Yoga for Athletes

I've seen a lot of classes called "Yoga for Athletes" on the schedule at different studios, and I came across an article today about why every athlete should do yoga. And there are tons of pro athletes practicing yoga these days; it was reported last fall that the New York Giants brought in a yoga instructor for the athletes to practice with after team meetings. The team's tight end, Kevin Boss, gives yoga much of the credit for his success.

While I definitely considered taking up yoga while I was focusing on other sports/workouts (running, cycling), it wasn't until I made yoga my main focus that I really connected with it. Still, I've heard amazing things from athletes (even amateurs and hobbyists) who have added yoga to their routines. From marathoners to equestrians, there are so many different types of athletes who love what yoga has done for their bodies.

I'm curious whether most people come to yoga now as they seek to improve their performance in another sport, or if they seek it out for entirely different reasons (mind/body connection, stress relief, etc). While I'm in the latter category, I 'm willing to bet a lot of people in our community are athletes outside of the yoga studio.

Are you an athlete who was attracted to yoga? Share your story in the comments!

- Rachel

Why Every Athlete Should Do Yoga [MindBodyGreen]

Yoga not just for girls: NFL players benefit from yoga [Yahoo! sports]