The American Yoga Association's Yoga for Sports

Peak performance?when you feel as if you can run faster, jump higher, and last longer than ever before. When you feel light as air, time stands still, and all your senses feel sharp and clear. You know you are going to succeed. You can feel it throughout your body and deep within your inner being. Most athletes have experienced this limitless feeling at some time in their careers, but few believe they can do anything to elicit or enhance the experience. In Yoga for Sports, you will find out how the basic techniques of Yoga, combined with a new way of thinking that calls upon the strength of the inner body, can help you achieve your dreams. The endless source of power and strength is always there; you need only learn how to recognize it and welcome it. When you succeed, you will experience sport in a whole new way. Whether you are a serious athlete or weekend warrior, in this book you will find proven techniques to enhance your physical performance and your enjoyment of your sport. Step-by-step instruction through a comprehensive routine of Yoga exercise, including breathing, meditation, visualization techniques, and various sport-specific suggestions, will help you warm up properly and avoid injury. This book is your key to ultimate strength, endurance, and flexibility for a more high performance athletic experience. Alice Christensen, founder and executive director of the American Yoga Association, is one of the world's foremost Yoga teachers. Her many previously published books and tapes demonstrate her unique ability to translate the subtle messages and techniques of Yoga into terms that anyone can understand and benefit from.

In the tradition of the bestselling book Stretching — which introduced athletes to sports-specific stretching routines — this is the definitive guide for athletes wanting to add yoga to their training regimens. Anyone can use yoga to improve stamina, endurance, focus, and strength. Each chapter contains exercises targeted to individual sports so participants of that sport can find routines that will fit their needs. Breathing and meditation — likewise important in any sport — are also covered.
-- Techniques include routines and positions for target sports (baseball, football, basketball), sports using one side of the body (golf, tennis), team sports (football, soccer), artistic sports (karate, tae kwon do), strength and balance sports (gymnastics), and endurance sports (running, swimming), among other categories
-- With more than 200 photos, each position is clearly illustrated so even a novice can follow
-- Other titles by the American Yoga Association — the United States' preeminent yoga organization — have sold more than 200,000 copies

Includes bibliographical references (p. 185) and index.