Women Fitness:
What are the benefits of yoga for athletes?
Sage Rountree:
Strength, flexibility, focus, and balance. Yoga offers balance of the body in space; balance within the body; and balance between work and rest, all of which are key to athletic performance and recovery. And it builds mental focus and presence, skills that lead to peak performance in sports and in life.
Women Fitness:
You also take part in races from the 400 meter to ultramarathons and in triathlons from the super sprint to the Ironman. What is the role of running in your life?
Sage Rountree:
Running is my moving meditation, my social time and my alone time, my screen-free time, my outside time, and my main source of both stress release and self-improvement. I love it so much!
Women Fitness:
How are you able to integrate yoga and endurance exercise for your students?
Sage Rountree:
The yoga poses I teach develop balance in the body by targeting skills and muscle groups that can be neglected in endurance sports, and the breath awareness and mental focus and presence athletes develop in class are directly beneficial in their workouts and races. It’s not athletic yoga; instead, I presume athletes are getting their workouts in their training and come to yoga to work in: to find connection, balance, and rest.
Women Fitness:
Lastly, why should anyone join these programs?
Sage Rountree:
The weekend, Yoga for Athletes: Balance, Strength, Flexibility, and Focus, is for athletes of any sport and level of experience with yoga. You don’t have to identify as an athlete to enjoy the weekend, as it focuses on balance in the body and is useful for anyone who uses their body in a specialized way—like sitting in a chair at a desk for much of the day. The poses are simple, accessible, and fun, and students will go home with a clear idea of how to use yoga to complement whatever it is they do with their bodies each day.
The five-day intensive, Teaching Yoga to Athletes, is for yoga and movement teachers, coaches, personal and athletic trainers, and physical therapists. It focuses on yogic philosophy; the physiology and psychology of the athlete in a yoga class; concrete teaching tools; and building a career in the field. I love teaching this program—it’s always a great collegial group of peers, and we have a blast.
Finally, 1440 Multiversity is so special. The brand-new campus is first rate, from program rooms to lodging to food, and the setting is unparalleled—especially for those of us who like to spend time outside. I’m eager to run in the redwoods. Join me!
Disclaimer
The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
