Yoga for undoing the damages of extreme sports

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

HI everyone! I play womens flat track roller derby and also practice yoga 4x a week. I have found the yoga to be a perfect balance for undoing all of the stresses that derby puts on my body. We tend to skate in one direction only, and are constantly leaning in to the left, so it’s common for us to have bodies very out of balance. For the last few weeks, the girls on my team have asked me to lead 15 minutes of yoga to cool down from our practice. I’ve just been winging it, and making the routine up as Im going along. The response thus far has been overwhelming. They love it! I’d like to create a short routine that is catered to the sport I play, meaning that it would balance out what we do in practice. The areas of our bodies that are most affected in practice are our quads, shins, glutes, lower back and shoulders.

I really don’t want to do anything that is going to create heat, since it is a cool down and shivasana is not really appropriate at the end since we are in a space that is shared by other skaters who would be whizzing by us! I’ve been doing a lot of hip openers and hamstrings as well as gentle back twists. Does anyone have any suggestions for specific poses and flow?

Thanks for any advice, Skatie Kat (rose city rollers)

#2

Hi Kat

There are many ways to approach an answer to the question you pose.
My general thoughts are that if the students are enjoying what is going on so far AND you’re only doing 15 minutes, then continue on.

It also sounds as though you are seeking an increased level of effect in what you’re doing. If one is doing a thing for several hours and that things contributes to imbalance then 20 minutes of countering is not likely to even the scale. This should serve as encouragement to do more while settling the mind relative to expectations of the practice you are enjoying thus far.

Generally speaking, imbalances can be addressed by increasing time on this side or that side, relative to the particular imbalance being attended. Since you mention areas of effect but not the specific effect it is difficult to advise for this situation. Anyone suggesting something heating for what you’ve asked is either a) not a yoga teacher, b) not a well trained one, or c) has not carefully read your post with a mind for the situation. Ergo a flow is not required unless there is a particular element you are intending which you’ve not mentioned.

That which is tight should be worked for 9 breaths. That which is already opened should be worked for 3. Further, that which is done to 75% on one side should not be done to 95% on the other. That work would foster imbalance. Instead work both sides to the level of the lesser side.

If you share more about the particular effect in this part of the body or the other, I can add to the conversation then.

gordon