5 Yoga Postures For Athletes

Cow Face Pose (“Gomukhasana”)

Benefits:

This posture is one of the best for relieving sciatica and lower back pain. Cow face pose is a great stretch for hips, knees, thighs and lower back.

How to do it:

• Start on the floor on hands and knees, with knees together touching.

• Cross one knee behind the other, spreading the heels apart.

• Walk the hands back, sitting between your heels.

• Use hands to stack knees deeper if needed.

Tips:

Beginners may not reach the floor with both sitting bones. For a deeper stretch, grab feet with each hand, and hinge forward. Folding out over the stacked knees. (*When folding, keep the head in line with the spine.)

Pyramid Pose (“Parsvottanasana”) With arms extended.

Benefits:

Pyramid pose stretches and strengthens hamstrings and claves, as well as lengthens the spinal region. When done with clasped hands and extended arms, this posture stretches shoulders, upper back muscles, and wrists. It also stimulates the digestive organs by targeting/massaging the abdominal region.

How to do it:

• Start with “warrior one” posture.

• Straighten the front leg, keeping the back foot at an angle.

• Clasp hands behind back, and interlace fingers. (Bring palms together touching).

• Straighten the arms/elbows.

• Fold out over extended front leg.

• Lift arms off back with hands clasped.

Tips:

While folding, make sure both hips are aligned. Keep the spine straight and strong, and relax the head and belly!

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