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Skiing is a high-adrenaline sport that demands a lot of dexterity, agility, control over different body movements and a high level of concentration. Without them, it would be difficult for an individual to ski and chances of sustaining injury would greatly increase. Yoga can be a perfect exercise to prepare oneself in these fields (as well as to psychologically and physiologically unwind after skiing).
In skiing (as well as in other sports) there is an imbalance in the development of lower and upper body. Since it is the underbody which is more often used in the sport of skiing the development of upper body is sacrificed. Superficially this imbalance may be of no importance. However, it means a lot for skiers as their ability to successfully maneuver through an obstacle course depends upon the overall balance of their body.
The impact borne by the body is chiefly absorbed by back muscles, gluteus and quadriceps. Hence, these muscles need to be strengthened to minimize the pressure exerted on the knee joints. These muscles, along with the hips are also important because they tend to help steer as well. Hence, it becomes important that these are strengthened with the help of yoga exercises. Following are a few asanas which you can perform to strengthen your lower body.
Yoga Poses for Skiers
Mountain Pose (Tadasana): Mountain pose is a very important pose for skiers as it would help them attain a more stable standing base for the whole body. An effective skier always needs to lower down the center of gravity in his body and this can be done by increasing the distance between feet to about shoulder length. Since this is an awkward pose for many it can be practiced with the help of Mountain pose.
Performing the Tadasana pose would help you relax your shoulders. This would allow you to bring them (and the body's center of gravity) further down, thereby improving agility and dexterity while negotiating turns.
Chair Pose (Utkatasana): This pose is perfect to improve the strength of knee joints. Since they act as suspension for the entire upper body, it is imperative that they be very strong. Also, they should be inline with the toes to increase the body's symmetry. All this can be achieved with the help of the Chair Pose.
Apart from the above mentioned poses, there are a host of other yoga poses which can be performed to increase the strength of back muscles and quadriceps. Skiers can practice any of them, depending upon their body's agility and level of comfort. These yoga poses include the following:
* Chandrasana (Elevated Crescent Yoga Pose)
* Garudasana (Eagle Yoga Pose)
* Marjariasana (Balancing Cat Pose)
* Purvottasana (Slide Yoga Pose)
* Setu Bandhasana (Bridge Pose)
* Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana (Standing Leg Extension Exit)
* Virabhadrasana (Warrior Balancing Yoga Pose)
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