Why Skiers Need Some Yoga

Are you waiting for the snow to fall? Have you prepared your body for your first day out? Like many other athletes, skiers perform better and with fewer injuries with a balanced yoga practice. Here we outline seven reasons you should start or continue with a yoga practice, or join Jackie Buratovich for her upcoming Yoga for Skiers Workshop (November 2).

* You start the season feeling weak and unbalanced

* You want to progress in your skills faster

* You want to feel more balanced and powerful on your skis

* You are looking for movements you can do at home to prepare for the season that are fun and result in greater strength and agility

* You want some ideas on how to prepare yourself to have the most fun early in the season

* You want to learn ways to stretch safely after a day on the slopes or trails, or rehab an injury

* Increasing your strength and balance in a supportive fun environment with other skiers.

Mindful Meditation Practice: So Hum

So Hum is a meditation that harnesses not only the power of breath but also mantra (repetition of sound or words) to help quiet the mind and relax the body. 

1. Find a comfortable place to sit or lay down. 

2. Close down your eyes (if this feels safe), and take a few moments to connect with your breath. Feel the rise and fall of the inhale and exhale. 

3. Then, take a deep inhale through the nose and silently repeat the word SO. 

4. As you exhale through the nose silently repeat the word HUM. 

5. Without controlling the breath, continue to repeat the word so with each inhale and the word hum with every exhale. If your attention begins to wander to thoughts, sensations, or noises in the external environment gently return to your breath and the mantra. Silently repeating so hum. 

6. When you have finished, release the mantra (so hum) and take a few deep inhales through the nose allowing the exhale to release out the mouth. Connect to the sensations in your body, and feel the sense of peace and calm that you can continue to carry with you and reconnect with throughout your day. 

This practice can be engaged for as little or as long as you would like. It s a great method to employ throughout the day whenever you may need a moment to settle, ground and return your awareness to the present moment. 

—Contributed from Empower Shakti International