Your Recovery & Rest Day Yoga Class for Athletes

Recent questions

• How can athletes relax and stretch after intense activity?

  Athletes can relax and stretch after intense activity by engaging in a full-body stretching session that focuses on connecting to the breath and finding stillness within. This practice helps athletes relax and ground themselves, recommended for rest days to keep the body moving without exerting too much effort. All that is needed for this practice is a mat or a carpet to begin with poses like Sphinx Pose, Child's Pose, Tabletop position, and Downward Facing Dog. The session includes a series of stretches targeting different body parts like hips, legs, and shoulders, concluding with a sequence of movements resembling a butterfly motion with the arms. Athletes can finish with a seated meditation or lying down in Shavasana for relaxation, allowing for two minutes of rest.

• What is the starting pose for the full-body stretching session?

  The starting pose for the full-body stretching session is Sphinx Pose, which engages the glutes and shoulders while focusing on breathing through the nose. This pose helps athletes begin the session by connecting to their breath and finding stillness within to relax and ground themselves. From Sphinx Pose, athletes can transition to other poses like Child's Pose, Tabletop position, and Downward Facing Dog, moving through a series of stretches targeting different body parts to stretch and relax after intense activity.

• What is the recommended duration for the seated meditation or Shavasana?

  The recommended duration for the seated meditation or Shavasana is to allow for two minutes of rest. During this time, athletes can maintain a sealed lip position, focus on breath observation, lengthen the spine, and feel a continuous line of energy from the base of the spine through the throat and up towards the ceiling. Whether in a seated or lying position like Shavasana, athletes should relax, let the body sink into the ground, and feel grounded while breathing through the nose. It is suggested to remain in this state for a while even after the video ends to fully relax and rejuvenate.

• What equipment is required for the full-body stretching session?

  All that is needed for the full-body stretching session is a mat or a carpet. Athletes can use a mat or carpet to create a comfortable and supportive surface for the stretching session. This equipment provides a stable foundation for poses like Sphinx Pose, Child's Pose, Tabletop position, and Downward Facing Dog, allowing athletes to focus on connecting to their breath and finding stillness within to relax and ground themselves after intense activity.

• How should athletes breathe during the stretching session?

  Athletes should focus on breathing through the nose during the stretching session. By breathing through the nose, athletes can connect to their breath, find stillness within, and relax and ground themselves throughout the practice. Whether in poses like Sphinx Pose, Child's Pose, Tabletop position, or Downward Facing Dog, breathing through the nose helps athletes maintain a sense of calm and focus while stretching different body parts and releasing tension after intense activity.