Centered Athlete

How is TCA’s Yoga for Athletes different from other forms of yoga?
As an athlete, why would I want to take Yoga for Athletes classes?
If I have an injury, is it safe for me to do Yoga for Athletes classes?
Do I have to be very flexible to do Yoga for Athletes?
How many times per week should I dedicate to Yoga?
How quickly should I expect to see results?
My regular training takes a lot of my time, how do I fit yoga into my demanding schedule?
Will Yoga for Athletes have any negative impact on my training and performance?
Do I risk getting injured doing Yoga for Athletes?
If I’m not an athlete, can I still do the classes and attend the workshops?
How do I know that the instructors are competent?
Does TCA’s Yoga for Athletes include any spiritual practices?

How is TCA’s Yoga for Athletes different from other forms of yoga?
There are many different styles of yoga. Some are very dynamic and movement-oriented, while others are slow-paced and static. One thing they all have in common is that they promote the movement of energy throughout the body. The Centered Athlete programs have been designed around the principles and practices of Ashtanga and Iyengar Yoga. The mix of these two forms offers athletes an almost ideal method with which to safely and effectively address their sport-specific and seasonal needs.

As an athlete, why would I want to take Yoga for Athletes classes?
Yoga designed specifically for athletes can help you to perform significantly better, recover quicker, and remain injury-free. Yoga for Athletes is not only an exercise in stretching; it’s an approach that teaches you how to manage the flow of energy throughout the body while steadying the mind. Sport-specific yoga enables you to use your own capacity to move and concentrate – without involving extreme flexibility and mysticism, to become increasingly aware of your body’s patterns and to help you become your own best teacher.

Reducing tension and increasing mobility in key areas of the body (hips, legs, and lower back) can make a remarkable difference in athletic performance and in everyday quality of life. As you become familiar with the process, you may choose to incorporate sport-specific yoga as an integral part of your training program, as a form of cross-training, or as an active recovery technique.

Athletes are in the best position to be attentive to the needs of their own bodies and to notice instabilities and imbalances. In your yoga practice, you’ll gain the self-awareness to observe your body’s reaction to your sports training. By carefully ‘listening to your body’, you might get the early warning signs of overtraining and perhaps avoid an injury waiting to happen.

If I have an injury, is it safe for me to do Yoga for Athletes classes?
It is common for athletes to have aches, pains, and injuries. Before you even begin any program with TCA, we will ask you to complete a health profile so that our staff is fully aware of your acute or chronic injuries. Regardless of whether your injury is recent or chronic, we take great care in making sure that every posture respects the principles of correct alignment and your range of motion. Every body is unique, and we want to make sure that we take that into consideration.

Do I have to be very flexible to do Yoga for Athletes?
No. The TCA programs have been developed with the understanding that the athletic body typically operates within a less than ideal range of motion. Most of us are at least a little out of balance when it comes to strength, flexibility, or both. By working within your own limits, you will be able to gradually work toward correcting muscular imbalances and tightness.

How many times per week should I dedicate to Yoga?
At the beginning, once a week for 60 to 75 minutes may be enough. As you progress, you may notice that twice a week is adequate. With time, you will be able to properly assess what your body needs and how often. To really tune in and be able to sharpen the mind-body connection, you may want to ideally work toward three times per week. NOTE: Where you are in your season will also dictate how and when you approach your yoga program.

How quickly should I expect to see results?
Because of the personal, introspective nature of Yoga for Athletes, you may realize something significant in the first few classes. It may be a slight correction in your posture, a better quality of breathing, an awareness of a particular strength or weakness, or it could be something as simple as a reduction in tension in a certain part of your body. Depending upon your own personal needs and expectations, here are just a few benefits that you can expect to encounter with regular practice:

A quality of relaxation and efficiency in your movement.
A reduction in recurring aches and pains.
A reduction in your risk of injury.
An ability to breathe better.
A capacity to focus and concentrate better.
Improved posture and form.
An ability to recover much quicker from hard efforts.

My regular training takes a lot of my time, how do I fit yoga into my demanding schedule?
There are a variety of ways in which you can incorporate Yoga for Athletes into your training program. If your time permits, you can try to insert a weekly 75-minute group class into your schedule – after the competitive season. That seems to be the best time to start. Once you learn the basics, you can then set aside your own time and place. For instance you can spend 15-20 minutes every second day, or after a training session, to work on what you need. If necessary, ask the instructor to prepare a short sequence for you that you can easily put into practice at your convenience.

Will Yoga for Athletes have any negative impact on my training and performance?
There is no downside to taking on a regular practice of Yoga for Athletes, as long as it is approached in an intelligent manner. A smart approach for athletes is to combine the elements and principles of yoga in a way that supports health throughout the year and compliments performance during the competitive season.

One of the factors that TCA takes into consideration when designing Yoga for Athletes programs is where you are in your season or training phase. It’s a very important issue because your yoga program should compliment where you are and what you’re training for. It should never throw you out of balance, nor compromise your overall well-being.

Do I risk getting injured doing Yoga for Athletes?
TCA instructors always urge students to remain within their own personal limits and to avoid over-extending themselves. It’s wise to stay at 70% or less of your maximum. Over time, a gentle effort will produce favorable results. TCA instructors will also do everything possible to help you perform postures in a safe and effective manner. However, as soon as competitive mindset enters the scenario, it usually doesn’t contribute to a positive experience. It is best to remain focused on your own efforts and not on what other people are doing around you. As long as you respect these simple guidelines, you should not get hurt.

If I’m not an athlete, can I still do the classes and attend the workshops?
Certain classes are suited for particular athletes while others can accommodate everyone. The description of the course will generally provide a good indication of whether or not it might fit your needs. If you have any questions, please forward them to info@centeredathlete.com.

How do I know that the instructors are competent?
In addition to being athletes, or ex-athletes, all TCA instructors have been trained and certified in one or more styles of yoga. Furthermore, there are a series of conditions that must be met in order for a person to qualify as a TCA teacher. In addition to proper accreditation, a regular practice and an ongoing commitment to continuing education are essential for a TCA teacher.

Does TCA’s Yoga for Athletes include any spiritual practices?
Although there is an emphasis on breathing and concentration, we focus primarily on the physical components of yoga. Our instructors do not preach and tell you how to live your life. The focus is on helping you be the best athlete you can be and if that translates into your personal life, great! Our belief is that spirituality comes from within and we leave that up to you to discover along the way.