Being a professional athlete requires a lot of work both physically and mentally. In order to be the best you can, you would need to ensure that your body is in good shape and your mind is focused. Physical strength and power alone is not enough. The truth is that many athletes suffer in the mental aspect. This is the reason why many are unable to perform at their optimal level and stay in their respective sport on a long term.
http://atlantablackstar.com/2013/04/18/star-athletes-practice-yoga-to-strengthen-body-mind/
For Joe Johnson, a six-time NBA All-Star, he is able to stay rejuvenated and refreshed from his yoga sessions. Despite accumulating over tens of thousands of minutes in the NBA, the 31-year-old is still able to push further and he believes that yoga is the reason. “It’s pretty strenuous as far as a workout. It loosens me up, actually. If we have to be at the gym at 5:30, I’ll go about 3 p.m. and I get out at 4:30. I go straight to the arena. I’ll already be loose and ready to go. It’s very relaxing. I’ve never meditated before, or anything of that nature, but when I started doing bikram, it just kind of goes with [it]. I found myself meditating and really relaxing and clearing my thoughts,” he explained to The Huffington Post.
Currently, Kent Katich is the yoga instructor for the Los Angeles Clippers. He is also a founder of All Sport Yoga. Back in 2010, he was even dubbed as the “yoga guru of the NBA” by ESPN. He still recalls that not too long ago, athletes were not as open and convinced as Johnson is to the benefits of yoga. “Commercials and images of women in tights doing hyperflexible positions or Indian images of chanting initially kept athletes at bay. But in today’s society, young people are able to research and obtain tons of information extremely quick,” he said.
Now, many professional athletes view yoga as an avenue to improve flexibility, recovery time and prolong their careers. Yoga advocates also believe the practice provides a helpful alternative to relieve both the mind and body from the toll of an intense travel schedule and the physical demands of being a pro athlete. Steven Jackson, three-time Pro Bowl running back, is another athlete who believes in the benefits of yoga. In fact, he practices it once a week. To read more on the story, click here.
Looking for yoga classes in Singapore? Check out OMG Yoga! We offer you the option of private classes, where you get to choose your preferred venue, day and time for the class. Yoga is a highly recommended exercise for all, regardless of age, gender or fitness level.