Yoga Relaxation for Sports Women
Yoga is the unity of mind and body, the union of the inner and outer worlds. Yoga is a holistic system that teaches skills many athletes seek, such as control over the mind, control over the body, good breathing habits, being able to relax under pressure, highly developed concentration skills; and the ability to focus on the present.
Purpose of Yoga
The purpose of yoga is to combine the forces of the mind and the body so that they are not at odds with one another. An individual cannot acquire control over the body without also acquiring control over the mind. Yoga is known to enhance whole-brain function. The more aware the athlete is of body and mind, the greater is her opportunity to prevent or control injuries. The body and mind can only cope with a certain amount of stress before breakdown occurs, producing illness and injury.
Aims of Yoga
Yoga aims at physical toning and awareness, controlled breathing, and controlled concentration. They function together to produce a greater control over the mind and body in competition. Yoga uses awareness, relaxation, visualization, and willpower techniques, all of which have been found to be effective in remolding the mind and body.
Forms of Yoga
The most pertinent form of yoga to athletes is ‘hatha’ yoga, characterized by holding passive physical positions, relaxing the mind and body, and focusing attention. Yoga postures, known as ‘asana’, are similar to passive stretching before or after competition or training. Asanas help develop flexibility and an awareness of the body to maintain good tone and tension of specific muscles. Asana is a relaxation technique that athletes find accessible. It can be easily incorporated into an athlete’s competition or training schedule. The other forms of yoga are the breathing techniques, also called the pranayama, and meditation. Through these self-help methods to maintain an aligned position and a more relaxed nervous system, athletes can learn to improve their concentration and refocus techniques for peak performance enhancement.
The practice of pranayama is a remarkable tool for an athlete. Breath control is essential for endurance, focus, and awareness. In a challenging sport, one may experience fear. The first response to fear is to limit one’s breathing. In these moments, one needs to deepen and slow down their breath, inhaling and exhaling thorough the nose. When the concentration is on the breath, there is no room for other thoughts; there is only the experience of the moment. Breathing exercises energize the body, oxygenate the blood and focus the mind.
Relaxation is sometimes overlooked when engaging in active sports. Savasana, that is the corpse pose, teaches one how to completely relax the body and release tension. This actually helps in creating muscle memory. When climbing, running, swimming, or participating in sports, one can access this memory and completely relax the body using breath and awareness. By practicing Savasana throughout the activity, the body integrates the benefits of the sport and decreases fatigue and lactic acid build up.
Sources: Chiroweb