Years ago when I tore my hamstring, I turned to yoga . It was a great way to develop more muscle and strength through my glutes, hamstrings and all things connected in the pelvis, strength that I desperately needed if I wanted to be able to return to running. And, during that less active period of my life (cycling was about the only thing that I could do), coming out of a hot yoga studio drenched in sweat was psychologically powerful.

After entering the world of multisport, my visits to the yoga studio had become less frequent. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to go, but I just didn’t have the time. Swimming, biking, running, family, teaching…..these were my priorities. Yoga had its spot at the bottom of my list.

Over the past year, I have noticed a gradual change in my running gait. My stride had changed, my balance was off and my footfall felt different. For a long time, I attributed this to the change in intensity (or complete absence) of workouts. Other times, I thought it was a result of wearing a shoe with a slightly higher heel drop or stack height. And I couldn’t ignore that this could just be a part of aging.

My “a-ha” moment came out of the blue. Somehow I made the connection between power yoga and my general fitness. Time away from the studio has meant less focus on balancing, working my core, stretching tired muscles and building strength. As I type, I wonder how I could have possibly missed this.

At my last physio appointment, I proudly told my therapist that I had started yoga classes again. “I knew something was missing and, then, it dawned on me: yoga. I ran on the day after my first class back and I felt completely different. My balance was stronger and my landing was better. So now I am making time for yoga in my training.” My physiotherapist nodded in agreement, then added anecdotal evidence to support that yoga is great way to strengthen toes and feet, something that can benefit all athletes, especially runners. I was also reminded that being in a hot studio is good for my joints and it would probably help me with racing on hotter summer days.

I’ve started back with twice a week. With swimming, I don’t know if my upper body can handle that much more so I am being careful. The goal is to get back to two to three times a week by the end of the summer, or ten classes a month. I think that will make a huge difference for me.

My hiatus has ended and I am finding my way back to my mat.