Yoga is an Indian Philosophy that focuses on achieving awareness of the mind and body through dedicated and discipline practice. The practice involves asanas (sequences of postures), meditation (chanting or a mantra), and pranayama (exercises and breathing modification).
These characteristics make yoga a creative way to improve balance and range of motion through resistance and strength training. In fact, it can help athletes breathe better during practice and improve core strength.
Nowadays, trainers are incorporating yoga into their workout routines for athletes. They highly recommend athletes look for affordable fitness classes in NYC to reap the benefits of yoga. Yoga is quite valuable for injury prevention in extreme sports, such as baseball, basketball, and sprinting.
The Impact of Yoga on Athletic Performance
Like martial arts, yoga is a part of a deep and ancient tradition. During their quest for self-knowledge, yogis realized that the physical state influences mental capacity and mood. They discovered that practicing certain physical postures allowed them to reach a peaceful state where they had greater focus. After returning to a natural state, they found out that they had improved physical capacity, which all athletes crave today.
Benefits of Yoga
Gives You Better Balance and Proprioception
Yoga helps built body awareness, including proprioception, stability, and balance. As a result, you experience a boost in your performance, which allows you to train more efficiently. The range of motion you get from yoga is thanks to the static, gentle posture you maintain for long periods. Yoga safely lengthens your tendons, muscles, and spine.
As for flexibility, the more relaxed your muscles are, the less sore you will feel, and this will help increase agility. According to a study published in the International Journal of Yoga, yoga can improve flexibility and balance in athletes who do it twice a week. The study observed that certain yoga poses, such as those involving the knees and shoulders, are more beneficial.
Increases Power
Speed, power, and strength are all directly related. They tell us about our body mechanics and whether our body is aligned properly and can perform better by transmitting force efficiently. This is where yoga comes in. It adds fluidity to your movement for optimal performance.
Yoga helps reduce power leakages, improves running efficiency and gait, and allows you to throw, jump and punch more explosively.
According to a study published in the International Journal of Yoga, consistently practicing yoga for two months can help athletes, such as soccer players, with muscle soreness and fatigue and ensure injury prevention. Hence, training experts recommend joining a yoga class in NYC.
Improves Mental Focus
One of the biggest benefits of yoga is that it improves mental focus, which is extremely important for physical training. If you are not a fan of meditation, you can try yoga to learn the art of focus. For example, yoga poses are only effective if your breathing matches the movement. For swimmers, cyclists, and runners who follow a rhythm to succeed, this can be quite beneficial.
Yoga develops mindfulness through your breath and body, allowing you to stay in the present, which helps avoid distractions. It enhances your concentration throughout the activity.
According to a study published in the journal of Sports Medicine, practicing mindfulness can help athletes stay focused on the task. The participants performed various activities, and their short mindfulness session positively affected dart throwing and shooting.
Increases Core Strength
Certain yoga poses help build your core strength. Their focused and slow movements can only be performed if you have a strong midsection. The isometric contractions add a touch of resistance training and turn your typical workout routine into a high-intensity one.
According to a study published in the International Journal of Sport and Health Sciences, the five simple poses of yoga: Vasisthasana (Side Plank), Ardha Phalakasana (Low Plank), Purvottanasana (Inclined Plane), Virabhadrasana (Warrior), and Sarvangasana (Shoulder Stand) are the most effective in strengthening core muscles. The study recommends that fitness and sports trainers include these poses in their programs.
We are all familiar with yoga thanks to magazine spreads and TV ads. It’s become a part of our culture, yet some people call it “stretching.” Yoga is much more than that! The evidence stares you right in the face if you look at ultramarathon runners and NFL stars. Every athlete will tell you that yoga is a valuable addition to their workout routine and training.
In conclusion, yoga can improve your endurance, performance, and speed and promote overall wellness and health when practiced properly.
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