Categories
Why Yoga Deserves a Spot in Your Weekly Training Plan
At Iceni, we often talk about training for longevity—not just to look good, but to feel good and move well for life. And while strength training is our bread and butter, we’re firm believers in balancing the heavy lifts with something a little slower, a little softer… something like yoga.
Here’s why yoga isn’t just a “nice-to-have”—it’s a powerful tool for recovery, performance, and long-term health.
1. Yoga Is Restorative—And That’s Not the Same as “Easy”
Yoga helps downregulate the nervous system, reduce stress, and shift the body into a parasympathetic state—crucial for recovery. Most of us are stuck in “go mode” all day long: work stress, phone notifications, the constant buzz of life. Yoga gives your body and mind permission to slow down.
It’s not about switching off completely—it’s about switching gears.
A restorative class can help:
- Improve sleep quality
- Reduce muscle tension
- Enhance recovery between strength sessions
- Lower cortisol levels and improve your stress response
2. It Complements Strength Training Perfectly
Lifting heavy and pushing hard in the gym builds strength, power, and resilience. But it also shortens muscles and tightens connective tissue if not balanced with mobility work.
Yoga brings:
- Greater joint range of motion
- Improved flexibility and posture
- Better body awareness and control
- Breathing patterns that support performance and recovery
This isn’t about becoming a pretzel. It’s about moving well and staying pain-free. If you want to deadlift into your 70s (and we hope you do), yoga helps make that possible.
3. Mixing Up Your Training Keeps It Sustainable
Sticking to one style of training can lead to plateaus—both physically and mentally. Incorporating yoga adds variety, which is key for long-term consistency. It keeps things interesting, gives your joints a break, and challenges your body in a different way.
More importantly, it creates balance. The stronger you get, the more important mobility, stability, and breathwork become.
Final Thoughts: It’s Not Either/Or
You don’t have to trade your barbell for a yoga mat. But adding one or two sessions a week could be the missing piece that helps everything else feel smoother—your lifts, your recovery, your sleep, and your mindset.
At Iceni, we don’t just train hard—we train smart. And yoga is a smart move.