Yoga for MMA

I have borrowed a link from a group I belong to's blog the link will be listed at the bottom of this post. For those that feel like MMA is all about fighting, pushing weights and being the biggest tank in the cage this a great read to maybe persuade you to the light. It is as solid of a base as any other work you do towards your game. Yoga builds your core and keeps your joints limber. This means less likely to be injured and less momentum on your part to push through you techniques which can equate to a longer tank of gas for you.

My good friend Levi Wampler is the owner of the below link. His site MMA Striking Coach Association is a great location for MMA training info and other useful insight. From Muay Thai, Boxing and several other standing forms to BJJ defenses.

http://mmastrikingcoach.com/2012/02/07/how-to-use-yoga-to-achieve-excellence-in-mma/#comment-131

Down and Out With an Old Man Back

I'll admit I have been plagued by what seems my entire life with a bad back.  However, for about three weeks now my pain has set in and not left this time. I can usually relieve my pain via a few good back weight lifting days and bam its all better. This one has seemed to sink its teeth into my spin and has found no desire to let go. I have been taking the pain killers and muscle relaxer given to me by my doc and have now advanced to a steroid program to relieve the inflammation. I pain has at least leveled out to a point were I've grown to tolerate it. I have recently adopted a plan of performing a twice daily yoga routine surrounded by principals of strengthening the lower back and core specially. The entire session last a mere 15 min. and absolutely does not increase the pain. The upside is after two days I've been able to walk a much longer period than just 10 min., which is all the longer I could walk just days prior. My hopes and belief is that building my my core up for the next week then adding body weight only exercise based off of the book "Special Ops Fitness Training" written by Mark De Lisle. I have used this program in the past and seen tremendous gains in strength and a noticeable loss in body fat. So double bonus with the simple training program.

Please if you have an alterative to getting a back back to letting me do my MMA and my normal weight training let me know. I also am missing the eating 3500 calories a day without putting on any extra pounds :-) I was just in the start of training with a local team that offers both a level 3 instructor in American Top Team and an instructor in Gracie's BJJ.

Thanks for the help or at least the time to take the read.