For an athlete, pain is an inevitable part of the experience, whether mental or physical. However, there is a solution…yoga! Yoga offers numerous benefits that can enhance an athlete’s performance in their sport. If athletes want to reach an elite level, they need to incorporate yoga into their weekly routine, just as they do with cardio, weight training and practice. My worst performances on the field are often correlated with times when I lack either mental clarity and focus, or when my body is so physically tired that it’s difficult for me to perform.

Yoga is an ideal activity for clearing the mind. Yoga for Sports Performance said, “Yoga is designed to bring body, mind, and spirit into balance.” It’s challenging for athletes to balance constant training, an intense academic workload and the desire to spend time with friends and family. This can have negative effects on performance and lead to an increase in mental issues. According to the National Library of Medicine, a 2020 study found that athletes who reported anxiety and depression had a 2.1 times greater injury incidence rate. Practicing yoga regularly can significantly enhance a person’s mental well-being and solve their mental health issues, like through the  reduction rate of depression and anxiety, and in turn minimize injuries.Top-tier athletes must use every method possible to prevent injury. Injury causes valuable time on the field, where you could be developing, to be lost. Some of the best professional athletes use yoga to avoid injury. The Article “Yoga for Athletes” by Nike said, “Over the course of four NFL seasons, 3,025 injuries were reported. Injury prevention is crucial for maintaining and improving performance as a football player. That’s why the Seattle Seahawks mandated yoga as part of training.” If professional sports teams are incorporating yoga into their regular practice, student athletes and Redwood sports teams should follow suit.

Another physical benefit, in addition to injury prevention, is body recovery. According to Yoga for Sports Performance, “Yoga can restore a weakened body and build it back up. Yoga postures, breath work and inner focus can help rebalance, strengthen and restore overtaxed muscles, joints and ligaments. Through this restoration process, athletes can increase their career longevity and develop an inner balance that will last a lifetime.” After engaging in extreme physical activity, such as during a game or a strenuous practice, your body will likely experience significant pain and soreness. Yoga can help alleviate this burden and support an athlete’s recovery. 

Some people may argue that athletes have a limited amount of time to train, and it is more beneficial to use that time directly on sport-specific skill-related activities rather than practicing yoga. However, the truth is that yoga can also be used as a form of sport-specific training for people who claim it is a waste of time. An example is the basketball player LeBron James, who has advocated for athletes to do yoga. According to Yoga for Athletes, “LeBron James has advocated for yoga as a way to improve athletic performance because he wishes he had done it as a player.” Even if most people aren’t practicing yoga, professionals are, and athletes and athletic programs should learn from their expertise. Not only do they benefit from their sport-specific skills, but also from increased focus and other mental skills. Yoga for Sports says, “Yoga can be used to improve athletic performance—from increasing mental concentration and improving flexibility and balance to preventing common injuries and honing skills in a particular sport.”

Yoga has the power to reduce injury, improve mental clarity and focus, alleviate anxiety and depression while also enhancing an athlete’s physical body and abilities. In that case, there is no reason anyone shouldn’t practice it. Regardless of the level, by regularly practicing yoga, teams and individuals can gain a clear edge over their opponents. This kind of unpopular practice is what creates legacies and elevates good athletes to greatness, which is why incorporating yoga into your regular athletic routine is essential.