Yoga Exercises For Hockey Players

People deserve a break from their respective work, but apparently, hockey players don’t. The pre-season beginnings can leave the players in a void and their flexibilities and stamina in a rut. But a little bit of yoga can surely help them keep up on the game along with maintaining form and function during the season. Here is how! Have a look.

High Lunge

This pose will help strengthen the groins and help build stamina. Lift the torso off the leg so as to allow the spine to elongate further. Push the shoulders away from the ears and try to reach out forward using the upper body to take on the explosive action of skating forward. The Delhi Waverider hockey team religiously follows this pose for great results.

Plank

Plank is the most useful of exercises and serves as a great core strengthener. You can follow this yoga exercise by actively pushing the heels back while hugging the thigh muscles to bones. Keep the breath slow and steady and make sure that your neck is in continuation with the long spine by tucking the chin towards your chest.

Warrior-2 Balance

The balancing act sure helps many score the points! It is splendid, for reasons more than one. The forward reach of the torso and extension of the back leg helps one engage the core and lengthen the spine. The gluteus medius is also engaged by opening a leg up which further helps in pushing action of a breakaway skate.

Downward dog

This pose helps strengthen the shoulders. It is a great way to protect against dislocation. But, dolphin needs to be practised with great care. You need to ensure that elbows are parallel and directly under the shoulders. Go carefully about this pose if you have rotator cuff injuries. Stay in forward facing dog stretch for better results.