Yoga for Sports Performance: A Guide for Yoga Therapists, Yoga Teachers and Bodyworkers – Jim Harrington

Description

ISBN: 9781848194069

Jessica Kingsley Publishers

336pp

This manual for yoga teachers and bodyworkers provides guidance for working with athletes of all disciplines. It teaches basic principles for application of techniques. Covering yoga background, biomechanics, postures, breathing and mental training, it creates a bridge between evidence-based modern sports medicine and ancient practices of yoga.

Many sports people are interested in trying yoga techniques in the hope of improved flexibility, strength, breathing and concentration, but many can be prevented from optimal results due to a lack of understanding on the part of yoga teachers of the specific physical requirements of their sport. This is a manual for professionals who work with athletes of all disciplines and shows them how to adapt yoga practice for swimmers, cyclists, runners, tennis players and more. This bridge between evidence-based modern sports medicine and the ancient practices of yoga, provides solid training guidance as well as offering psychological wisdom to help control and refine the actions of the mind. Essential reading for yoga therapists and teachers, athletic coaches and bodywork professionals who work with athletes.

Reviews

‘I loved the book and the insight into yoga and sport. Being a professional big wave surfer and yoga practitioner, what interests me the most is the breath work and training in yoga and how that can help with lung capacity and training for big wave surfing. The chapter on breathing and breath work was the most interesting to me and it has some great examples to work with. People often ask me about yoga and surfing and I am so glad that I can now recommend Jim’s book to them.’

— Frank Solomon, Professional Surfer and Yoga Practitioner

‘As a competitive age group triathlete, I always struggled with my running. Working with and learning from Jim was the best move I made – he taught me everything I didn’t know about breathing, form & posture to improve not only my running, but swimming & cycling as well. To this day I still do my cat/cow moves on longer bike rides amongst many other “tricks” Jim taught me.’

— Britt Hyland, Swim & Triathlon Coach, K8 Sport & Lifestyle Coaching

‘Jim translates his profound knowledge of yoga into its practical, easily digestible, and very relevant application for sport performance… the book will take you and your game on a wonderful journey.’

— Paddy Upton, Author, Coach and Speaker

‘It has been such a pleasure to read and now review ‘Yoga for Sports Performance: A Guide for Yoga Therapists and Bodyworkers’ by Jim Harrington. I have followed Jims work for some time now and so I can testify that he is not just a brilliant writer and an inspirational teacher but he is also an incredible person who speaks with the authority of personal teaching experience and the adventures of life over many decades. I really respect that Jim has taken the time to research everything he is sharing his book. Nearly all his work is backed by published evidence from modern medical scientific literature and/or old indian texts. As the title of Chapter 1 of his book suggests, this work is truly a place where East meets West. I would highly recommend this book to anyone teaching activities involving posture, movement, breathing and/or mental control.’

— Simon Borg-Olivier, MSc BAppSc (Physiotherapy) APAM C-IAYT, Course Coordinator/Lecturer, Masters of Wellness Degree RMIT University, Director, Yoga Synergy