Yoga helps strengthen both the structural muscles that support the body’s weight and the deep core muscles that improve athletic performance.

 

It also improves posture and keeps you injury free while training and while living everyday life.

Gentle, mindful yoga sequences relax and lengthen the muscles and offer a full range of motion in the joints. 

 

This improves flexibility that’s safe for muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

Using yoga poses that strengthen and balance the muscles around the joints supports joint health. 

 

A yoga practice that moves all the joints in the body in their full range of motion improves the flow of synovial fluid, which lubricates joints, allowing for smooth and healthy movement of the bones.

 

Synovial fluid also delivers fresh oxygen and nutrients to the joint cartilage, helping to restore it and keep it healthy.

Yoga can help to address any muscular imbalances, lengthening tight areas and strengthening weak ones. Body postures decline due to our habitual repetitive movement patterns in sports and during an average day.  When we spend a long time working at a computer or texting on cell phones,  we slump with rounded shoulders.

 

Over time the back muscles become weak and the chest muscles become tight, exacerbating the rounded posture. Yoga can help stretch out the chest and strengthen the back muscles.  Yoga also cultivates body and posture awareness, so that you can automatically return to a healthier alignment both while you train and throughout the day.

Breathing techniques used in yoga restore balance and vitality to the body.

 

Controlled breathing can increase energy levels, relax both the mind and the muscles, and reduce stress, all of which is beneficial to any athlete.

 

Breath work also relieves anxiety and depression. A regular yoga practice can improve lung capacity and breathing both in healthy adults as well as those with asthma.

A balanced yoga practice incorporates the body, mind and breath with each pose.  This kind of mindful movement cultivates laser focus in the present moment and eliminates constant mind chatter.

 

This promotes positive mental health,  strengthens the immune system, improves relationships and reduces depression and anxiety.

 

It also improves sleep and enhances well-being, greatly improving quality of life. It’s a practice that continues to benefit you off the mat both in your preferred athletic endeavor and in life!