How yoga helps in other sports
Deb Acord, Special to the Rocky
Published February 12, 2008 at 12:45 a.m.
TAKE FIVE
Sage Rountree, author of The Athlete's Guide to Yoga: An Integrated Approach to Strength, Flexibility & Focus, gives us five sports and the ways yoga can help in each one:
* Mountain biking: Improves core strength, balance and focus; stretches strong, tight hip flexors. Try arm balances and back bends.
* Kayaking: Maintains balance side to side, stretches tight shoulder muscles and hip flexors. Try arm positions from eagle and cow-face poses, as well as passive back bends like supported fish pose.
* Skiing: Functionally strengthens knees and improves flexibility. Try chair pose, lunging and sun salutations.
* Hiking: Improves balance and strengthens core; increases flexibility in the legs. Try standing balance poses and core work, as well as seated forward folds to stretch the legs. Passive back bending is great after carrying a pack.
* Trail running: Strengthens lower legs and core. Try standing balance poses, core work and hip stretches like pigeon and cow-face poses to keep the hips limber. Breath exercises teach presence and sharpen awareness.
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