Sore Muscles and Muscle Cramps
Muscle soreness and cramps are usually a result of strenuous or new activity. Either you’ve pushed the body to the limit during a workout, or you’ve indulged in a new routine, one that your body isn’t accustomed to yet.
While sore muscles result from microscopic muscle damage, cramps refer to the involuntary contractions of muscles. Both soreness and cramping can be incredibly uncomfortable and could hinder your normal schedules and hinder activity.
How to Prevent Sore Muscles and Cramps?
If you want to prevent muscle cramps and cure sore muscles, give yoga a shot. Yoga is a fitness regime that works on the body and mind. It ensures complete fitness without the customary aches and pains. It can be used as a complete fitness routine or as one to complement your regular training. Practicing yoga helps to deal with stiffness and soreness of the muscles post a gym workout. Practicing yoga will also allow you to get the most out of your gym workout without the risk of injury.Yoga incorporates the practice of deep breathing in conjunction with gentle exercises. This transports fresh blood and nutrients to the muscles in the body. This makes the muscles stronger. With regular yoga the muscles in the body aren’t as susceptible to injury as they used to be.
Yoga also helps flush out the lactic acid build up from the muscles after an intense workout. This waste material causes soreness after exercise. By flushing out the acid and supplying the muscles with fresh blood, yoga ensures that you are pain free.
Intense exercise forces your muscles to tighten. This in turns makes you susceptible to cramps and other muscle injuries. By complementing your workout with yoga practice, you ensure the muscles retain flexibility and range of motion. This stops them from tightening up, and leaves you injury free.
In addition, there are several yoga postures your can practice to prevent sore muscles and cramps.
- Cobra Posture – This pose is excellent for curing muscle soreness in the lower back and spinal areas. Spread a yoga mat or a thick blanket on the floor and lie down on your stomach. Place your hands on the floor, below your shoulders, assuming the push-up position. Make sure your feet are stretched out on the floor, without a bend. Gently push off the floor using your arms to propel you. Keep your forearms on the floor at all times, as you lift your head and chest. Don’t arch your back too much. Hold thisposition for a few counts before returning to original position. Repeat posture five times.
- Standing Abdominal Stretch – Assume a standing position with feet placed wide apart. Rest your hands at the back of the hips. Ensure the back is straight and the shoulders are relaxed. Lean back and lift your chest upwards, so that your muscles are well stretched. Hold position for a few counts before returning to original position. Repeat this pose five times.
- Cow-face Pose – Sit in the lotus position with your right leg place over the left. Bend the left knee close to your body. Bend your right knee and pull it as close to the left side of your hip as you possibly can. Lift your right hand above and over your head and place it on the upper back. Crook the left hand at the elbow and place it on the lower back. Clasp your hands and hold the position for a few counts. Repeat this posture five times.
Be sure to warm up before you practice yoga for sore muscles and cramps. Also be regular with your practice for best results.
