As a mixed martial artist you have to develop all the muscles in your body to the fullest allowing them to become stronger and more flexible. Some people find it beneficial to work out in the gym, but it is always best to try a more complex and all-encompassing system of exercise. Yoga can help you develop your core strength and flexibility, allowing you to work all your muscles as well as bones, joints and tendons. Most importantly you will be able to develop your endurance to the fullest exploiting all your strength and potential.

It is essential to keep in mind that all the yoga poses known as asanas work toward the improvement of your physical stamina as well as your mental endurance. By performing a set of simple asanas every day you will be able to fight longer and better with your kicks and hits being more powerful and exact. The practicing of yoga will also develop other important skills a fighter needs such as your balance, which will allow you to position yourself more accurately and firmly. Your breathing is extremely important and yoga will aid you in mastering all the breathing techniques you can use. You will be able to clear your mind and become more focused more easily and quickly.

It is best to rely on a trained specialist to devise your program according to your needs and physical potential. This mentor will make sure you are performing all the asanas correctly and will monitor your progress helping you along the way. The yoga practices do not have to take up a large part of your time. However, it is important to devote time to them regularly in order to achieve the desired results.

By performing the various asanas in the correct way you will be able to achieve a complete unity between your body and your inner self. This will help you improve all the aspects of your fighting.

Patanjali Yoga is one of the founding philosophies of the movement created, according to the most recent researches, around the 2nd century BC. The lengthy text divided into four main books in the form of sutras or threads presenting the ancient wisdom that can guide us. Behind the simplicity, however, lies a complicated thought that yogis have tried to interpret for thousands of years. The Patanjali Yoga can help martial artists to train their inner self, allowing themselves to become better fighters thanks to the eight limbs, on which Patanjali Yoga is based.

Yama is a set of social principles based on morals that will help you rediscover the core values of martial arts. It proclaims for nonviolence and truth and honesty as well as for abandonment of all greed.

Niyama is perhaps the most important part of Patanjali Yoga for martial artists as it teaches you how to treat your inner self in a responsible manner. You will be able to achieve purity of the mind and soul through the practice of the yamas of the first limb. Contentment is also essential for finding your true self – moments of happiness should be welcomed. Adopting discipline in training your body as well as in your mind and speech will allow you to have total control of yourself.

Asana is the third limb that proclaims the practice of the special poses not as exercises, but as part of the spiritual preparation for meditation. Martial artists will benefit greatly from Pranayama, which presents a full teaching of breathing techniques allowing for physical endurance and concentration.

With mastering Pratyahara you will be able to prevent the different environmental distractions from disturbing your inner concentration. The Dharana limb teaches you how to focus on an object. After achieving concentration the fighter can go into a state of Dhyana – interrupted meditation allowing for perfect self awareness.

While practicing all these techniques the yogis has one sole purpose – to reach Samadhi. This limb is the ultimate bliss allowing you to become one with the universe.

The benefits of practicing yoga along with mixed martial arts are numerous. Apart from efficiently increasing your strength, the performance of various exercises can help you become more flexible and more focused as well as less stressed. There are a number of asanas that will aid you in developing your core strength, which in turn will allow you to fight better and to sustain fewer injuries.

The Vrksasana, also known as the tree pose, requires you to stand on the floor with your two feet together and buttocks tight. After lifting your hands up and straightening your back you will be able to breathe better. Next you should slowly lift your left leg with the knee bent sticking your left foot onto your right thigh. The Utkatasana requires you to stand up and move your buttocks downwards keeping your arms up. Then you should lift your chest keeping your back straight.

The Plank is an unofficial asana, but it has proven to be efficient in developing the muscles of the body. You can also using as a starting position for a number of other asanas. You can use the traditional standard Plank you are used to. From this position you can perform the Chaturanga Dandasana by lowering your body to almost touch the ground. It is essential to move your elbows upwards and not on the side. You can also use the basic Plank position to perform the Vasisthasana. Turn on your left by bringing all the strength on your right hand and foot. While keeping your back straight, put your left foot on the right one and lift your left hand up, do not tuck your elbow.

You have to hold each position for thirty seconds and repeat it three times to achieve optimal strengthening in your muscles. In turn, you will improve your performance in the mixed martial arts.

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.