A Pro Bowl Linebacker is Now a Yoga Instructor, and It All Started with an Injury

(Photo by Ali Kaukas for Wanderlust Festival)

BROOKLYN – It had been 15 years Keith Mitchell performed in front of thousands of fans in the greater New York City area. In his past life however, the crowd wasn’t widely splayed in front of him on yoga mats.
“I guess the more traditional way that we are supposed to greet each other in the yoga community is we say ‘Namaste,’” Mitchell, a former Pro Bowl linebacker with the New Orleans Saints, told the audience at Wanderlust 108 in Prospect Park on Saturday. “That’s so different from where I’ve come from because normally when I’d journey to the East Coast and New York City I would not be bringing peace typically. We would come here to beat up on the New York Giants and New York Jets.”

While it may seem strange to see a retired NFL veteran leading a series of “Ohm” chants at an outdoor yoga festival, Mitchell’s journey to his current profession as a certified yoga and meditation instructor actually started with a very scary moment on the football field in 2003.

Head over to USA Today's Sports Section for the amazing story of how one athlete rehabilitated himself with yoga.

That's What We've Been Saying!

Men: How to Crush Any Workout and Win More With Yoga

 

A great article about athletes performing at their best with yoga popped into the email queue today.  Jake Panasevich, trainer for MLS team the Philadelphia Union, articulates why athletes at every level should incorporate yoga into their fitness routine, and we couldn't agree more.  Read on to find out why this trainer incorporated yoga into his client's routines.

If you’re a guy who grew up in America, you most likely competed in sports. It’s part of our upbringing and a large part of who we are as a culture. Sports prepare you for life. They teach work ethic, how to win respectfully and how to lose with dignity and seek redemption. We like to work hard, physically compete and earn our victories. As the yoga trainer for Major League Soccer's Philadelphia Union and other professional athletes, I’m inspired to hear them rave about the benefits of yoga on their athletic performance.

If athletes at the highest level of competition are killing it with yoga, so could athletes at every level. Whether you’re competing in sports, or if you’re a recreational runner, rock climber, cyclist, weightlifter or CrossFitter, perform at your best with yoga.  Here's how to do it...

Yoga Pose of the Month from Active Life DC - Post-Marathon Relief with Seated Straddle

It's been a while since we've posted, but here's a great yoga pose for you distance runners... check it out!

Active Life DC | Yoga for Athletes Pose of the Month: Post-Marathon Relief with Seated Straddle

Moga (yoga for men) is back by popular demand in British Columbia

Photo: bowenislandundercurrent.com

Yoga for men, aptly named Moga, ran for the first time in the spring and quickly became popular, attracting men who were interested in learning new ways to improve their overall fitness.

“Men are generally tighter and need something that is different from the yoga taught for women.  The postures I chose are designed to loosen the muscles and expand the breath,” explains yoga instructor Wade Morissette.  Read the full article below.

Moga (yoga for men) is back by popular demand - Bowen Island Undercurrent

Yoga for Golfers Tip from Katherine Roberts

PGA.com blogger John Kim recently reached out to renowned yoga expert Katherine Roberts, founder of Yoga for Golfers and Nike Golf Swoosh Elite Staff Member, to ask if she could provide one tip for golfers. 

Here's what she shared.:

 

Image Credit: Yogaforgolfers.com

"Hi John!

I had a great few weeks down at Spring Training and now able to think more about golfers. But in truth, regardless of the sport, in order for athletes to excel -  flexibility is paramount. The ability to stretch properly can add strength and improve performance in the ballpark and on the golf course (and other sports too of course).

Most golfers recognize that the golf swing consists of a motion that coils and uncoils the spine over a powerful lower body. There are yoga poses that help efficient torso turn and increase lower body strength.  In addition to torso rotation, proper stabilization of the shoulder supports club control and reduces shoulder injury. 

Remember, the upper arm bone should be drawn into the shoulder socket before the rotation for more stability and strength. The spinal rotation initiates from the deepest part of the lower abdominal muscles and funnels through the shoulder and out through the extended hand.

In your pre-round warm up, you might consider this yoga pose:

Starting Position- Step your left leg back into a long lunge, lift your left heel as high as possible. Right knee is at a 90-degree angle. Place your left hand directly under your left shoulder. Draw the right knee toward the mid-line of your body. Inhale deeply as you open your torso to the right. Exhale as you bring the torso and arm parallel to the ground. Repeat five times and switch sides. 

Throughout this motion concentrate on deep inhalation and exhalation. Focus on the quality of your breath throughout this dynamic flexibility and strengthening movement. Deep breath plus wide stretch is the foundation to athletic success. To learn more on how yoga can enhance your golf game performance visit: http://yogaforgolfers.com/."

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