“Yoga is not about touching your toes, it is about what you learn on the way down,” explains Yoga 4 Athletes founder and instructor, Britt Burkett. Yoga, a form of exercise originated in Eastern cultures more than 5,000 years ago, has turned into a global phenomenon and is currently practiced by millions of people worldwide. Traditionally, yoga is recognized as a spiritual practice in which individuals seek to connect the mind, body, and spirit through a combination of poses, breathing techniques, and meditation.Yoga quickly gained popularity throughout western cultures in the 20th century and many people now practice this ancient form of exercise to improve physical, mental, and emotional strength. The benefits experienced through yoga have now motivated many professional teams and athletes to integrate sport specific yogic techniques with traditional strength and conditioning to promote prevention, improve recovery, and enhance athletic ability. As performance training and sports medicine evolve to meet the needs of athletes, yoga is now being considered an essential component of sports training that will preserve the body and mind through the rigor and demand of sport.
As the demands placed on the body through sport increases, yoga aims to reduce the chance of injury and promote longevity. Through the regular practice of yoga, athletes can experience numerous physical and mental benefits. Improvements in strength, range of motion, flexibility, balance and stamina are just a few of the physical benefits derived through yoga. “Athletes who compete at an elite level, often have overdeveloped areas of the body, and tend to neglect the underdeveloped areas,” Burkett discusses. Burkett, who is partnered with STARS Sports Training and Rehabilitation Services in Anaheim, California created this program when she noticed the need for yoga tailored to athletic performance, prevention and overall better habits. Most athletes over look the importance of stretching; therefore yoga provides a fun, yet challenging way to incorporate stretching and improve flexibility while simultaneously enhancing performance. Yoga 4 Athletes incorporates challenging techniques and movements that strengthen mental focus, body awareness, and improve proprioception. Burkett encourages her students to remain consciously aware of their mental state when practicing Yoga and focus on connecting their breathe with the movements. These conscious efforts translate well into competition and undeniably give athletes a competitive advantage.
The perception that yoga is practiced by petite, granola-loving females has shifted throughout the last decade as the practice has popularized in the West. Many professional athletes have publicly stated their love for yoga and have even gone as far as attributing certain improvements to the practice. LeBron James credits his endurance to yoga, and incorporates the practice to maximize his talent, maintain physical health, and avoid injuries. Seattle Seahawks coach, Pete Carroll, encourages his players to meditate daily and incorporates yoga into their training regimens. These healthy habits improve mental clarity and mindfulness, and develop an athlete’s ability to remain relaxed throughout intense competition. Is it a coincidence that the 4-time MVP of the NBA and the 2013 Super Bowl champions all practice yoga? I think not!
The practice of yoga undoubtedly creates a competitive advantage for athletes and I will even go as far as saying that incorporating yoga may increase the chances of winning a championship. Titles don’t lie! Regardless of sport, every athlete faces mental and physical challenges. Incorporating yoga that is relevant to sport can give athletes a competitive edge and allow them to reach their highest potential. As professional teams, elite athletes, and performance training facilities continue to prioritize preventative practices, sport specific yoga is guaranteed to prevail as an essential element of sports training. Athletes are changing the perception of yoga and as Burkett best describes her Yoga 4 Athletes program, “It is not your moms yoga!”
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