Most fitness fanatics and serious sports people take time off or retire early due to injury. The average age for a footballer to retire from competitive games is just 31. But there is a way too not only prolong your career, but improve your play. Yoga helps to stretch and strengthen the muscles in a safe and extremely enjoyable way.
Ryan Giggs, premier league footballer, took time off in 2003 after suffering serious injury. Many people never expected to see him back on the pitch. But his career took an unusual turn when he came back fitter, and stronger than ever before.
He thanks yoga for helping him beat those persistent hamstring injuries. Aged 37, Giggs recently played his 800th match for Manchester United, meaning he has played more league matches than any other player in history. He said: “I definitely have yoga to thank for extending my playing days. It keeps me going by reducing injuries so that I can train every day. My body is stronger and more able to cope with the top level.”
But yoga offers more than just physical benefits, it also calms the mind and helps to positively channel energy. If yoga can help toughen up and calm down the Welsh hard-man, imagine what it could do for you. The Kilkenny School of Yoga offers a number of classes specifically for men, or sport and fitness fans. Toby Millie who teaches the men only sessions, and trains a number of sports groups in the city said: "People are continually amazed at how quickly yoga can help them recover from sport related injuries, as well as ease reoccurring aches and pains.
Regular classes could help you really excel at your chosen sport." And due to the huge response to the school's New Year, New You offer, they now have further reductions available for those wishing to do two or more classes per week, or those wishing to bring their sports group for strength and flexibility training. The 2011 timetable includes many men only classes and even more hot yoga classes.
Hot yoga is taught in a room heated to 40 degrees, during the workout the muscles warm up right to the core, meaning that you can stretch further and safer than ever before. People also burn up to 600 calories in an hour long session, making this an ideal class for weight loss, as well as fitness development. For further information or to book a class call the school on: 056 7756570.
