11 Yoga Poses for Athletes

Yoga has been making the headlines in the past few years, as professional athletes speak to the benefits of adding the practice to their training regimens. All types of athletes—NFL football players, Olympic skiers and soccer players alike—are attributing measurable physical gains to how often they hit the mat.

It all boils down to cross-training. Ironically, practicing the same sport repeatedly can have a negative effect on the body. Muscle groups can easily become overused, resulting in imbalance and stiffness in other areas of the body. By adding yoga to a training regimen, one is able to stretch, lengthen and strengthen muscles that otherwise go ignored.

Consider adding these 11 yoga poses focusing on common trouble areas to your own cross-training routine!

Supine Twist

Benefits:

• Calms the central nervous system

• Stretches and relaxes the spine

Half Pigeon

Benefits:

• Creates a deep hip-opening for supple, flexible hips

Runners Lunge with Quad Stretch

Benefits:

• Lengthens quadriceps

• Releases tension in overused hamstrings and hips

Dancer's Pose

Benefits:

• Lengthens quadriceps, biceps and triceps

• Stretches hip flexors

• Opens shoulders and chest

• Increases lung capacity

Crescent Moon with Side Stretch

Benefits:

• Provides a deep hip flexor stretch

• Opens the side body

• Improves balance and core strength

Warrior I

Benefits:

• Stretches chest, lungs, shoulders and neck

• Strengthens shoulders, arms, back muscles, thighs, calves and ankles

Pyramid Pose

Benefits:

• Strengthens and stretches the entire leg and spine

• Lengthens hamstrings

• Strengthens and tones the abdomen

Downward Facing Dog

Benefits:

• Strengthens hands, wrists, lower back, hamstrings, calves and Achilles tendon

Extended Side Angle

Benefits:

• Strengthens thighs, hips, groin, back, spine, waist, ankles and shoulders

Triangle Pose

Benefits:

• Strengthens and stretches thighs, knees, ankles, hip, groin, hamstrings, calves, shoulders, chest and spine

Camel Pose

Benefits:

• Stretches entire front side of the body including chest, abdomen and hip flexors

• Strengthens the back, gluteal and triceps muscles