Yoga for Sports Performance Why this ancient discipline has become the latest cross-training tool to enhance athletic performance and reduce the risk of injury.

The practice of yoga was first developed in India and has evolved over thousands of years. Yoga disciples use poses, or asanas, to prepare their bodies for meditation practice-much as an athlete would prepare for a sports competition. The poses also serve as a means to alter one's consciousness and mental focus in the spiritual quest for "enlightenment." In essence, yoga is designed to bring body, mind, and spirit into balance (Hollingshead 30). <Tab/&…

…Even though they had engaged in no physical activity related to their sport in the past week, the time they spent in meditation gave them the edge they needed (Witkowski 1). <Tab/>Yoga helps create not only physical balance, but the mental outlook needed to be successful in sports as well. In conclusion, Yoga is known to teach athletes respect for their bodies and not to push their bodies to the limit.