Why Yoga is beneficial for athletes : Vaibhav Somani

Why Yoga is beneficial for athletes

Vaibhav Somani, Director, Gravolite

The practice of yoga holds its existence since the pre-Vedic period.. The ancient practice, which originated in India, involves a combination of physical poses, breathing techniques, and meditation. It has been proven to enhance flexibility, strength, balance, and focus, making it an ideal complement to any sport. Yoga has been gaining popularity among athletes worldwide due to its numerous benefits and it is widely practiced across all geographical regions.

Assistance in flexibility:

No matter what kind of sports you play, flexibility is a must and this is where yoga helps athletes to improve their flexibility, which is essential for preventing injuries. The different poses and stretches in yoga help to lengthen the muscles and increase the range of motion in the joints.

This increased flexibility can help athletes to perform their sport-specific movements more efficiently and with less strain on their bodies. In India, wrestlers to cricketers have incorporated yoga into their training routines, and they have seen significant improvements in their flexibility and overall performance.

Building strength and balance:

Yoga helps to improve strength and balance, which are crucial for athletes. Many of the yoga poses require a significant amount of strength to hold, and this strength translates into improved performance in sports. Additionally, the practice of balancing poses helps athletes to develop stability and control, which can enhance their ability to change direction and maintain balance during their sport. For instance wrestlers practice strength training to develop a strong core and yoga helps to achieve this immensely. By incorporating yoga into their training routines, wrestlers have seen significant improvements in their strength and balance.

Increased focus:

Yoga helps athletes to develop better focus and concentration. The practice of meditation and breathing techniques in yoga can help athletes to quiet their minds and improve their ability to concentrate on the task at hand. This improved focus can help athletes to perform better under pressure and to maintain their composure during intense competitions.

In India, many athletes, including boxers and martial artists, have incorporated yoga into their training routines, and they have seen significant improvements in their focus and concentration.

Injury recovery & role of yoga:

Injury is a part and parcel of any sporting activities and in many cases when athletes are injured the recovery has to be focused on both the physical and mental aspect. Yoga helps athletes to recover from injuries and prevent them from occurring in the first place. The practice of yoga helps to improve circulation, which can speed up the healing process of injuries.

Additionally, the practice of yoga can help athletes to identify and correct muscular imbalances, which can lead to injuries if left untreated. It is a common practice as all sporting facilitieshave incorporated yoga into their training routines, and they have seen significant improvements in their injury recovery times and prevention.

From building balance and flexibility to enhancing mental strength, the benefits of Yoga are innumerable, since it is not just the body that gets trained but the mind as well. Millions of athletes world over has embraced yoga and this mind-body practice has become an integral part of any athletes life today.