In order to be in peak condition for their chosen sport or sports, athletes maintain strenuous workouts and conditioning programs. Many athletes claim they don’t have time for yoga, but we’re here to share how yoga can provide you a competitive edge, whether you’re a weekend warrior or a professional athlete. This week, we’re thrilled to bring you more yoga for athlete’s classes, with a new program from YogaDownload Instructor of the Month, Robert Sidoti. Get ready to enhance your performance and prevent injury.
A well-rounded yoga practice includes dynamic flexibility training, core stabilization, strengthening and balance work.
Often, when athletes stretch pre- or post-workout, they are usually just stretching the muscles in the same direction and plane of motion in which they will be exercising. Yoga goes beyond simple stretching by working the muscles and joints through all ranges of motion--activating the little-used muscles that support the primary movers. The body must be worked through all three planes of motion in order to remain balanced and healthy.
Common overuse injuries among athletes include those involving the illiotibial band (ITB), knee, hamstrings, hip flexors and shoulders.
Often, these injuries are directly linked to lack of flexibility, poor core strength and misalignment. Yoga helps alleviate this tightness, builds a stronger center, and aligns the spine. In order to minimize and/or prevent injury, athletes should concentrate their efforts on these areas.
Many sports, such as golf and tennis, have repetitive movements, usually in one direction and in one plane of motion.
These sports can develop certain muscle groups while ignoring others. Over time, this process causes imbalances in the muscles and joints leading to overuse injuries. For instance, tight hamstrings and hip flexors will cause the body to recruit from other joints, joints not intended for bearing extra loads. By working the body through all planes of motion, yoga creates balance, stability, core strength and flexibility necessary to prevent injury.
In addition, the mind-body connection in yoga is a vital element in building focus and concentration necessary for succeeding on game day. Learning to breathe properly is one of the foundations of yoga. Athletes who learn to stay focused and centered through uncomfortable poses by concentrating on deep inhales and full exhales can utilize yogic breathing techniques to achieve peak stamina and endurance during a game.
Enjoy these specially designed classes by athlete and expert yoga teacher, Robert Sidoti. Yoga can help you recover faster after workouts, open up the tight areas that hinder performance, improve range of motion, and develop mental focus and concentration. This program is beginner friendly, and consists of classes you can return to time and time again for your favorite sports.
Check out our new Yoga For Athletes Program with Robert Sidoti
1. Pre Game Routine
2. Yoga For Golf
3. Yoga For Tennis
4. Yoga For Football
5. Yoga For Baseball
6. Yoga For Soccer