10-Minute Yoga Routines for Basketball

with Staffan Elgelid, PT, Ph.D.
Nazareth College of Rochester, Associate Professor of Physical Therapy;
Guild-Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner (GCFT);
Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT 500) with Yoga Alliance, International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT)

Yoga brings an effective, innovative approach to basketball training.

Featuring demonstrations by a yoga teacher and a basketball player, Dr. Staffan Elgelid explains the crucial elements and importance of each pose, along with variations to accommodate players of differing strengths.

Included is a handy "pose library" that features demonstrations of each pose used in the routines.

This presentation is broken down into four 10 minute yoga routines that can easily be incorporated into a basketball practice without the use of extra equipment. Each routine showcases a specific focus.

• Flexibility Routine - Each pose in this routine promotes the flexibility required to limit injury. Included is a 10-minute running clock, so players can determine their progress in the routine.
• Strength Routine - Yoga will strengthen muscles that get overlooked in the weight room. These poses work muscle groups in an alternative manner to traditional strength training, giving players a fresh experience to their training regimen. Players practice poses that build core strength, overhead movement and spine flexibility.
• Balance Routine - This segment addresses overuse that occurs in typical basketball players. By building equal strength in each arm and leg, players will enjoy a better sense of balance, which will limit overuse injuries.
• Relaxation Routine - Learning to control your mind and relax as a basketball player allows your body to do what it needs to do on the court without being "tight," which leads to making mistakes. This routine can be used at the end of practice or by players individually before bedtime.

Players of all levels can get tired and unmotivated by traditional training methods, so implementing these routines into your program will bring a fresh perspective to training while maintaining the level of fitness required for basketball athletes.

69 minutes. 2015.