Yoga in American Football

I Play Football and Have Come To The conclusion that i would benefit from yoga. id have more focus and be more flexible which helps in my stances. I’ve also heard it can add to height which would help since im not an ideal height. and inch or 2 would be great and would be such a great help.

now my questions are, what posistions would help me in football and what kind of increase in height could i expect

Hello Floyd,

First we need to dispel the idea of increased height through yoga. It is possible to correct slouching posture and thus stand more erect. That would be your actual height and that will not change radically unless you are still under 20 and still actually growing. So the answer is “expect no change in your height”.

As far as yoga postures that might assist you for football (or a life with football in it) that would depend a bit on what position you are playing. Typically offensive and defensive lineman have some different needs then do members of the backfield, linebackers, or secondary.

[quote=InnerAthlete;8105]Hello Floyd,

First we need to dispel the idea of increased height through yoga. It is possible to correct slouching posture and thus stand more erect. That would be your actual height and that will not change radically unless you are still under 20 and still actually growing. So the answer is “expect no change in your height”.

As far as yoga postures that might assist you for football (or a life with football in it) that would depend a bit on what position you are playing. Typically offensive and defensive lineman have some different needs then do members of the backfield, linebackers, or secondary.[/quote]

well im 15 and i guess im still growing

and im and offensive and defensive lineman. I mainly want to loosen up my back and legs

It is, of course, best to work with and learn from an experienced and well trained yoga teacher. Just as you would not go on to a football forum and ask how to tackle, then expect an invitation to the Football Combine preceding the NFL Draft, neither should one expect to “learn” too much of this from the internet. So please consider finding a teacher in your area. If money is an issue then try bartering or volunteering at a studio. If you need some direction for that, please ask.

That having been said, for linemen I think there are three critical movements or groups I would be focusing on. The first is backbends. The second would be the six movements of the hips (flexion, extension, internal rotation, external rotation, adduction, and abduction). And the third would be the release of tension in the neck, shoulders, and upper back (trapezius, levator scapula, serratus anterior).

so if im still growing what could I expect in change of height? i know its nothing major so i do not need to hear that speech, im just not sure of the number