Yoga for Athletes… and Me Too

7 Dec, 2011 By: Angelique Flores

I acknowledge that I’m no athlete. However, I do like rigorous, plyometric workouts with weight training. And in between those types of workouts, I’ve recently started doing yoga.

And Gwen Lawrence’s Fit Body Yoga from Gaiam is just the workout I’ve been looking for. The disc has three 20-minute yoga segments that are a combination of yoga and strength training (think Jillian Michaels’ Yoga Meltdown), as well as the unique aspect of preventative injury stretches. For more details on the DVD, see my review.

This distinctively designed yoga workout is a perfect match for me to keep from injuring myself during my other non-yoga workouts, which is an increasing concern for me as I hear and feel cracks, pops and stiffness I never before felt in my body.

Admittedly, I’m still a yoga newbie. So, I found Gwen’s poses challenging, and some totally new to me, despite having watched numerous yoga DVDs over the years. I also found these new moves quite refreshing because I get tired of doing the same sun salutations and warrior poses over and over again.

I also liked that Lawrence is not your usual meditative Zen yogi. She doesn’t talk in the slow, quiet manner most yoga instructors do, which personally I can find annoying sometimes. She talks as if she’s just one of your girl friends in your living room instructing you. For someone like me, who took forever to warm up to yoga, this is my kind of practice.

It’s important to note Lawrence’s roster of clients includes the New York Giants, New York Knicks, New York Rangers and Alex Rodriguez. If those professional athletes trust her, surely I can too. And so far, my body is feeling great for it.

Yoga for Athletes… and Me Too

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About the Author: Angelique Flores