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Yoga’s benefits make it a popular exercise and relaxation method
Wikimedia Commons
Although it is mainly known for its therapeutic and meditative benefits, yoga can help loosen the body, increase flexibility and strengthen various muscles.
The ancient Indian practice of yoga has become more popular more popular with athletes in recent years.
Although it is mainly known for its therapeutic and meditative benefits, yoga can help loosen the body, increase flexibility and strengthen various muscles. For athletes, the forward-bending posture in combination with warrior pose, a deep-seated lunge, can help loosen the hamstrings and calf muscles. Side-bending postures can also help open up the lateral sides of the body, which do not get much stretching on a daily basis.
Different styles of yoga can also have contrasting effects. Bikram Yoga, which emphasizes performing yoga postures in a heated room, can help with weight loss and muscle loosening. Another type of yoga, the Iyengar style, focuses on flexibility and physical extension of the body.
Ashwini Surpur, who is a certified yoga teacher in the Bay Area and directs yoga therapy at the local yoga non-profit Yoga Bharati, believes that yoga practice can help athletes improve in their respective sports.
“Yoga helps [athletes] be flexible, hence reducing the chances of sports injuries and wear and tear related problems with overuse of joints,” Surpur said. “Yoga involve[s] breathing and mindfulness that gives them a way to relax better, faster and to keep themselves free from the stress and anxiety of sports competition[s]. Mindfulness also helps them to focus better and play with [a] relaxed mind which is the key to success in any activity including sports.”
Surpur recommends the practice of Sun Salutations, a dynamic series of 10 or 12 flowing postures, to improve flexibility. She also believes poses such as triangle pose, rotated triangle pose and warrior pose, when done in a rapid fashion, can help loosen the body.
Many students agree with Surpur and believe that yoga can have a beneficial physical effect.
“I think yoga can definitely help strengthen your body and prevent injury,” Katy Sanchez (12) said.
Currently, there are yoga classes being offered after school each semester.
Vedant Thyagaraj is the Science & Technology Editor for Harker Aquila. He is currently a senior and has been on staff for the past three years. Vedant...