Yoga for Runners

Starting on Saturday, August 15, Lincoln Park's Infuse Yoga Spa begins a monthly clinic that teaches yoga and bodywork techniques runners can do at home to target problem areas, prevent injuries and improve performance.

"Running, or any other repetitive muscle movement, causes certain muscles to tighten, cramp and hold tension, which results in pain. With yoga, you're stretching those tight areas and lengthening muscles that are habitually shortening during your regular running training," says Infuse owner, Andrea Klunder, who is also a licensed Thai Bodywork therapist and yoga instructor. "But sometimes when you have a muscle that is really tight and strong, if you just stretch it, you're just giving it more of a strain, so bodywork is important because you can manipulate the tissue to release those holding patterns in order to stretch and lengthen the muscle."

The idea for the clinic came about when Andrea had to stop teaching during a class to show a fellow instructor a few self-care techniques because she was experiencing pain from her morning run. When the instructor, Christy Lyons, who'll be co-leading the clinic with Thai therapist Jennifer Wright, felt instant relief, she immediately asked Andrea if they could share the technique with others.

The clinic kicks off this Saturday from 2-4 p.m. with a focus on healthy hips. It starts with a 50-minute yoga for runners class and closes with a discussion and demonstration on practical myofascial trigger point and Thai therapy techniques to alleviate pain.

The next session, Pain Free Knees, is on September 12 and the clinic closes on October 3 with All in the Feet.

Infuse instructor Christy Lyons with client/runner Erin Malmquist

Also worth noting, through October 31, runners with proof of registration from any 2009 race (whether that be a 5k or the Chicago marathon), receive a 90-minute Thai bodywork session for the price of a 60-minute.

Infuse Yoga Spa is located at 2536 N Halsted St., the Yoga for Runners Clinic is $40 for one session or $25 each for two or more. Call Infuse at 773-880-8055 or visit their website to register.