My 14 year old son has started taking yoga

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

Hi,

New member here. Searched for an answer to this question all over but can’t get one.

My 14 year old son started doing beginner yoga about 4 weeks ago and enjoys it. He plays both basketball and baseball. A friend and his father turned him on to yoga as a means of enhancing his abilities in sports.

Enough of that. Here’s the question.

He was planning to do his 5th class tomorrow at 10:45 a.m. to noon. He has a basketball game at 2:40 p.m. He gets alot of playing time as a first string player.

Should he do yoga that close to a competitive sport? What’s the “rule” when it comes to yoga and playing sports?

Any help appreciated.

Thanks,

Ed

#2

I’m new to yoga (5 months) but I don’t see a problem with it. Especially since he’s young, they bounce back so quick, remember that age?

Yoga at it’s best should be restorative and healing, Yoga should never hurt or cause pain.

It’s weight bearing at times but shouldn’t tire you out so much that you can’t play basketball. If anything the gentle stretching and breathing/relaxing should help prepare him/her for the game.

there is some debate amongst some practitioners about weightlifting and yoga for instance. I don’t think you have to give up one for the other.

Yoga is about finding a balance, push yourself to challange yourself without going to far. If you don’t push yourself enough you won’t grow, too much and you’ll hurt yourself. I think it’s fine.

#3

Ed,

There’s no rule at all. However there are often some parameters. The difference? Rules break and parameters bend :slight_smile:

In order to fully flesh out the parameters here I’d like to know quite a bit more about his class and how he tends to feel/behave after. So my answer is “it depends”, though I’d not prevent him from doing the two (tomorrow) if that is what makes his heart sing.

gordon

#4

[QUOTE=InnerAthlete;52021]Ed,

There’s no rule at all. However there are often some parameters. The difference? Rules break and parameters bend :slight_smile:

In order to fully flesh out the parameters here I’d like to know quite a bit more about his class and how he tends to feel/behave after. So my answer is “it depends”, though I’d not prevent him from doing the two (tomorrow) if that is what makes his heart sing.

gordon[/QUOTE]

Thanks Gordon!

The class is a beginners class with mainly standing stretching work and floor work towards the end. I’m not that fluent in the names of the moves but they seem to be less stressful than classes I’ve taken in my past (Bikram).

Downward dog
Cobra
Warrior
Seated Forward Bend

These moves are some examples.

Thanks again,

Ed

#5

I personally would prefer my participating student-athletes to avoid very strenuous activity before tip-off. The fuel stores of most adolescent boys is awful; junk, junk, and more junk with an occasional morsel of something nutritious.

On day of game I’d prefer a practice which is more calming, focusing, gentle, without being what a 14-year-old (and some adults who have not matured) call “boring”. The mission for a participating athlete on the day of a contest is completely different than it is days before or in the off-season.

#6

I would like to add to what Gordon said that, if indeed your son IS conscientious about what he puts into his body, I feel like some gentle yoga before a game could produce great effects for the body. Additionally, if he tries to remain very mindful after his yoga class - doesn’t turn the TV on, doesn’t play video games, doesn’t get on the computer - there will probably be powerful focusing happening as well.

I practice tai chi and chi gung as well as yoga, and there’s a philosophy which runs through it - “Tai chi is doing anything well.” When I play guitar, I practice tai chi. When I study, I practice tai chi. I feel that this is similar to yoga. As Gordon has made me see, asana practice is just a part of the yogic lifestyle.

I wish I had started practicing yoga at 14.

#7

It is so great that your son is picking up yoga! I’m no instructor, so take what I say with a grain of salt. That being said, I’m sure he’d be fine to do both! I feel so alive and refreshed after a yoga session, if he feels the same way, and has a nutritious snack or meal (with a good level of protein and complex carbohydrates), he should be fine to compete later on.

I grew up riding horses competitively, and I know finding the time to do yoga (had I practised yoga back then) would have greatly imroved my balance and focus for competition. I’m sure it has the same influence on other sports as well. I still ride, and find I always have a better session ridimg my horse on the days I’ve done yoga before. As an active 14 year old, I’m sure he has tons of energy to do both in the same day. :slight_smile:

#8

hello ed,

You might ask him if the class ends with an adequate “final relaxation,” which for a 1hr-15 min class should be 7-8 minutes or so. If not, then he should be sure to do that on his own, as soon as possible, right after class: corpse pose, auto suggestion, etc. 8 to 10 min. Then he’s good to go.

Not only is the class you describe excellent physical/mental preparation for his game, it’s also a very proactive way for him to prevent injury. I would not say the same if he were attending a hot, power, or ashtanga class as they are mostly about spending energy, but ultimately, he will know if it’s good for him or not. If he says “yes,” then more power to him and encourage him to continue.

PLAY ON!
siva