Did you know that yoga can be an excellent compliment to skiing?
Speaking as a new skier this season, these asanas—or physical postures—have helped improve my flexibility and build both the balance and strength necessary to fly my way down the mountain injury-free!
- Reclined Bound Angle: deepens flexibility in your hip flexors (which leads to improved posture and flexibility in the lower back!)
- Downward-Facing Dog: lengthens and stretches the back, opens the chest, and builds both core stability and upper-body strength
- Standing Forward Fold: opens up the hamstrings, stretches the calves, and elongates the spine
- Chair: this is THE pose to build all-around skiing strength—it strengthens your quads, glutes, and core
- Warrior 1: stretches your hip flexors and hamstrings while strengthening your feet, ankles, glutes, and quads
- Low Crescent Lunge: deepens both hip flexor and calf flexibility
- Tree: improves balance; strengthens your quads, calves, ankles, and back; and increases mobility in your hip and knee joints—crucial for those ski turns!
- Seated Spinal Twist: stretches the outer thighs and improves both glute flexibility and spine mobility
Incorporate the following 8 poses into a flow or stretching session alongside your days on the mountain! Hold each posture for at least 5 full breaths. (Don’t forget to do both right and left sides of the unilateral poses!)
Need a visual on the poses? Check out my Instagram reel here:
Trying these out before your next spring ski session? Be sure to post your practice and tag me!