3 Ways to Reduce Soreness After Yoga or a Workout

Photo by Tom Huynh.

Are you sore from yoga class, or maybe you took a bootcamp class or went for a run? ;)

I find my muscles are sore often, from teaching and practicing yoga.

Here are my top 3 remedies for relieving soreness after a big workout.

Photo by Tom Huynh.

3 Ways to Reduce Soreness After Yoga or Working Out

1. Take an epsom salt bath. Epsom Salt is a pure mineral compound (magnesium sulfate) in crystal form. Soaking in an Epsom Salt bath is one of the most effective means of making the magnesium your body needs readily available. Not only does epsom salt soothe muscle pain, but it also cleanses your pores and detoxifies your skin. Amazing! My hands-down favorite brand to use is SF Salt Co, specifically their muscle soak with eucalyptus and peppermint and their sleep formula with lavender. 

I shared this salt with a friend recently who was so sore she could hardly walk (her quads were burning!) and afterward she felt much better. I've also relied heavily on epsom salt baths to get through a yoga teacher training-- it adds up quick when you're practicing 2 or 3 times a day! Even just after one yoga class, you could draw your bath, add a glass of wine and a candle and it's such a lovely way to wind down after a long day.

2. Hydrate. Drink more water before and after your workout. Especially if you are doing heated yoga or it's spring or summer with warmer temperatures, adding more water to your daily habit will help from getting sore. Carry your water bottle with you everywhere you go as a reminder to drink water throughout your day.

Photo by Tom Huynh.

3. Take rest, stretch, and use a foam roller or wheel. One of the best ways to reduce soreness is to get another yoga class in :) You could also do a relaxing, restorative yin sequence or 3 simple sun salutations at home. Deepen your breath to allow more access to deeper tissue in the body. Here's a good list of poses to try, or these restorative poses. Another good thing to remember is to give yourself rest days where you aren't doing a big workout, so your muscles can recover. Last and certainly not least, consider investing in a dense foam roller! I use mine almost daily, under my back, and to release tightness in my legs (quads and shins). Another effective option is the Dharma Yoga Wheel, which helps open the back, chest, shoulders, and hamstrings.

Cheers to feeling energized and releasing any soreness you've got going on!

Namaste, friends.

PS Do you teach yoga? Here are tips for taking care of yourself as a yoga teacher.