4 Reasons Why Every Athlete Should Try Out Yoga

The best thing an athlete can do is take a yoga class. Although the typical stereotype of an avid yogi is usually a 20 or 30-year-old female decked out in lululemon, males and females of all ages should take a class at some point. It has been known to provide health benefits both physically and mentally leaving you relaxed and refreshed. Here are some of the serious benefits that should motivate you to go sign up.

1. Flexibility. 

Although you may not be as flexible as the lady next to you who has been at it for 5 years now, each class will help loosen your muscles. This is critical for athletes as flexibility can not only prevent injuries, but also increase your range of motion and power.

2. Improved Strength. 

Routine practices will increase muscle strength in areas you may not target during your sport. It helps build lean muscle mass which will in turn enhance performance.

3. Balance. 

We may not notice it, but mental and physical balance play a major role in athletic performance. By learning to control your body during a yoga class, you will have better control of your body’s actions on the field or court.

4. Muscle Repair

The combination of stretching and relaxing increase the body flow within your body. Therefore, it serves as a form of active recovery repairing your body tissue and rejuvenating your body.

While you may not be a pro at yoga or the most flexible in the room, the benefits of this type of exercise are worth reaping. Athletes of all sports including soccer, volleyball, baseball, and even football have been encouraged and sometimes demanded by coaches to take a class on a day off. I will admit my first class was not comfortable and definitely not easy, but after time it started to pay off. Don't be afraid to give it a try.

The next time you have a Sunday off find a class and join the yoga movement. It will help you stay on the field and even improve your performance.

5 Basic Rules of Recovery

Whether you undergo extensive surgery or a simple pulled muscle, the recovery is critical and should not be taken lightly. As much as we want to fast forward to our clearance date, we must be patient and listen to our doctor. Jumping back into things too soon will only set you back further. Here are some basic recovery rules I’ve learned to help stay on the right track and get back to a healthy self.

1. Understand the situation.

Many times athletes will refuse to accept the reality of the situation. Once you understand what happened to your body, you can start to fix the problem. Recognize that you will be in pain and frustrated beyond belief, but do not let it overpower your emotions. Keep perspective on the situation and take it as a small bump in the road.

2. Follow the doctor’s instructions.

Even though some of the doctor’s requests may be tedious, he always knows best. If he says to ice every 20-30 minutes, do it whenever possible. If he says, no physical activity for 2 weeks, do not think about hopping on a treadmill until then. And finally, if he says rehab 3x a week, make sure to find the time. It will pay off in the end.  

3. Listen to your body.

When your doctor allows you to ease back into things, it is more important than ever to listen to your body. Swelling, aching, and bruising are your body’s way of saying to take a break. Grab an ice bag or get treatment from the trainer and try again tomorrow. In order to get better in your sport you must push yourself. However, pushing your body too hard in recovery asks for a re-injury.

4. Learn from the past.

Remember how much you hate sitting on the sidelines. After you are back on the field, continually strengthen your muscles and do post-fitness rehab. Stronger muscles help prevent future injuries. In addition, keep in mind that a healthy but sore body still needs ice after a workout. As much as you hate them, ice baths should be your best friend after a hard day at practice. 

5. Stay positive.

No one wants to be taken out of the game. It is plain and simple. However, injuries will happen. They are part of the package deal when you sign up for a sport. Focus on what you can do which is cheering on your team and making time for rehab. Complaining about the present won’t change the past.

It is always easier said than done. However, following these 5 rules of recovery will help get you back on the field and hopefully avoid future injuries. 

Concussion: A Sport's Horror Film

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) sounds like a bunch of medical jargon foreign to many of us. Perhaps that’s why the recent Will Smith movie was named Concussion instead. Concussions have been the talk of the sports industry partially due to the release of this movie as it exposes the horrors concerning CTE in former NFL players.

Last Christmas, Smith expertly embodied the character of Bennet Omalu, a Nigerian-born forensic pathologist as he discovers a degenerative brain disease. More specifically, a brain disease connected to concussions in NFL players. His character fights against the powerful NFL corporation to voice his concerns and instigate change. Smith perfectly portrays a humble man standing up for his beliefs in order to protect future players.

The movie opened eyes all over the world, but the message may be slightly misleading. While the movie was labeled a drama, parents, players, and coaches walked out of the theater horrified and frightened of concussions. The movie failed to accurately make the distinction between concussions and CTE. While they may be related, the two should not be viewed as one in the same. Not all concussions lead to CTE. In fact, many other factors may come into play. 

Regardless, the truth of the matter is that we do not have all the answers. We do not know all of the whys, hows, and what ifs about concussions. So, while the film may have been too negative on the NFL and football in general, it scared people into thinking. It made them think about the risks, prevention, and precautions, and in that sense the movie succeeded.