Games We Play

NEVER QUIT PLAYING
BY SHEILA PALMQUIST
Lincoln Yoga Center
We love our sport, that is why we train and strain. The goal is to obtain top physical and mental performance resulting in a win over our competitor. Sometimes this can end with devastating results, injury. Some injures just keep us out for the rest of the game, some for the rest of our lives. This is where YOGA comes in…yes, YOGA. The physical and mental benefits of yoga can keep you in the game for a lifetime. Some yoga practitioners started as young as 12 and are practicing into their 90’s. Not many top athletes can say this. Yes, but yoga is not a sport you say. Maybe, maybe not, but it can help bring balance to your training regardless of what sport you play.
For example running, cycling, football, and soccer: All can benefit from the increased lung capacity and mental focus yoga teaches us. Physically, runners tend to have tight hamstrings, hip, knee, and foot pain; cyclist often experience tight quadriceps, and back pain due to the constant flexion of the spine while riding. By learning to find your alignment and balancing the overdeveloped muscles with the underdeveloped groups you will increase endurance and decrease injures keeping you in the game for many years.
Now let’s take golf, tennis, volleyball, softball and swimming: These sports require a strong stable base and a lot of upper body flexibility resulting in power. The shoulder(s) are generally overused and abused with these sports. Think about the golfer’s twist that starts at the ankle traveling all the way up to the head when you tee off. Do you balance that twist and use the other side on the next hole? I didn’t think so. How many tennis players say…I better use my left hand today because my right forearm is larger? Many sports place crushing impact on the joints, over and over. Strength is important but even rock will crack or crumble from repeat impact.
Why do I need to sit and breathe in a yoga class? Because many athletes are so physical this seems like a waste of time. Think about a swimmer or a basketball referee with the whistle in their mouth not making a sound as they run the court. If you can control the breath you can control the mind and body, giving you winning results. Improper breathing wastes energy that could be used to improve your performance. Yoga teaches us to maintain an engaged and relaxed state. Like being in the “zone”, an amazing physical performance, with an out of body experience. I believe playing from the heart with pride and integrity is what sets our Nebraska athletes apart.
There are many types yoga practices you may try a few before you find one that fits your needs. Customize a practice to balance your body it is unlike any other. Leave the competing and judging outside the yoga studio, this includes competing and judging yourself. Do not skip relaxation! This is the hardest part of a yoga practice for some people. Stay…observe…listen…find out why this is so difficult. True athletes don’t quit when it gets tough. Add years to your game and your life, play with awareness.