| Do gymnasts and dancers need yoga? | | | | gymnasts is yoga stretching. The flexibility requirement |
| Yoga improves the flexibility of the body by improving | | | | of the body can easily be achieved by a proper yoga |
| the range of motion. There are various types of yoga, | | | | workout. Gymnasts need to constantly challenge their |
| each having its own focus area. E.g. Hatha yoga has | | | | bodies by holding their bodies in stretched positions for |
| proved to positively increase the muscle movement i.e. | | | | longer periods and stretching more and more every |
| the flexibility. Yin yoga helps to move the flexibility from | | | | day. It is advisable that they do this under the guidance |
| muscle tissue to connective tissue which is very | | | | of a certified yoga trainer. |
| beneficial. | | | | Benefits of yoga over dance and gymnastics: |
| We can say that yoga and dance are somewhat | | | | Yoga helps to improve the mental functioning |
| similar- both include movements as well as poses or | | | | Improves lung capacity therefore higher level of |
| postures. The difference is that yoga focuses on the | | | | energy is seen |
| physical as well as the mental aspect whereas dance | | | | Helps to reduce stress |
| stresses only on the external aspect. We can say that | | | | Help in maintaining the balance in dances like ballet |
| a dancer may look good but a yogi may feel good. | | | | dancing etc |
| Hence, regular dance practice may improve the | | | | Helps improve stamina |
| flexibility of the body externally but, to achieve a | | | | Boosts immunity |
| complete development of flexibility dancers should opt | | | | A few poses for flexibility are as below: |
| for yoga exercises. Adding yoga exercises to regular | | | | Tadasana - Stand straight with your feet together and |
| dance practice has been found to increase flexibility, | | | | hands at your side. Now slowly raise both your hands |
| improve stage performance and decrease stress | | | | upwards, fingers pointing towards the sky. Now slowly |
| levels and improve mental fitness in dancers. | | | | raise your heels as much as you can and stand on |
| Choosing the right yoga technique is very essential for | | | | your toes. Repeat 3-4 times. |
| a dancer. Those who focus on the joints and muscles | | | | Trikonasana - Stand straight with your legs apart. Now |
| may opt for kundalini yoga whereas for strength and | | | | slowly raise both your hands on each side so that they |
| endurance athanga yoga style may be chosen. | | | | are parallel to the shoulder. Bend towards the right side |
| Gymnasts need to have a lot of stamina, physical as | | | | such that the index finger of your right hand touches |
| well as mental fitness and flexibility as well. Though by | | | | the right toe. Simultaneously, your left hand should go |
| a gymnast can achieve flexibility by regular training but, | | | | upwards. Return to normal position and repeat with the |
| similar to dancers, the flexibility is only external. For a | | | | other side. |
| complete physical and mental development, all | | | | Similarly one can try poses like Bhujangasana, |
| gymnasts should practice yoga. | | | | Shirshasana, Sarvangasana to gain flexibility, strength |
| An essential part of the workout of professional | | | | and power in your body. |