when is yoga appropiate?

[chi sao]

Hello, I was wondering when you guys think some Yoga would be appropriate during my routines.

The routine I follow is on/off strength training and running/speed days. For example, weights on MWF and running/speed training on T&TH. Is Yoga appropriate during the 'cooldown' after each workout, or before I go to bed?

[Lisa~]

Are you also doing any martial arts right now? Do you have any flexibility/mobility issues that concern you?

This is a touchy question to answer because I happen to think very highly of yoga, but it has been appropriately criticized for its emphasis on lumbar flexibility. The way yoga is taught in many gyms, more as a cardio class or as a stretching class, is not what yoga is really about. So my answer has a lot of "it depends" clauses in it. :p

Here is a link to a thread that introduces an article Eric Cressey wrote called Yoga This and Pilates That. You can read it on the FitCast.com website (there is a link in the thread), but also please read the discussion in the thread. This discussion might help you decide if yoga is a good choice for you, or if there are other modalities that might suit you better.

Eric Cressey: Yoga This and Pilates That