Yoga for Athletes - Igniting Relaxation

Through the years of practicing yoga and teaching yoga I have found that there are quite a few techniques that are beloved by just about everyone - Shavasana as a resting posture, and Yoga Nidra as a guided meditation. The flexibility benefits of asana are undeniable but I believe relaxation benefits of various breath practices and mediations like Yoga Nidra are often overlooked.

This summer I had the opportunity to work with several groups of athletes on the ice and on inline skates and when we get to the off-skate conditioning portion of our sessions I am asked "Can we do the thing where we lay down?" Which I know is either shavasana for pranayama (breathing) practice, or Yoga Nidra for guided meditation. 

It doesn't matter if the athlete is college aged or still in elementary school for that matter, there is a appreciation for being supine. It is like athletes, and young people in general (and maybe older folks as well) need "permission" to rest and lie supine when it isn't time for bed. The energetic benefits (physical and mental) are well documented. You can search "Benefit of Yoga Nidra" if you don't have the time or inclination to read  the aforementioned study.

As a former competitive athlete who did not have the yoga tools to deal with the physical and mental rigors of sport I often wonder if I would still be the marathon runner I was 33 years ago and stayed uninjured or could I have made it further in my figure skating career if I had more mental clarity and fortitude? I will never know the answer but I can take what I know now about the benefits of various yoga practices and do my best to propagate the awareness of these techniques teaching as many athletes and young people as possible.

The more tools athletes have to manage their bodies and minds the healthier they will be and the more likely they will reach their athletic potential. And if nothing else, I know during our sessions together, and maybe for that time only, they are exposed to practices that facilitate awareness and the mind and body connection and it may be enough of a spark to ignite their love for yoga.