Why Yoga is a good idea for Athletes (by Paul Taylor)

I have been training in various Crossfit gyms around the country for the best part of 3 years now. I was attending classes 5 times a week for the first year.  The sheer volume of the training mixed with my lacklustre approach to warming-up before working out and my failure to follow a cool-down and post-stretch routine eventually took its toll on my body.
 
My mobility started to diminish in my lower body and shoulders.  As well as that I began to experience a lot of stiffness and pain in my lower back muscles especially when performing kettlebell swings and doing heavy lifts in exercises such as deadlifts, squats, olympic lifts etc.   At this point my strength gains completely plateaud and I could only train every second day due to aches, pains and general stiffness. The standard and quality of my training was beginning to decline so I decided to try Yoga in an attempt to fix the issues that had been holding me back from developing my strength and fitness. I felt confident that attending Yoga classes on a relatively regular basis would remedy my physical ailments over time. 
 
The turnaround was quite dramatic.  Within a month the tightness in my lower back had significantly decreased to the point where it was barely noticeable; my shoulder mobility had improved and the flexibility in my adductors, hamstrings and glutes had greatly increased.  From that point on, my performance in Crossfit became much better.  I never felt any tightness or strains when training and this allowed me to perform to my true potential.  The development of my mobility and flexibility allowed me to improve my technique and therefore lift more weights when Weight lifting or Olympic lifting.  I was now setting all kinds of personal records and exercises like power cleans, back squats, clean & jerk, front squats, power snatches and deadlifts were getting heavier on a weekly basis. 
 
I am continuosly making progress in Crossfit now and thanks to the combined crosstraining effect of Yoga and Crossfit I am able to comfortably train in both disciplines 5 times a week each with no pain or discomfort.  I would strongly recommend to anybody who plays sport or undertakes a lot of intense physical activity to incorporate Yoga into their regime as it has a great therapeutic effect on the body and will help you perform to the best of your ability on a regular basis.
 
Paul Taylor
 
BA Honours Degree - Exercise & Health Science
 
ITEC Diplomas - Personal Training
                             Gym Instruction
                             Fitness Studio Teaching
                             Sports Therapy
                             Nutrition & Diet for Complementary Therapists

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