The mixed martial arts and yoga are deeply connected despite the common misconception that they are completely different. In fact, yoga is a founding philosophy and discipline for these fighting techniques. By practicing a number of beneficial asanas you will develop your flexibility immensely, which in turn will allow you to throw better punches and kicks and react more accurately when defending yourself. Furthermore, you will be stronger and sustain fewer injuries.
The Paschimottanasana is generally a seated forward bend that works your back and hamstrings as well as your arm muscles. Another yoga position that allow for the exercising of these body muscles is the Parsvottanasana. This intense side stretch pose also improves your stance helping your have better balance during a fight.
In order to train your lower back, core and groin you can perform two asanas providing for perfect flexibility. The Setu Bandha Sarvangasana requires you to lie on the floor and lift your torso and buttocks while keeping your arms and feet on the floor. This so called bridge pose is not hard to perform and is perfect for beginners as well as for advanced mixed martial arts fighters. The Anantasana is a side reclined leg lifting that is also not hard to do.
Those who feel they are flexible enough can try some more complicated asanas. The Utthita Trikonasana allows you to develop flexibility of your core and hamstrings as well as of the sides of your body. The Uttanasana is not simply bending over – it develops the flexibility of your lower back perfectly allowing you to make more accurate moves and more powerful hits when fighting.
The Gomukhasana is known as the cow face pose. By sitting on the floor and crossing your legs one on top of the other you will ideally train your hips, which is essential for a martial artist.