In order to prepare for the upcoming ski and snowboard season, it’s important that you get your mind and body ready, and a yoga class can be very beneficial in this regard. Practicing yoga will increase your flexibility and balance while also helping to prepare your mind. Yoga will teach you to breathe properly and connect with your breath. It will help you to focus your attention inwards, allowing your mind to clear. By paying attention and listening to your body, you will be less likely to injure yourself and more likely to perform at the top of your game.
The term “Ahimsa” refers to one of the most important moral disciplines, or yamas, in yoga. It may be defined as non-harming or non-injury to all living things, including oneself. This discipline can be applied to skiing and snowboarding, teaching you not to push too hard or too fast. Instead, be sure to respect your body and yourself and know your limits.
Meditation is an idea tool for calming and clearing the mind. In this state, you control the mind, the mind does not control you. However, to keep the mind from wandering, a tremendous amount of concentration is required. Yogis say that we have about a thousand thoughts for each wink of the eye. These are a lot of thoughts and the real challenge is how to go from having all of these thoughts to having a meditative mind. While this will require some training and there are different methods for achieving a meditative state of mind, all are fairly simple in that they teach you to be present in the moment.
It is through the breath that one can become present in the moment. The breath connects us to the present moment, focusing and turning the mind inward. Once you start focusing on your breath, you will find that you quickly become calm and relaxed. This can work in just about any situation but can be particularly beneficial when skiing and snowboarding.
While there are all sorts of practices that can help you to create balance and build your resistance, Yoga provides one of the most balanced workouts possible. If you can find the time for only one practice, make it Yoga. Yoga will help you to develop a mind-body connection while strengthening your muscles and increasing your flexibility.
Remain connected while skiing with these simple Yoga tips:
- Maintain a comfortable routine.Begin by breathing deeply and take the time to stretch. Now is the time to put those Yoga poses you’ve learned in previous classes into practice.
- Release your fears. Acknowledge your fears and realize that they can be a positive influence. Fear often serves as a warning signal and can help to protect you. Nevertheless, too much fear can be paralyzing and keep you from acting quickly or appropriately when necessary. Bring your attention to your breath, taking note of how your abdomen moves in and out as you breathe. After just a few breaths with your attention focused in this way, you will begin to relax, your breathing will become slower, and your mind will become clearer with fewer thoughts. Finding the right balance here can actually raise your adrenaline and get you into “the zone”.
- Be content. Practice contentment while skiing by taking in the beauty of the views and the mountains and the fluidity of your movements. Be grateful that you have your health, the time and the ability to enjoy your life by doing something that’s great for you.
- Keep things simple. Again, don’t overdo and know your limits.
- Remain present. Focus on your breath and enjoy the present moment.
- Laugh. Laughter is the best medicine of all. It releases the diaphragm and also releases fears and anxieties. Don’t take life too seriously and always find reason to laugh.
Enjoy the ski and snowboard season!