WHAT YOU CAN GAIN AS AN ATHLETE WHO CROSS-TRAINS WITH YOGA...

* How to stretch effectively - stretching can be totally pointless, even dangerous, if done incorrectly. Most people don't know how to stretch correctly - learn what to do and what to avoid,

(Studies show that effective stretching can improve your performance by up to 30%).

* Strengthening of weaker, under-used muscles and core stabilizers (most sports use the bigger external muscles to power movement, leaving deeper smaller muscles undeveloped and in-accessable when distributing work load).

* Increased endurance and energy levels (Overly tight muscles and lack of/restricted joint mobility means your energy is being wasted in trying to push through those blocks just to make you move in the most basic way).
* Improved performance through breath training and specific exercises for strengthening of breathing muscles (Studies show anywhere from 5-33% improvement - breath training is particularly effective in cyclists. The Pranayama exercises taught in general yoga classes are NOT the correct breathing techniques that athletes should be learning and can damage lung tissue!).
* Faster recovery rate after competing.
* Better injury prevention and recovery.

* Visualization techniques and practices to strengthen your mental game.

* Techniques to deal with pre-race anxiety and stress.

* Stronger Immune System from relaxation techniques that tone the nervous system (Hyper-focus, over-training and peak competition can over-strain the nervous system, which in turn breaks down the Immune System).

* Relaxation techniques are crucial to balance out an active training schedule so that you don't fatigue and burn out from the stress load.