i am a hockey player. Can yoga help me?

Question

Should I do yoga and asanas practice after completing my hockey session in evening?

Would yoga help in increasing performance in hockey sessions?

Answer 1

After your hockey session, you need to practice progressive relaxation or deep relaxation. You can also learn Autogenic training for improving your performance in hockey tournaments.

Due to fatigue after hockey session, I cannot recommend any asanas or pranayama except the above. However, to improve you performance in the sports, I suggest you to go for Sukshama Vyayama before stepping to yogasanas. These are set of 48 exercises.  You can do these 48 exercises in a break up of 4 sets each of 12 exercises and each set can be alternated on alternate days. Thereafter, you can do naadi shodhan pranayama to prepare yourself for other pranayamas and improving your cardiorespiratory endurance. This is the initial practice of yoga that you should perform. Thereafter you can resort to yogasanas basic to advanced ones.

Answer 2

Yoga enhances the vitality and energy in the system.It adds flexibility and focus.Most of the sports need focusing and inner strength.Yoga adds relaxation so mind gets calmer and person plays with patience and enjoy the game.Please try simple meditation technique and relaxation.The day you are not playing Hockey you may add warrior two and three poses.Remember over doing is not good.Moderation practice adds peace, calmness and patience.    Blessings

Answer 3

I have mentioned yogic exercises corresponding to the skills required for hockey players. We see that skating is foundational to the skills in hockey.

Puck Handling which involves Balance, stance, and agility on feet - Shifting of weight on feet to enhance dekes and fakes = Edge Transition.  The second skill required is Shooting which involves balance, stance, and agility on feet, Shifting of weight on feet to push puck completely through shot – power via legs = Edge transition and driving of front foot to net off shot – complimentary direction of motion (bottom and top) = Gliding front foot
Following Sukshama Vyayam Numbers 42-48  are helpful for these skills.

•     Jangha -sakti vikasaka (For thighs)
•     Jangha sakti vikasaka (For thighs)
•     janu sakti vikasaka (For knees)
•     Pindali mula sakti vikasaka (For Calves)
•     Pada mula sakti vikasaka (For Soles)
•     Gulpha pada prstha pada tala sakti vikasaka (For Ankles and Feet)
•     Pandanguli sakti vikasaka (For Toes)

The other skill required is Passing which involves Balance, stance, and agility on feet and shifting of weight on feet to push puck completely through pass - power via legs = Edge transition
Following Asanas are helpful for these skills of coordination, balance and stability

•     Tadasana (Asana for balance and coordination)
•     Ekpadasana (Vrikshasana) (Asana for balance and coordination)
•     Garudasana (Asana for balance and coordination)
•     Shirshasana (Asana for balance)
•     Sarvanga pushti (Sthula Vyayama - for entire body flexibilty)
•     Rekha Gati (Sthula Vyayama - For concentration and proper gait)
•     Hrd-gati (Sthula vyayama - for strength)

At the end, I would also suggest for autogenic training to be practiced by every player for best performance in competitions.

Comments

Very well said Gulshan Kumar.I have few students during summer time,I recommend Tadasana and Garudasana and in the end savasana for relaxation.Thsese youngsters need to learn to relax and let go.Too much pressure on them.Thanks