International Yoga Day: Maintaining a Balanced Lifestyle as an Athlete

At IMG Academy, the student-athletes participate in a regular yoga program during their sport season to help them maintain a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Each team typically practices yoga once per week during their season. The purpose of these sessions is to build awareness in the young athletes of their breath and the body-mind connection, to strengthen the body, build better balance, increase flexibility, and allow for complete relaxation.

In recognition of International Yoga Day, IMG Academy’s yoga instructor, Candice Andrus, shares her insight on why yoga is so important for athletes.

1. Participating in a regular yoga program can help reduce the risk of injury by establishing a better mind-body connection.
2. Yoga enhances flexibility and core development, helping to improve mobility, strength, power and endurance.  This allows athletes to compete better and longer.
3. Yoga helps to offset the imbalances and shortened range of motion that occurs with sports that favor one side of the body.  Balancing the left and right side of the body increases whole body strength, allowing for better performance and less pain.
4. Yoga focuses on proper breathing techniques that build increased lung capacity.  Better breathing helps to improve focus, concentration and relaxation, giving athletes an edge necessary to master their mental game. 

Practicing yoga is just one of many ways that athletes can maintain a healthier and more balanced lifestyle. Below are Andrus’ top 3 tips for athletes looking to find more balance in sport and in life.

1. Eat a well-balanced diet focused on whole, unrefined, and unprocessed foods, and stay away from processed foods high in refined carbs and sugar that rob the body of vital energy.
2. Stay hydrated. Water alone does not hydrate, so be sure to get plenty of electrolytes like sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium to replace what is lost through sweat. 
3. Get enough rest. Sleep is important, but so is relaxation. Sometimes, just lying down with the eyes closed or sitting with the eyes closed for 5 minutes, and focusing on slowing the breath can be enough to recharge the body and the mind and bring in renewed energy and focus.

For more tips, tricks and advice on maintaining a healthier and more balanced athletic lifestyle, follow Coach Candice Andrus.

To learn more about IMG Academy’s Athletic & Personal Development programs, click here.