Bodybuilding without yoga makes no sense. Have you noticed an increase in the number of yoga instructors in CrossFit gyms? Or how about NFL teams incorporating yoga into their weekly routine?

Yoga not only benefits the body, but it also provides mental peace and relief. Stress in the body is one thing, but stress in the mind is a different story.

Yoga and bodybuilding complement each other for a variety of reasons. The following are the top three

1.Yoga allows your muscles to fire more efficiently without shutting down in response to tendons that are stretched.

A weight belt is no longer necessary. You'll learn how to use your abs, which are your body's natural stabilizers.

Yogic can target muscle groups that don't respond well to traditional weightlifting.

Power If you want to strengthen your body and gain muscle, Vinyasa yoga is a great option. This is the yoga for bodybuilders that they should do on days when they aren't lifting weights. It's easy on the body and allows for deep stretching and strengthening without the use of weights.

If you're a bodybuilder who suffers from chronic pain, you should look into Yin yoga. Through relaxation, yin lengthens connective tissue and encourages joints to reach full flexion and extension. Muscle tension and joint pain will be relieved with this type of yoga.

Restorative yoga is the third type of yoga that is beneficial for aches and pains. This type of yoga focuses on healing and realignment through supportive postures and sequences, making it ideal for people recovering from injuries.

To get you started on your bodybuilding yoga journey, here are a few poses to try:

This is one of the best restorative yoga poses for people who travel, are on their feet a lot, or have desk jobs where their feet are always pointed toward the ground.

To perform the pose, look for an empty wall nearby. Come to a back-to-back position with your knees bent. While walking your feet up the wall, scoot your bum as close to the wall as possible. Your bum will eventually be flush against the wall, with your legs resting against it above you.

You can rest your hands on your stomach or spread your arms out on either side, palms up, in the shape of a big "T."

This is my personal favorite and best hip-opening stretch. Your body will thank you if you hold this pose for at least 20 seconds.

Begin in Downward Facing Dog and work your way up to Pigeon Pose. On an exhale, lift your right leg towards the sky on an inhale, bend the knee, and bring the right knee along the center-line of the body towards the front of the mat. Place the right knee behind the right wrist and gently lower the left leg to the mat. Uncurl the toes on your left leg so that it is nice and long behind you.

Stay in this position with your spine straight, or walk your hands out in front of you as far as is comfortable, so you're resting over the right leg. To avoid spilling onto your right knee, keep your weight centered and lifted. An injury could occur if too much pressure is applied to the right knee.

Stay in this position for 8-10 breaths, or as long as you feel comfortable.

To exit the pose, walk the hands back under the shoulders, curl the left toes under, lift the left knee off the ground, and send the right leg back to meet the left in Downward Facing Dog on a large exhale, pouring weight into the hands.

I've overheard bodybuilders discussing digestive issues and tight lower backs. A spinal twist is a great way to loosen up your spine and get your digestion moving.

Starting from a seated position with your legs straight out in front of you, bend the right knee and gently place the right foot on the outside of the left leg. On an exhale, hook the left elbow over the right knee and twist the torso open to the right.