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Winter is my season. I’m a skier, and have outlined myself as one for over 20 years. You’d assume that given my ardour for snowboarding I practice for my season all yr spherical.
Not a lot.
The reality is: proper about now could be when I begin to panic about getting in form for the primary day on the slopes. I’m not a gymnasium particular person, so the concept of devoted ski workout routines like weighted leg lunges, burpees, or navy squats is about as interesting as getting my tooth cleaned. Admittedly good for me, however not enjoyable.
This yr is totally different – I’ve been practising yoga semi-regularly. In doing so, I’ve realized that there are lots of poses that handle the strengthening and lengthening wants of skiers, with out the unpleasantness I affiliate with the gymnasium.
Beneath, in no explicit order, are my favorites.
Chair pose (Utkatasana) – Chair is a pose made for skiers, because it mimics the bent knee and flexed ankle skier stance. Not solely does it have interaction the quads, nevertheless it additionally works the decrease again and core, all essential for snowboarding. Nerd alert: I typically maintain imaginary ski poles on this pose as a substitute of retaining my arms above my head.
Standing ahead bend (Uttanasana) – The quadriceps typically hog the pre-ski season coaching limelight, however a skier’s hamstrings are simply as integral and deserve some love. Standing ahead bend stretches the hamstrings, calves and hips, serving as a counterbalance to different extra lively poses.
Standing head to knee (Dandayamana-Janushirasana) – One legged steadiness poses function epiphanies for these like me who function on the false premise that they don’t have a dominant facet. Along with serving to construct energy within the weaker leg, it’s an amazing pose for activating lots of the stabilizer muscle mass within the legs. As a newbie, I admire the totally different choices for this pose, since there are lots of days when simply standing on one leg is sufficient of a problem.
Vinyasa – Whereas technically it’s not a single pose, it bears together with. Skiers and snowboarders within the know perceive it’s not nearly leg energy. Vinyasas are ultimate in that they have interaction your whole physique. Whether or not you select to cobra or upward canine, this collection of poses is nice for the core, higher physique, and my favourite (sense a theme right here?), hamstrings.
Lizard pose (Utthan Pristhasana) – There aren’t any scarcity of hip opening poses in yoga. This occurs to be my favourite. Not solely does it open the groin, hip flexors, psoas, and hamstrings, it additionally prompts the interior thigh muscle mass on the entrance leg, and opens the chest, shoulders, and neck. That’s a whole lot of bang for one pose.
I do know that skiers are an opinionated lot, so if I missed your favourite pre-season pose, let me know.
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