Yoga for Enhanced Athletic Performance
by Ali Singer
Research studies show that yoga is a great complement to any sport. It enables you to approach your physical peak and utilize the power of fine-tuned concentration to improve overall performance. Along with increasing strength, coordination, flexibility, and focus, statistics show that yoga expedites muscle recovery, allowing practitioners to rapidly advance their training regimen and stay ahead of the competition. If your progression has plateaued or if you want to see improved results, yoga may very well be your solution. When you continuously work through repetitive movements, the body eventually develops muscular imbalances and exercise effectiveness starts to wear off.
Additionally, you may suffer strenuous tension which can block range of motion and lead to injury. The practice of yoga targets a wide range of untapped muscle groups and increases flexibility for reduced muscle tightness and conditioned joints allowing you to exhibit a high range of motion and efficient movements. Additionally, elastic muscles and supple joints are better adept for recovery thus allowing you to gain from a rigorous training regimen. Many professional athletes practice yoga for the physical workout and credit the mental benefits for improving their game as well. Athletes who practice yoga are equipped to succeed through their ability to harness the body’s most powerful tool: the mind. Utilizing meditation and breathing techniques, yoga enables you to increase brain power thereby optimizing focus and attention.
The mental benefits of increased willpower and concentration allow you to overcome obstacles like negative thought patterns and distractions. Yoga trains the mind to support your desire to win by initiating crucial progression to victory through conviction and visualization. If you want to experience the full benefits that yoga has to offer, seek out a qualified coach for one-on-one instruction. While group and online classes offer some level of structure and explanation, you will experience the benefits more rapidly by learning in a personalized context with an experienced teacher who can create a customized routine to complement sport-specific training.
Look for an instructor who will structure sessions in a series, track performance, and shore up weaknesses. The personal attention you receive in a private session should also ensure proper alignment and a safe practice.
If you’re interested in reading more from Coach Ali, check out her profile or head to her blog!
