It is well established that the regular practice of yoga can help improve athletic performance. Doing yoga alongside other forms of athletic training can improve core strength, endurance, balance, posture, flexibility and so on. For instance we know that yoga helps long distance/ marathon runners because it improves breath control, strengthens muscles and speeds up healing of injuries. Yoga can also help tennis players for many of the same reasons. We look at why yoga is recommended for tennis players, as well as specific poses that help tennis players.
Yoga for tennis players
There are very good reasons why top tennis players include yoga in their fitness and training regime. Serena Williams, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic are known to practice yoga to improve performance and give themselves that all important competitive edge. Yoga helps optimally stretch muscles and increases range of motion. This helps tennis players improve their shots and prevents athletic injuries.
Strong limbs are very important for tennis players. Leg muscles have to be strong and lean to improve agility and speed for better court coverage. Strong arms of course are of the utmost importance for the powerful serve, the well-placed forehand and the well calibrated backhand. Needless to say, core body strength and balance are important for the tennis player. For these specific requirements, adding yoga to the tennis player’s training regime can become a game changer.
Weight bearing yoga poses which help strengthen the muscles and joints in the legs, as well as the arms and shoulders are recommended. Plus, aasans that stretch the muscles and improve balance help a player to quickly reach different points on the court without risk of falls or injury. Another reason why yoga can be very important for tennis players is that it improves concentration and mental composure. The mindful breathing techniques and meditation included in the practice of yoga has beneficial impacts beyond the physical. It improves mental endurance and focus. Composure and mental toughness can sometimes be the one factor separating the winner from the loser in a match that is equally poised.
Yoga poses for tennis players
Vrikshasan or tree pose is one of the recommended poses since it is weight bearing, opens out the hips and improves balance.
The pigeon pose is another aasan that helps stretch out the pelvic and hamstring area. It helps with those lunges across court and prevents related injuries.
Gomukhasana or cow face pose helps stretch out the tendons and ligaments of the arms and legs, improving range of motion and building core strength. This seated position can be varied to do a wrist stretch by bringing the fingers down to the ground on either side of the body.
Virabhadrasana or warrior pose is also recommended for improving core body and leg muscle strength and to improve balance. The pose also helps to stretch the shoulders and chest.
Other yoga poses and variations of these poses can help tennis players up their game. Now during the COVID-19 pandemic, it may not be possible for many regular players to play tennis. However, doing specific yoga poses for tennis may help one emerge a better player at the end of it all.