I do love a summer of sport. It offers multiple opportunities to observe athletes not only as they compete but as they prepare for their sport. It’s fascinating seeing the different approaches. As I write this I’m watching Noah Lyles who is completely pumped prior to the 100m final at the Paris Olympic Games.
A couple of weeks ago, we went to the Diamond League in London. We had amazing seats right near the start/finish line. Outside the London Stadium were shipping containers painted with images of various athletes including this one of Katarina Johnson-Thompson (KJT).
Watching KJT on the big screen as she prepared to do the long jump, made me think of my yoga for athletes training and how I share my knowledge of the benefits of yoga for athletes in my classes. This is also something I will be sharing with those of you joining me at Run Sandringham 24.
KJT’s preparation included rocking back and forth, swinging her arms mimicking the movement she would be making in her run up. This dynamic movement is great prep to get the blood flowing, warming the muscles and releasing tension. Stiff joints and tight muscles block energy which is essential for movement. Yoga classes start with movements to prepare for the poses to come. As part of my Saturday Sandringham class I will be teaching a dynamic warm-up mimicking elements of our running, releasing tension, preparing both the body, breath and the mind for the challenge ahead.
KJT also had her eyes closed at times. I wondered if she was visualising the jump in her head. This technique is used widely in sport. Leon Taylor, British Olympic Silver medalist, could stand anywhere and picture himself on the 10m high diving board with his routine playing out in his mind. Using Visual Motor Rehearsal (VMR) the neurons and muscle fibres involved in executing the movement respond similarly even when simply picturing it. In yoga visualisation is often used as a technique during our final resting pose, Savasana, at the end of class.
As part of your Sandringham (or any other race) prep try visualising yourself as you run each lap. You can do this before you go to sleep one night. How will you feel as you are standing on the start line? Who will be with you? What will you be wearing? What might you hear? Then later in the race, how will your laps play out as you start to tire? Given that the mind struggles to distinguish between imagination and reality, how can you use this visualisation technique in a positive way to keep you going when the going gets tough (which it will!)? How will you feel as you visualise yourself crossing the finish line for the last time? Will your team mates be around you cheering you on?
This links to my final point and one we will practice during our session – the use of mantra. Again seeing KJT with her eyes closed I wondered if she was silently repeating some words to herself. Alternatively, you have an athlete like Lyles who is outwardly vocal as well as repeating words to himself under his breath. One of my favourites in a race environment is “I am ready”. Mantra should be in the present tense, personal to you and positive. If you are repeating to yourself either in your head or out loud “This is awful”, “I can’t do this” or “My legs hurt” then your head will start to drop, your legs will feel like lead and you probably will give up. I’m not suggesting that mantra will help you break the course record but anything is worth a try. Returning to this opportunity to observe professional athletes, notice when and how you see them talking to themselves. They often give an insight into their preparation techniques in post-race interviews.
Yoga is increasingly being used by different professional sports people as a key element of their training. It is not only about stretching tight muscles, building strength and improving balance (both physically and to your training). Yoga can help achieve those important marginal gains to performance. I look forward to sharing my love of yoga for athletes with you in the wonderful grounds of the Sandringham Estate.
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