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| Professional sports teams and Olympic-bound athletes have found that a regular yoga practice increases flexibility, reduces stress, improves concentration and gives an overall feeling of wellness, according to Stacy McCarthy, who has been an IDEA member since 1991 and teaches yoga throughout San Diego. |
McCarthy, who brings 20 years of sports and fitness and 13 years of yoga experience to her students, offers these tips for using yoga with athletes.
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| 1. Teach the Breath First. |
Take the time to teach proper breathing. During the inhale have clients work on alignment or form of the posture. Have them elongate and emphasize the exhale so they can move deeper into the stretch. Teach how to synchronize breath to movement in postures.
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| 2. Guide Them to Change Their Mental State During Yoga. |
Many athletes deal with judgment, competitiveness and criticism on a regular basis. This can facilitate and contribute to stress. Teach them that their yoga practice is deeply personal and should be self enhancing. It’s their time to let go of being a goal-oriented competitor and just be present in the process of where they are today.
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| 3. Teach Athletes the Balance Between Strength and Surrender. |
Show clients how to contract an opposing muscle, pulling it closer to the bone to help stretch. For example, contract and lift the kneecap and quadriceps toward the top of the thigh and inward toward the femur to open the hamstrings.
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| 4. Show Compassion. |
Flexibility comes to people in varying rates. Some athletes experience a steep learning curve in increasing flexibility. A focused practice of utilizing the breath while stretching muscles may be brand new. These athletes need to be reassured that it takes time and consistent effort to get results.
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| For more information, check out McCarthy’s session at the IDEA Personal Trainer®-NYC conference in New York City, October 6-9. See www.ideafit.com/ptrainer or call 800.999.4332, ext. 7 for more information. |
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