So, You Call Yourself an Athlete?

So, you call yourself an athlete even though you don't compete? If you are not actively training? Or not part of a team? Older and not as skilled as you used to be? For many of us, being an athlete has always been a big part of who we are. To lose that identity just because we are aging out of our competitive phase of life seems like adding insult to injury. Not only are our bodies slowing down but now we have no idea who we are any longer either. The loss of confidence we found through our athlete identity can be a big blow to our sense of self.

I believe there is a way to be a lifelong athlete. I believe it is important for us to continue to enjoy the sports we have always loved, that have made up the fabric of our lives for so many years. But we may have to redefine how we play them. Maybe we throw pace out the window. Maybe we coach or mentor younger athletes. Maybe we chase our kids down the mountain now. Maybe we take more breaks. Maybe we play, as shocking of a concept as this is, just for fun.

But is this even an option for many of us who have bruised and bullied our bodies to play at such a competitive level for so many years? This is where yoga comes in. We may need to spend a little more time in active recovery these days. It is more important than ever to cultivate our balance and flexibility. Yoga flows designed specifically for athletes can bring exactly this into your training mix. By adding just one recovery flow per week or incorporating some yoga poses into your cooldown mix you can start to regain the range of movement needed to keep playing your sport for life.