Sports such as basketball, football, baseball, cheerleading and dance are fun and challenging disciplines that encourage focus. But sports can also be brutal and unforgiving to young bodies. Because youth are resilient, they can often be unaware of the strain and stress the body endures during practices and games. After an intense practice or competition, young people may misinterpret signals of pain for signs of accomplishment. Reaching for pharmaceutical or even over-the-counter pain killers can mask the body’s innate intelligence or may contribute to development of dangerous side effects.
Regular yoga practice and Ayurvedic remedies (as described in the interview with David Crow) can encourage balance and be the ultimate cross-training for both sports and daily life. Check out the listing of yoga programs for young people in this issue of LA YOGA. What’s your favorite sport? And have you tried yoga as a cross-training activity? Let us know atedit@layogamagazine.com or log on to: www.yapwitus.com.
By Subhadra Bowman, YAP Staff
