21/11/2021
Why yoga and cross-country skiing complement each other.
Did you know that yoga classes can help you master the technique of cross-country skiing and ride more confidently? It seems that these sports are far from each other, but they have a lot in common in the requirements for flexibility and strength, which makes them an ideal pair for amateur athletes.
Changing activities is a great way to maintain interest and motivation, develop harmoniously and master new skills. It is doubly pleasant when your favorite activities complement each other.
Very soon it will be time to go out into the snow-covered forest and go cross-country skiing. The article told why after skiing it is worth doing relaxing home yoga.
Flexibility.
Flexibility plays an important role in any yoga class. No matter how you perform poses and how long you stay in them, flexibility will improve over time. With each lesson, you will be able to stretch further and deeper. Muscles, joints and ligaments will become more elastic, which will give huge advantages in the development of overall flexibility and endurance of the body.
When your body is flexible, it adapts easier and faster to new movements. Although cross-country skiing is a fairly simple repetitive movement, elastic muscles are needed to do them correctly and economically.
In addition, flexible muscles and joints protect against injuries when falling. In skiing, there are often times when you need to brake sharply or change direction.
By working on flexibility, you will reduce the risk of injury and feel more confident when skiing. To develop flexibility, perform the "greeting to the sun" and "crescent pose".
Yoga is a full-body workout. Asanas develop different parts of the body, but most are aimed at strengthening the core muscles. These are the muscles that hold the posture, stabilize the body when running and skiing. It is the strong core muscles that most novice runners and skiers lack to master the right technique and increase endurance.
When cross-country skiing, the whole body is involved. The coordinated work of the hands and feet is important, which should be supported by a strong frame. When skiing, ask someone to take a video of you. If you notice that you are swaying from side to side, know that you lack the strength of the torso. Yoga classes will help in this.
Breath.
Yoga is conscious breathing and using it to maintain movements. First you need to become aware of your natural breathing and determine a steady rhythm. This will help increase internal energy and relieve tension. Yoga classes teach you to use deep belly breathing, as opposed to the usual shallow breathing. This technique launches more air into the lungs and increases efficiency.
Cross-country skiing is a great workout for the heart and blood vessels. During skiing, the pulse and breathing become faster, there is a feeling of lack of air on the ascents. As with any cardio workout, your results will improve if you can control your breathing and use it to maintain movement. You can develop a breathing rhythm that is comfortable while skiing. For example, deep, but slow, or shallow, but rhythmic.
Sense of balance and body feeling in space
Almost all yoga exercises are somehow connected with the development of the feeling of your body. Yoga promotes the development of proprioception — the ability of the body to perceive its position in space. Doing yoga, you begin to better understand your body and manage it. Coordination improves, it becomes easier for the brain to send the necessary signals, which means it is easier to learn new movements. Regular yoga classes will help develop these skills.
One of the main tasks when teaching cross—country skiing is to avoid falling. Depending on the condition of the track, snow, wind and other factors, it may be difficult for you to stay on your feet. This is where the skills acquired during yoga classes will come in handy.
Peace and tranquility
Perhaps the most attractive benefits of yoga, for which they begin to practice it. Yoga promotes self-awareness, helps to expand the inner boundaries of your capabilities, gives you a feeling of incredible strength that you underestimate. While practicing yoga, learn to understand the signals that your body and mind give, and respond to them correctly. This is very important for physical and emotional health.
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Despite the fact that skiing is a very active sport, and sometimes even heavy, skiing can be meditative. Forest, snow, the smell of pine needles, fresh air - all this refreshes the mind, puts thoughts in order, calms the nerves.
The connection between body and mind, which you can develop in the process of practicing yoga, will help you fully feel this. Thanks to yoga, you will feel the edge of the load, which is comfortable for the body, and not go beyond it.
