Yoga is a great tool for athletes as it helps prevent injuries, opens the body, and clears the mind. Physically, yoga helps with mobility, strength, balance, and length. Mentally, yoga allows athletes to be in the present moment, focus on their body and most importantly their breath. Both of these aspects can be translated in sport performance and off ice training. Muscle tension, tightness, and body strain are common issues in athletes.

Athletes tend to repeat muscle patterns which can result in over worked areas, injuries and compensation in the body. Yoga allows athletes to create space and balance, eliminating the potential for injury and long term joint damage. For example, hip tightness is common in hockey players caused by the repetitive pattern of skating and a lot of time spent in a hip flexed position. Upper back tightness and low back injuries are also common building up from forward leaning and rounded postures on the ice.

Because the sport is generated from powerful and fast movements, groin and hip injuries are common. Yoga prevents injuries by lengthening and strengthening these commonly used muscles and joints by working into certain positions and postures. Overall, yoga will work to increase range of motion, strength, balance, length, endurance, and control.