Working Out While Sick

Just after feeling all inspired to sharpen my focus, set goals, lift heavier, dominate the world, etc., I got a sore throat.  Then came the aches and fatigue.  I shook that off only to be visited by the same symptoms a few days later, but worse.  Then I developed a wretched cough and entered phlegm town U.S.A.

Being sick for over a week has been frustrating, to say the least.  At night I'm a miserable mess and have been missing out on valuable rest.  Several days I've been hopeful enough to pack my gym bag, hoping to hit the garage for some kind of CrossFit action, only to retreat home at the end of the day feeling tired and defeated.

One thing that has managed to make me feel like I'm still on track, fitness-wise, is yoga. When healthy, I try to do yoga at least once a week.  When sick, it seems to be my go-to workout (if I have the energy).  It's not because I think it's too easy and doesn't count as a real workout, it's just not what I prefer right now in an everyday exercise program.  Since discovering CF, I've come to love short aggressive workouts and lifting heavy things. This past week I've been in need of something gentler, and I've been able to do yoga when I haven't been able to do much else.  I admit, if I had a full blown illness I would not recommend doing Yoga or any kind of workout, but for cold-like symptoms that tease at normal health, it's just right.

I took my first yoga class at age 12 while in ballet camp from a group of Russian instructors who couldn't speak English. It was an awkward and mind blowing experience.  We did breathing exercises and head stands, and had permission to stick our butts out and let our feet turn in. It was the greatest departure from ballet that I'd ever experienced and it felt radical and liberating.

A happy place.

Over the years I've tried all kinds of yoga and have developed my own snobbery about it.  I don't prefer to mix it into a cocktail with other exercises, but to keep it pure, and keep it in a studio (as opposed to a gym).  My favorite is Ashtanga.  Less static than Hatha, Ashtanga focuses on the flow from one position to the other.  It always begins with sun salutation, then moves on to various levels of difficulty and can include back bends and inverted poses, my favorites.  It's great fun.  More info from Wikipedia. 

I could write an entire blog about the benefits of yoga. For CrossFitters, yoga can be used as "active rest" and in turn prevent injuries.  While yoga won't have the same aggressive demands as a WOD, it will compliment a CF regimen by improving flexibility and softening muscles. It's a perfect low-key, I'm-so-sore-I-can't-walk, rest day workout. There are many videos available and one can learn and practice at home, which is a great way to get started.

To me, CrossFit is the ideal way to achieve fitness while yoga is the ideal way to achieve lifelong vitality. Anyway, next time you visit phlegm town U.S.A. you may not be able to attack a hard WOD, but you can drag out your yoga mat and breathe your way back to health.