Hi beauties, I’m here to talk about yoga…again. Although yoga classes are usually filled with soccer moms and super flexible dancers, any one can benefit from taking a yoga class. Especially athletes. Nearly all sports contain a form of running or sprinting which is the reasoning behind this post: whether you are an avid runner (I personally loathe running), basketball player, or futbólista, these poses will help you out! Being an athlete, yoga is key for elongating muscles and forcing one to be cognizant of their body.
1. Downward Dog (Adho Mukha Svanāsana)
Target zones: Shoulders, tight hamstrings.
Why it’s good: Stretches the shoulders, legs and strengthens the arms and legs.
How to do it: Come into an upper push up plank. On an exhale, lift the hips up and draw your heels down to the floor. Since this will be intense if one has never tried it before, keeps your knees bent to protect your muscles and knee caps.
2. Triangle Pose (Trikonāsana)
Target zones: Hamstrings, hips, spine, shoulders
Why it’s good: Triangle pose stretches the hips, groin and chest. It strengthens ankles and knees. Because it’s a twist, it improves digestion.
How to do it: Stand with your feet about four feet apart. Starting with the right side, turn the right foot sideways in a 90-degree angle. Cut the left hip back and reach for your thigh, calve, toes, or floor with the right hand and stretch the left up.
3. Eagle Pose (Garudāsana)
Target zones: Shoulders
Why it’s good: Stretches tight shoulders, the back, and strengthens ankles and calves.
How to do it: Stand with your feet hips width distance apart. On an inhale, distribute all your weight onto your right leg and wrap the left leg around it. Then, cross the left arm over the right.
4. Seated Forward Fold (Paschimottanāsana)
Target zones: Hamstrings and tight hips
Why it’s good: Stretches the hamstrings, groin, and lower back.
How to do it: Sit up tall with your legs stretched out in front of you. Raise your arms on an inhale and on an exhale, fold forward toward your toes.
5. Reclined Goddess/Cobbler Pose (Supta Baddha Konāsana)
Target zones: Hips and groin.
Why it’s good: Deeply stretches the hip flexors, groin, and the pelvic floor.
How to do it: Lay down on your back and bring the soles of your feet together to touch.
6. Crescent lunge (Anjaneyāsana)
Target zones: Hips, shoulders, and thighs.
Why it’s good: Stretches the quads, upper back, hip flexors, and shoulders.
How to do it: Come into a runner’s lunge. Drop the back knee on the floor and place your hands either on the front knee or take them over head. On your inhales, breathe into the places that are tight and gain space; on the exhales, sink deeper into your hips.