Top 5 Yoga Poses for Athletes

There are numerous benefits of yoga for athletes; both physically speaking as well as spiritually. The physical benefits of yoga include enhanced muscle strength, better balance and a heightened range of motion on the playing field. Spiritually speaking, a simple yoga workout can go a long way in providing you with some peace of mind in the midst of this hectic life. A mild yoga workout that can be practiced on an everyday basis includes the following easy to follow top 5 yoga poses for athletes:

Yoga Pose for Athletes # 1

Triangle Pose

The triangle pose is the first from our top 5 yoga poses for athletes! Ever feel that tightness in your hips that causes them to hurt every time you sit or stand up? Well this pose is an antidote to that and it helps to strengthen your knees and ankles and relieve stress along with that. The idea is to stand with your feet further apart than your hip width. Your right foot should be pointed ninety degrees outwards with the knee and ankle aligned and your left foot should be pivoted inward at a forty five degree ankle. Lift your arms to shoulder length so that they are parallel to the floor. Now while inhaling and exhaling in a smooth rhythm, reach out in the same direction as your right foot with your right hand while shifting your left hip back and folding at your right hip. When your right hand reaches your right shin or ankle, turn the other one upwards toward the ceiling. Release this position by lowering your arms and bringing your feet back in their natural position. Holding this pose on both sides for 5 slow breaths derives its optimum benefit.

Yoga Pose for Athletes # 2

 The Downward Dog

Stretched hamstrings are one of the most common complaints in athletes. The downward dog helps relieve this problem along with strengthening your shoulders and curing fatigue and headaches.  The technique is to come onto your hands and knees such that your hands are right below your shoulders and knees right below your hips. Then, while pressing your hands firmly down on the mat, raise your hips towards the ceiling keeping your knees either slightly bent or stretched. Your head should not be hanging but between your arms at a stable position. Hold this pose for 5 deep breaths and then release slowly by lowering your hips.

Yoga Pose for Athletes # 3

 Cat Cow Pose

There’s nothing that releases the strain in those painful back muscles and relaxes your spine like the cat cow pose. This pose is carried out by first coming onto your hands and knees with your hand directly beneath your shoulders and your knees under your hips. Take a deep breath to stretch your spine to its optimum length. Now the idea is that without bending your knees or elbows you first arch you’re back stretching your neck and head towards the ceiling letting your tummy hang down and then round you’re back turning your face to the floor. This pattern should be repeated ten times with deep breaths in the middle.

Yoga Pose for Athletes # 4

 Chair Pose

For all those flat footed athletes with weak ankles, the chair pose is the solution to your problems. The procedure involves standing with your feet as far apart as your shoulder width. Raise your arms outwards from your shoulders keeping the shoulders down and pushed back. Now at the same time slowly lower your hips and bend your knees until you look like you are sitting on a chair. Hold this position for five deep breaths and then release.

Yoga Pose for Athletes # 5

 Eagle Pose

Lastly, the pose that stretches your tight shoulders, strengthens your calves and relieves a lot of mental tension, is the eagle pose. You start with hugging your left knee to your chest while bending the right one. Now, cross your left leg over your right, hooking the left foot over your right leg. At the same time, your left arm should be wrapped under your right. Try to come into as much of a sitting position as you can pointing your arms upwards to balance. Take 5 slow breaths in this position then release slowly and do the same thing with opposite limbs.