29/04/2024
Running, yoga and marathons
Just recently we gathered in our studio and talked about running, yoga, and marathons. Our teachers - Natasha Balashova and Maya Korolko talked about their running experience, about yoga for runners and running for yoga, and the wonderful Natalya Sedykh, who ran and took third place in one of the most difficult marathons on the planet - Marathon Des Sables - came to visit us. 250 km in the Sahara desert. For those who were not able to come and meet the girls in person, we asked them to answer several questions, it turned out to be a very large article, we will publish it in parts. We hope that their exploits will inspire you too. Today we are publishing an interview with Natasha Sedykh.
- Natasha, tell me how to decide on such an adventure? Is it difficult?
— It’s easy to decide on such an adventure if you don’t think about what others will say? In general, public opinion has absolutely nothing to do with this, because society, by definition, will always try to suppress “upstarts” and unconventionally thinking individuals. The concept of complexity is relative. It is already difficult for some to climb to the 9th floor. I am convinced that the decisive factors in overcoming any difficulties by a person are his internal qualities. I was convinced for myself: a positive attitude, strong motivation and a little luck decide everything.
— Why is it worth running such marathons? How do you feel as a winner of a marathon of this magnitude?
The concept of scale for me, like everything else in this life, is also relative. Now I don’t see anything supernatural in the fact that I took a prize in the international competition among amateurs. After all, the job is done. Although during preparation I had absolutely no idea how this test would be given to me, what the competition would be, because I had never participated in extreme racing. There were many nuances: it was important to prepare yourself not only physically, mentally, but also technically: not to make a mistake with the choice of equipment, equipment and nutrition. All this also does not guarantee success. An intestinal infection or injury was the easiest to get. The friendly atmosphere in our Russian team greatly helped me recover between races and overcome everyday difficulties. This factor cannot be underestimated, because the struggle in such races is primarily psychological. Therefore, I consider my success not so much as my own, but as a team one.
— How to motivate yourself to do (running, sports, yoga, your favorite activity, whatever)?
“I am convinced that every sane person is capable of setting goals and achieving them. It's a matter of personal interest, which is usually the hardest thing to induce. Often imaginary goals are set, the achievement of which is necessary for everyone, but not for you. For example, you understand that it would be great to feel like “you belong” surrounded by athletic people in the best fitness club in our city, to catch admiring glances of the opposite s*x, listen to compliments about your figure, and to shine with your toned, enviable shape on the city beach. You will be socially successful and popular, because society will approve of your choice. What if it didn’t approve? What if such success were not recognized by society? Would you regularly drag yourself out of a warm bed early for your next workout in the rain and stop before the chocolate temptations at night? Understand the value of your work for yourself personally. There is no need to look for willpower and hope that it will suddenly appear. It must be nurtured and developed throughout life. Listen to yourself, your true desires more often and compare yourself with your surroundings less often. Be serious, because you will have to swim against the usual tide. Not everyone succeeds in this, but this does not mean that it will not work for you. Positive thoughts, integrity and consciousness of the actions you take will bring the first results. And it will be easier there)))
You don’t have to run to the Sahara to expand the scope of your existence. Russia is now full of interesting and inexpensive starts or any other adventures that can really shake you up. And if you look harder, then in Perm you will probably find something that you have never tried in your life. In my opinion, our city is not at all gray, as is commonly believed. After all, everything is determined by our consciousness and thoughts. Therefore, I wish everyone not to be afraid of their dreams and make them come true!
We run 365 days a year, every day, in cold, snow, heat and rain... We do yoga every day: at the airport, in a clearing on the street, in the gym - everywhere. Nothing can stop us. Today we are publishing an interview with Natasha Balashova about the Yoga&Run direction, about yoga-running-travels.
— Many people are very interested in how and why a yoga teacher discovered and became interested in running. What prompted you to start running in the first place? Was yoga alone not enough for you?