If you are an athlete, then you need to alternate exercises if you intend to refrain from any injuries in the long run. Yoga helps to improve your breathing, body flexibility, balance, and calmness of the mind. So what is the best yoga for athletes, guide or tutor that you can get hold of, which you can easily do in the comfort of your own home with confidence?
The Benefits of Yoga for Athletes
Any sportsman will agree with me by just doing the same movements, as every sport has its own specific movements, which over the years will cause harm to the muscles and body. Professional sportsmen spend their time in the gym centre under the guidance of some coaches. You can do that if you wish too, but personally, I can safely say this is not enough.
I am a sportsman who is still active today, despite the fact that many of my friends have retired from sports due to health concerns and injuries. They were in their prime during their younger days. Mostly, they have given up because of muscular or cardio issues. Ask any squash player or racket sports player about their knee condition when they reach the age of 40. Most of them will have some back or knee problems at a later age.
I do regular yoga per week without fail and still enjoy my badminton. It has improved my flexibility, stamina, power, and balance, which are much needed in my activities. My personal advice to those who are active in some form of sport or those who are not is to take up some simple, systematic yoga. We can do yoga right into old age. But you’ve got to start now for you to understand and really get used to the exercises given.
It proves that yoga helps in having a long and beautiful lifestyle away from diseases. It helps to build your immune system, and it also helps to heal the body of any injuries. Reduce your chances of having a stroke, Parkinson’s disease, or any other type of age-related disease.
There is, however, yoga, which is so advanced that the average person can not handle it on their own. You need to get a qualified tutor and you may have to spend years with him to become an expert. But then again, this form of art is for those seeking peace and solace within themselves towards spirituality. This is another topic altogether.
The Best Gift for an Athlete
What we will discuss here is how we, as athletes, can minimize injuries because of sports that incorporate some poses from yoga. Whether it is running, tennis, golf, cycling, and swimming, or other yoga sequences, they will help to balance the body, increase strength, exercise under-used muscles, and increase flexibility and endurance, while breathing awareness exercises promote stamina, focus, and calmness of the mind.
I came across these DVDs by accident about 15 years ago, which were sold at throwaway prices in a shopping mall. I got hold of many exercise CD’s and some are of no use, but some are still useful till today. Myself, my wife and my two children had so much fun doing the exercises together. We had so much laughter and bonding. Now my children have grown up and are away, but both of us still continue doing the exercises.
The DVD I am talking about is Yoga Conditioning for Athletes by Rodney Yee. It has three main sections, comprising the first part, which is opening or warm-up moves, where he guides you into realizing your body, the shoulders, spine, and hip joints. The second part is conditioning, a total body workout, balance, strength, and flexibility, and the last part is integration, consciously cooling down and relaxing.
And the poses are easy to follow, with clear words describing what you need to work on.
Below is a brief introduction to the DVD by Rodney Yee. Click to play.
About Yoga Conditioning for Athletes
The first part is important in getting ready for the next steps. It’s done systematically. I have used some opening moves taught here for my warm up and cool down sessions for my badminton game.
The second part is where you do some poses that stretch you. Most people will do all the exercises’. In the video, there are three trainers each giving their version. One of them will show the easy ways of doing a pose, another is a lady instructor who helps some sections of the audience, and lastly, Rodney does the actual poses with no modifications. Just tag along with any of them until you get the hang of it.
The third part is so relaxing that you might sleep it off. My wife woke me up a few times. He guides you through some breathing processes, how to “look into” and feel your breath, how to loosen every muscle in your body, using your breath to massage your organs and much more. The music and his voice are so calm that they will get you into a much more relaxed mode.
Additional Advantages of Doing Yoga
There is some meditation involved during all the three sessions where he guides you into healing some of your injuries by concentrated breathing. Meditation is an integral part of yoga where during the exercises you realize your posture, breathing and being conscious at all times. Even a brief meditation session is clinically proven to have benefits for the body’s stress levels and hormones, leading to enhanced well-being and inner peace.
Once you have practised this one hour of exercise frequently, you will notice some of your pain going away and be able to relax, thus leading to good health, vitality, and peace of mind. You will get better, play stronger, and be more efficient in the sports you play. This powerful programme will help you enhance your athletic performance by fully coordinating the mind, body, and breath.
I believe that by doing yoga, you exercise every muscle in your body, no matter how deep it is hidden in your body. For example, the Psoas muscles of the hip flexor group. These muscles are one of the most important muscles in our body and if they are weak, many complications arise.
Well, get fully involved here if you want to believe me.
What Do We need?
Below is a list of items needed to perform this wonderful, fun exercise.
- You need a comfortable, quiet environment in your home. It is good if there are no disturbances during the whole process. The whole hour should be a concentrated effort on the screen.
- A good Yoga mat and some rubber blocks for support. This is important, so you are comfortable while doing all the poses. Concentration should be on the yoga steps, not on the mat or others.
- A TV with a good sound system and a good DVD player for the smooth, undisturbed playing of the whole CD.
Before you Begin
Below are steps taken before venturing into the program. This is for your safety and it will be new. Use your best judgement before beginning.
- Before you start the first time, just go through the entire DVD once and understand what will happen. Pay extreme attention to the instructions given.
- Have your food at least an hour before you intend to do yoga. Also, do not do yoga just before going to sleep.
- If you think a pose is difficult, just do a light one. You don’t have to do the poses exactly. Do not overstrain.
- Initially, try to have some support, like a chair beside you in case you go out of balance.
- If you feel dizzy, just stop and have a seat before continuing.
- Over time, you will be an expert, and you will do all the poses with ease.
Where can I get the DVD “Yoga Conditioning for Athletes”?
There are various sources you can get the DVD from. Also, you might find some people, for various reasons, selling off theirs at a cheaper price. But ensure that there are no scratches which will not give a smooth experience.
But if you intend to practice yoga for a long time, like me, then get a new DVD. It will pay you off in the long run.
You can also click on the link below to purchase the DVD. I may get a small commission on this. Thank you for that.
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In Conclusion
In getting the DVD and practicing yoga, you have nothing to lose and much to gain. Have a go and you will not regret it.
If you have any comments or questions, just write it out and email it back. I will try my level best to answer that and share my experiences.
