You may have strayed a bit from your yoga practice as summer approaches, with your activity calendar filling with other forms of exercise. After all, the sun is shining and you are ready to get moving, sweating, stretching and sporting. We are here to encourage you to keep yoga (or bring it back!) in your daily life - not in lieu of those activities but as a compliment to them!
Yoga pairs perfectly with other sports, exercises and routines. Let’s talk about those!
First, if you jump into your weekly golf game without a deep and purposeful stretch, you increase the odds of injury. Five to fifteen minutes of yogic breathing and movement is an excellent way to prepare your body and your mind for superior golf action. Stretch those limbs, open your airways, clear your mind with a short yoga session and we bet that you’ll see improvements in your game.
Yoga improves balance, strength, and agility. It also improves your posture and clears away brain fog so that your volleyball/trail running/disc golf game is at 100%.
In fact, any competitive game or sport activity can be enhanced with yoga. As you move your body through its limits (and limiting thoughts), yoga can help you find creative ways to challenge your competitors. And when in deep competition, the breathwork that you learn through yoga will help you focus and strategize.
Yoga is also perfect for those who have already experienced an injury, including pulled muscles and sprains. It is extremely important to stretch ahead of any physical activity if you are injured, so that you improve your flexibility and reduce further risks.
Whether you are into cycling, hiking, climbing, water sports, or any summer fitness activity, yoga is the perfect partner. Not only will your activity improve with yoga prior to the game or activity, but it’s also an exceptional way to recover when you have pushed your body and mind to its brink.
Yin Yoga offers a reset – physically, mentally and spiritually – with intentional movement, calming breathwork and long, slow rests. When you come off the bike or the trail, be sure to refuel your body with water, nutritional food, and a yoga routine designed to recover.
So when planning your summer sports calendar, make sure to pencil in regular yoga. Everything is a lot more fun when yoga supports your movement and activity!