The Softer Side of Sports
Taking the Grunt Out of the Game
Adam Lawless
Issue date: 3/1/07 Section: Sports
Nelson does a lot of cycling and has found that doing yoga is good for his core. Being an athlete himself, Nelson knows that a strong core is essential to being a good athlete. He carried this knowledge with him and integrated into his coaching methods.
The thought of a men's lacrosse team doing yoga positions, such as downward facing dog or the lotus pose, might make some people smirk. However, Nelson knew it would help the players unite body, mind and spirit. Yoga allowed them to be centered and focused during games.
"Players benefit from yoga because it reduces anxiety," Nelson said. "It gets players in the best frame of mind in order to get them to play at their best."
Nelson introduced his players to yoga in order to help them with their performance on the field, but he always hoped it would be something they would carry with them and continue to do throughout their lives.
WKTV sports anchor and reporter Brian Sandler agrees that alternative training methods such as yoga and nutrition counseling can have a major affect on an athlete's performance. Sandler has built his career around sports and knows that there are many different facets that make up a good athlete.
"It is not just college players that use training methods like yoga," Sandler said. "Professional athletes have been known to use all different types of methods in order to help improve their skills. Many football players, for example, take ballet to improve their flexibility and agility."
The thought of a men's lacrosse team doing yoga positions, such as downward facing dog or the lotus pose, might make some people smirk. However, Nelson knew it would help the players unite body, mind and spirit. Yoga allowed them to be centered and focused during games.
"Players benefit from yoga because it reduces anxiety," Nelson said. "It gets players in the best frame of mind in order to get them to play at their best."
Nelson introduced his players to yoga in order to help them with their performance on the field, but he always hoped it would be something they would carry with them and continue to do throughout their lives.
WKTV sports anchor and reporter Brian Sandler agrees that alternative training methods such as yoga and nutrition counseling can have a major affect on an athlete's performance. Sandler has built his career around sports and knows that there are many different facets that make up a good athlete.
"It is not just college players that use training methods like yoga," Sandler said. "Professional athletes have been known to use all different types of methods in order to help improve their skills. Many football players, for example, take ballet to improve their flexibility and agility."
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