Beyond flexibility and balance, athletes are using yoga to strengthen their bodies and minds to boost their performance. A regular yoga practice prevents injury, enhances muscle function, and combats stress — three key components of sports performance.
Rugby for instance, is a physically demanding sport that requires players to have a high level of mobility, flexibility and stability. Yoga helps Rugby players improves strength, flexibility, control and endurance, and also deeply enhances professional athletic training regimes, by working to improve muscular posture, avoid injury and stimulate recovery. Read more.
Runners also benefit from yoga. The repetitive nature of running can lead to muscle imbalances and tightness, which can lead to injuries. Yoga helps to alleviate this by stretching and strengthening the muscles, as well as improving balance and stability. Yoga can strengthen particular muscle groups that may get neglected when you run helping to balance strength, increase range of motion and sync breathing. Read more.
And if you’re into cycling, well you will also gain from yoga. Cyclists spend a lot of time in the same position, which can lead to tightness in the hips and lower back. Yoga alleviates this by stretching and strengthening these areas, as well as improving flexibility and stability. Yoga helps cyclists improve their breathing and focus, which can be especially beneficial during long rides. Read more.
So, if you’re looking to take your performance to the next level, consider incorporating yoga into your training routine. Your body (and mind) will thank you!