Some may say that yoga and swords don't really mesh but yoga can add enormous benefit to one's workout routine. Practicing yoga develops strength and endurance, enhances your focus, improves your balance and increases your performance in every aspect of your life. It works the whole body synergistically, working every joint, muscle and fiber improving all of your bodies functions. Several eastern martial arts that use swords also use some form of yoga , tai chi or stretching in their practices, Japanese Bushido, Kendo and Shaolin Kung Fu come to mind.
While strength is a major consideration in HEMA, especially with larger weapons like the Poleaxe or Montante, I would argue that speed and endurance are more important. With technique being equal, the faster swordsman will win. I mostly use yoga as either a cool down after kettlebells or bodyweight sets or to keep me active on rest days. If I hit the weights a little too hard and two days after I am still sore, a 20 minute session works out the kinks and I am ready to continue the next day.
Lastly I like how yoga aids my focus. I am fairly active, mentally, and that combines with a photographic memory my brain is like a web browser with about sixteen windows open all the time. Physical activity help settle this down to some degree and yoga aids this further. After a session I can focus better without so many mental distractions. I seem to be treading close to Kendo's Mokuso and that is exactly what I am looking for. Mental discipline is every bit as important as physical when it comes to HEMA or any martial art.
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