improving flexibility, but there are others. Use the one you enjoy enough so that you will stick to it over the long run.
Matt
Eddie,
I started yoga about 8 months ago on the recommendation of Terry Laughlin (TI fame) and Paul Smith (USMS sub-2:00 200 meter free fame). I've been doing it once or twice a week for an hour in the local YMCA's "Yoga Basics Class." I have found it does improve my flexibility and I do feel an improved stroke length (SL) when I swim right after doing yoga, versus just diving in the water. I have also found doing a regular yoga class is much easier to sustain than stretching on my own. I do know of many other swimmers who do yoga for flexibility.
Over this time period, my mechanics and SL have improved. In the interests of full disclosure, I have also been working on TI mechanics, and isolating the contribution of yoga versus TI is impossible. Some of my times from this past LC season have improved over the 2001 LC season, but not in every event. (Yet!)
I would say yoga is one method of improving flexibility, but there are others. Use the one you enjoy enough so that you will stick to it over the long run.
Matt
