Note to Athletes

As many of you may already know, professional athletes are at the head of the learning curve when it comes to addressing the needs of their bodies. In particular, they now understand that yoga is the perfect counterpart to uni-dimensional sports, such as cycling, tennis playing and running, and to the grueling physical demands of football and triathlons.

For cyclists, road cyclists in particular, the position on the bike repeatedly stretches and strains some muscles while under utilizing others. And if a cyclist's body is out of alignment in the saddle, ligaments and tendons wear down, and muscle groups develop disproportionately. For example, the quadriceps of cyclists are often over-developed, while the hamstrings shrink, tighten, and weaken. If the hips are not open, able to stay in one plane, and are not receiving enough synovial fluid to keep them 'juiced,' then the thighs, knees and ankles follow suit, creating an imbalance along one entire side of the body.

Additionally, a cyclist is continually in a state of spinal flexion, due to the position over the handlebars of the bike. Balancing poses, backbends and poses that address the hip flexors are necessary to achieve optimal position on the bike, as well as to promote optimal spinal health and to prevent injury.

Similar issues face runners, skiers, and tennis players, in terms of the constant stress to the joints, particularly the sacroiliac, the knees, the ankles and the hips.

For the triathlete, the situation is very similar to that of a long-distance runner, with the addition of extreme endurance and thus need for proper breathing techniques, and mental calm and focus. The practice of yoga, including meditation, asana (postures) and pranayama (breath extension and control exercises) is crucial for the those involved in triathlon training and competition. According to Heidi Genoist, yoga improves a triathlete's competitive edge, by increasing 'balance, strength and flexibility' as well as 'speed and endurance' (see full article at Run the Planet).

We highly recommend a balanced practice comprised of 2 classes each week: Power or Ashtanga and Yin/Yang. Yin and Yang Yoga will stretch the muscles and ligaments, allow the student to begin learning proper breathing and also addresses joint health and flexibility, reducing the risk of injury and promoting the calm, inner-directed focus required of triathletes. Practicing Power Yoga and Ashtanga Yoga, as a complement to the deep stretching and core toning of Yin/Yang, will enhance athletic endurance and strength, and increasing flexibility, while incorporating mental focus and proper breathing techniques—and particularly addressing hips, quadriceps, spinal alignment and balance.

For more athlete testimonials to the power of yoga, you might be interested in what seasoned 'Ironman' competitor Anthony Carillo has to say.

Professional athletes practicing/or who did practice yoga:

  • The Los Angeles Lakers (as a team)
  • Grant Hill
  • Kevin Garnett
  • Shaquille O'Neal
  • Kareem Abdul-Jabar
  • Pat Riley
  • Tom Brady
  • Shannon Sharpe
  • Tony Banks
  • Brandon Mitchell
  • Michael Strahan
  • Dan Marino
  • Toronto Blue Jays
  • Manny Ramirez
  • Rocco Baldelli
  • Jon Switzer
  • Shawn Camp
  • Tim Thomas
  • Cleon Daskalakis
  • Barry Bonds
  • Carlos Delgado
  • Pete Sampras
  • Andy Roddick
  • Venus and Serena Williams
  • Annika Sorrenstam
  • Jesper Parnevik
  • Gary McCord
  • Gary Player
  • Carl Lewis
  • Thomas Grandi
  • Jen-Pierre Vidal
  • Evander Holyfield