Yoga stretches for soccer

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

Folks:

I am a volunteer soccer coach for kids 5-14.

Some of the yoga practices ( given under Pawana Muthasan series in the book “Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha” by Swami Satyanada Saraswathi) I find is very useful especially the ones for ankle, knee and hip joints.

Can I let kids practice those with normal breathing ? The reason I do not want to include breathing is (1) it is hard for them to remember (2) it will look more like a yoga practise than a soccer coaching session.

Your valuable inputs appreciated.

#2

It would be more helpful if you would express the actual concern rather than asking if you can “let kids practice…”. You may do whatever you’d like.

If you are asking if it is [I]harmful[/I] when not tied to the breath, then I would not be able to say unless I know both the breath and practices being discussed. Since I don’t own the book you reference, you’ve got me on this one.

The breathing will actually be far more profound a lesson than the movement of ankles. So you have to choose whether you are preparing adolescents for sport or whether you are preparing them for life, of which sport is a part. Hmmmmmm.

Sure the breathing is tough. So is dribbling a soccer ball 50 yards, marking up man-to-man, heading the ball, maintaining spacing… If you only taught that which was easy they’d have no need for you.

#3

As a former soccer and baseball player who is still working to correct the massive asymmetries caused by these sports, allow me to provide one piece of advice that I pray you will take.

Have the kids spend at least 5 minutes at the end of every practice kicking with ONLY their weak leg. Not only will this make them better soccer players in the long run, but it will balance the repetitive movements they’re doing over and over again and lessen the imbalances created. Your kids will thank you when they’re older. Well, they won’t because they won’t know what you saved them from, but I promise you it is the right thing to do.

#4

David : Thanks. This is something I stress but will make a point to include as an item.

Gordon: Well here is an example. Ardha Titali Asana(Half butterfly pose). Here we breathe in while bringing the knee towards the chest and breath out when pushing the knee down…

Is omission of breathing(allow normal breathing) causes any issue to this pose and similar poses that helps the ankle/knee and hip joints.

#5

You’re fantastic, thanks :slight_smile: And tell other coaches too :wink:

#6

David: Thanks for the kind and motivating words!

Any one has any thought on the original question I raised ?

In a nut shell

  1. Is breathing as precribed for a pose is as important when doing in the context of a sports program ?

  2. what exactly the breathing does in a pose…physiologically…

Thanks!

#7

  1. Yes. A yoga pose without proper breathing isn’t a yoga pose in my opinion.

  2. On a physiological level, I feel the most important aspect of breathing in a pose is to help control the myotatic reflex. Basically when you stretch or move your muscles, information is sent to the spine and your body says, “Don’t go further or you’ll get hurt.” The breathing helps relax this response so that over time you CAN go further and lengthen the muscle in a healthy manner.

#8

I grew up playing soccer too — being right footed – i notice my neck is constantly tilted to my right — like i’m getting ready to kick right footed. is this what you’re talking about?

#9

The asymmetries manifest themselves differently for everyone. Could that be due to soccer? It may play a part but it’s probably a part of a greater whole.