Yoga And Sports: Tennis
Tennis requires cat-like reflexes with short bursts of strength. These short movements do not allow the muscles to extend their full length. When muscles are strenuously worked they become tight and can lose their elasticity unless properly stretched. Yoga exercises can increase the body's range of motion. The lack of movement because of inflexibility binds the joints. Without the elasticity of the muscles, I think an athlete can be a prisoner within his own body.
Using yoga techniques makes it possible to retrain the muscles. Most tennis athletes play in a constant state of muscle tension. Yoga trains the body to relax muscle tension. Learning to begin your game in a relaxed state could mean gaining an extra step on the ball.
When in a ready position muscles are contracted and ready for action. To move, muscles must be relaxed and then contracted again to spring in any direction. By retraining the muscles you begin from a relaxed position, giving a quickened reaction time.
Yoga breathing exercises can help improve endurance and stamina. When exerting in sports or exercise we often hold the breath as a way to create strength. Yoga trains the body to create strength through breathing control. Holding the breath at points of exertion takes a great deal of energy that could be used during long sets or matches.
Learning the correct way while doing a yoga pose is simple. Exhale during the execution of a pose until you feel the muscles' full length of stretch (maximum resistance). Never hold your breath. Breathe normally and listen to the body. Hold for 30 seconds, then release the pose slowly. By constant practice of yoga poses you'll soon apply breathing techniques in everyday routines.
A simple spine twist is excellent for rotational sports. It can help increase needed flexibility of the shoulders and back and hips. Remember to apply the breathing technique to this pose.
Begin the spine twist by sitting on the floor with both legs straight out in front of you. Keeping the spine straight, bend the left leg placing the left foot on the outside of the right knee. Now, place the left hand on the floor behind you with your arm straight and the right elbow bent. Positioned on the outside of the left thigh place the right hand on the left hip.
Slowly exhale while turning the head and upper body to the left, looking over the left shoulder. Pressure from the right arm should keep the left leg stationary while pressure from the left arm and torso gives you the twist. Stronger use of both arms increases the twist. Hold this pose for 30 seconds and repeat twist on the opposite side.
A total body conditioning and flexibility routine is essential for the avid tennis player. Yoga techniques could be the edge you need in developing your game.
Other Articles:
An All-around Yoga Exercise: 12-step Salute To The Sun
Applications In Cancer Treatment
Astanga Vinyasa Yoga
Basic Sitting Postures With Benefits
Basic Yoga Postures And Their Variations
Beginners’ Yoga Video Offers Good Instruction
Breathing And Relaxing
The Seven Chakras
Cure For Asthma
Cure For Modern Day Stresses
Cure Through Yoga
Diabetes
Dynamic Yoga – Exercise 1 & 2
Dynamic Yoga – Exercise 3 & 4
Equipment
Exercises
For Some People, Learning Yoga On Cd-rom Is A Stretch
Go Straight To Video For Yoga Training
Got A Few Minutes
Hatha Yoga
High Blood Pressure (hypertension)
History Of Yoga
How To Start
Infertility
Insomnia
Instant 10-minute Yoga: New Form Of Yoga
Kundalini Yoga
Origins Of Yoga
Parkinson’s Disease
Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras
Perfect Truths About Yoga
Posturing: Introduction
Prevention Of Heart Attacks
Rewards Of Yoga - E-commerce Style
Some Of The Lesser Known Yoga Videos
Ten Minute Yoga Plan To Pep Up
What Is Yoga
Work – Life Balance And Yoga
Yoga And Sports: Skiing
Yoga And Sports: Tennis
Yoga For Business People: Do Not Get Distracted From Your Goal
Yoga For Business People: Enhance Your Business Acumen
Yoga For Business People: Lifetime Habit
Yoga For Business People: Mind-body Connection
Yoga For Business People: Workplace Implications
Yoga For Computer Users: Other Postures
Yoga For Computer Users: Releases Lower Back Pain
Yoga For Computer Users: Supported Side Stretches
Yoga For Computer Users: The Side-angled Stretch
Yoga For Computer Users: The Triangle
Yoga For Modern City Life: Ancient Practice Fits Modern Life
Yoga For Modern City Life: Hatha Yoga – Most Popular In The Us
Yoga For Modern City Life: Most Urbanites Start With A Class
Yoga For Modern City Life: Yoga Helps Ease Modern Stress
Yoga For Modern City Life: Yoga Is Now A Lifestyle
Yoga For Women: Before You Start
Yoga For Women: Exercises
Yoga For Women: Hold That Pose
Yoga For Women: How To Gain A Shapely Waist Through Yoga
Yoga For Women: Basic Yoga Lessons For Women
Yoga On The Net
Yoga Videos Arent All Equal At Getting Out The Kinks