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<\/a> held for many breath cycles and stretching. Foam rolling is a tool that assists with <\/strong>self-myofascial release (SMR)<\/strong><\/a> techniques to reduce soreness and improve range of motion.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\nOur poor posture, tight muscles, and stiffness are the results of our lifestyle. Repetitive exercise, sitting at a desk, and habits all contribute towards feeling not so flexible or balanced as we wish to be. However, several practices can help you increase mobility and flexibility, such as yoga and foam rolling\u2014but which one is better?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yoga and foam rolling are excellent practices to relax, lengthen, and strengthen your muscles. Yoga does so through <\/strong>asanas<\/strong><\/a> held for many breath cycles and stretching. Foam rolling is a tool that assists with <\/strong>self-myofascial release (SMR)<\/strong><\/a> techniques to reduce soreness and improve range of motion.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this post, we'll cover:<\/p>\n
Crafting a yoga definition<\/a> is not a simple task, especially as this practice is over 5,000 years old and can assume several meanings and layers depending on how a yogi (or yoga practitioner) decides to use its power. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The fourth limb of yoga is Pranayama\u2014or breathing. The two limbs are often interconnected and leveraged by yogis at the same time. After all, practices such as Vinyasa<\/a> Yoga are based on the “gradual progression” or seamless movement from one Asana to another\u2014following your breath. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alongside yoga and foam rolling, several other practices could help you find the muscle flexibility and range of motion you have always wanted to achieve. So, why yoga?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The benefits of yoga go way beyond simply helping your muscles relax. Indeed, the postures\u2014or asanas\u2014have the primary objective to help the yogi build enough strength, balance, and stamina to face long meditation sessions. In turn, meditation has been seen to have endless benefits on the mind and body, from helping you keep stress at bay to changing your personality<\/a> to better react to changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of course, these are only the physical benefits of practicing yoga\u2014but there are also endless psychological and therapeutic benefits<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A foam roller is a prop used for self-myofascial release (SMR) practices. This term refers to those techniques that use a tool (like the foam roller) to massage a muscle firmly. Other tools used might include a massage ball or massage stick. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most SMR techniques aim to fight muscle tightness, reduce soreness<\/a>, and keep at bay inflammation. While doing so, foam rolling can help your muscles relax and lengthen, thus increasing your range of motion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, another study shows that foam rolling is one of the only techniques that does not affect your performance<\/a> and allow you to gain the range of motion you need for cycling, running or hiking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yoga can be extremely beneficial, but it will take time to show you the results you want. Instead, foam rolling is a quick solution to implement, and it can be safely added<\/a> to your daily workout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Depending on what your goal is, you are more likely to prefer one practice over the other. If you wish muscle and joint flexibility to be a positive side effect of your body becoming stronger, better-balanced, and more agile, yoga is a safe bet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of course, yoga will require you to commit to a daily practice if you wish to see results. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You are likely to notice your hamstrings, calves, and quads muscles starting to become more flexible\u2014but it will require you to introduce flexibility training<\/a> in your yoga practice daily. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Indeed, only 10 seconds of foam rolling<\/a> before your regular training will offer you the muscle flexibility and range of motion needed for better physical performance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you wish to harvest the benefits of both practices, you might decide to use foam rolling in combination with your regular yoga practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This option can be an excellent way to gain the range of motion necessary to enhance your Ashtanga<\/a> or other yoga practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
