Yoga For Padel Players
Yoga has been skyrocketing with today’s generation as of late. Especially now that folks are staying at home, people have been enjoying the perks of yoga. The good news for padel players is that yoga is also beneficial for playing padel.
In this fast-rising sport, flexibility is key to becoming the best player you can be. The size of the court and backglass setting makes this game a physically demanding sport.
The game demands physical strength, flexibility, and mental focus. Many padel players, from beginners to professionals, have found that combining yoga with padel is a win-win scenario.
Unlike sports like jogging and cycling, where you move in a single plane, padel players utilize the same arm for both forehand and backhand strokes, causing muscular imbalances on the left and right sides.
Yoga may assist athletes to develop symmetry and balance on all sides of their bodies, making them stronger and less prone to injury.
Padel is also a strategic game, therefore being cool, concentrated, and focused throughout a match is essential. Yoga helps athletes enhance mental clarity and attention by focusing on breathing and the mind-body connection.
When you practice yoga regularly, you will infuse your body with energy, which will assist players to feel better rather than tired after a game.
- Hips, back, ankles, shoulders, and wrists flexibility
- More strength and racquet speed are possible with a wider range of motion.
- Improved core strength and balance
- Joints that are stronger and more prone to damage
If you practice yoga positions off the court, you’ll be more inclined to keep going. To improve your game, try these three stances.
Adho Mukha Svanasana: a variation of the Downward-Facing Dog Pose
This position strengthens the shoulders, arms, and wrists, which helps to keep the racquet stable against the ball’s impact. It also stretches tight hamstrings induced by hours on the court with bent legs.
Get down on your hands and knees on the floor. Set your hands slightly in front of your shoulders and your knees precisely below your hips. Turn your toes under and spread your hands, index fingers slightly turned out. Exhale and raise your knees off the ground.
Keep the knees slightly bent and the heels elevated off the floor initially. Raise your buttocks toward the ceiling. Push your upper thighs back into your hamstrings and extend your heels down toward the floor as you exhale. Knees should be straightened. Stay in this position for 15 to one minute, breathing steadily.
Variation of Marichyasana 3 (Marichi’s Twist)
Twists strengthen and expand the upper body, correcting the imbalance between the right and left sides of the body and adding power.
Sit with your legs straight out in front of you on the floor. Sit on a folded blanket if your lower back is rounding. Place your right foot on the ground and bend your right knee in. The right knee should be pointing straight up to the ceiling.
On the floor behind you, cup your right fingers. Raise your spine.
Take a deep breath and raise your left arm to the ceiling. Take a deep breath and twist to the right. Place the outside of your right knee with your left elbow. The elbow should be pressed into the knee. Over your right shoulder, cast your sight. Breathe evenly for 30 seconds to one minute. Change sides.
Variation of Gomukhasana (Cow Face Pose)
This position focuses on rotator cuff tightness caused by overhead serving.
Place a yoga strap or cloth over your left shoulder from a standing posture. Inhale and push the forearm of your right arm into the hollow of your lower back. With your right hand, grab the strap.
Stretch your left arm up, palm facing front while inhaling. Exhale, bend your left elbow and reach for the strap with your left hand. Bring your hands closer together. Try not to curve the lower back by bringing the navel in nearer the spine. Join the fingers if at all feasible. Breathe evenly for 30 seconds to one minute. Change sides.
