Yoga for Snowboarders

After an amazing long weekend of snowboarding in Quebec, I knew after my first day on the slopes that my body wasn’t going to forgive me if I didn’t take the time to stretch before hitting the après scene. Quads, hamstrings, shines, calves, and arches were all killing! – The first ride of the season is always so much fun! So here are a few of the stretches I did to relieve my sore muscles and get me ready for another great day on the slopes.

Standing Back Bend

Directions: Standing in mountain pose with big toes together and heels slightly apart, place hands on the lower back and gently arch the spin opening through the chest looking up.

Benefits:

Stretches shoulders and chest

Chair Pose

Directions: Stand with the bases of your big toes touching, heels slightly apart. Inhale and raise your arms perpendicular to the floor with palms together or keep the arms parallel to the floor. Exhale and bend your knees, bringing the thighs as parallel to the floor as possible. Hold for 30seconds to 1 minute.

Benefits:

Strengthens the ankles, thighs, calves, and spine
Stretches shoulders and chest
Stimulates the abdominal organs, diaphragm, and heart

Big Toe Pose

From standing position with feet six inches apart, exhale and fold forward. Bend knees slightly if pressure is felt on the lower back. Head should hang heavily from the upper spine. Slide the index and middle fingers of each hand between and around the big and second toes gripping the big toes firmly. Press your toes down against your fingers. Bend your elbows out to the sides, pull up on your toes, lengthen the front and sides of your torso, and gently lower into the forward bend. Hold for 5 to 10 breaths.

Benefits:

Calms the brain and helps relieve stress, anxiety and mild
Stimulates the liver and kidneys
Stretches the hamstrings and calves
Strengthens the thighs

Garland Pose

Squat with your feet as close together as possible. Separate your thighs slightly wider than your torso and lean your torso forward fitting between your thighs. Press your elbows against your inner knees, bringing your palms to together in prayer. Hold the position for 5 to 8 breaths, then inhale, straighten the knees, and stand.

Benefits:

Stretches the ankles, groins and back torso

Downward Facing Dog

Directions: From Garland Pose, exhale placing both hands on the floor and step back lifting the seat towards the sky. Spread hands and feet as they are pressed onto the floor. Focus is on lengthening the upper body. Legs should be straight, but may be bent as needed. Hold for 5 to 8 breaths.

Benefits:

Calms the brain and helps relieve stress and mild depression
Energizes the body
Stretches the shoulders, hamstrings, calves, arches, and hands
Strengthens the arms and legs

Low Lunge

Directions: Beginning in Downward-Facing Dog pose, inhale and step your right foot between your hands into a lunge. Lower your back knee onto the floor, placing the top of your foot against the ground. Bring your hands to your right knee while sinking your hips toward the floor. Hold for 5 to 10 breaths, and then repeat on the other side.

Benefits:

Stretches the hip flexors, and hamstrings
Strengthens the legs

Pigeon

pigeon Directions: From Low Lunge, bring the right leg forward in front of the body with the right knee bent and the foot flexed. Extend the left leg behind the body with the left toes on the floor. To extend the pose, place the left hand or the left forearm on the floor. Hold for 5 to 10 breaths, and then repeat on the other side.

Benefits:

Stretches the thighs, groins and psoas, abdomen, chest and shoulders, and neck
Opens the shoulders and chest

Kneel with Toe Stretch (knees on floor)

Directions: Kneeling with the toes tucked under bring the seat back towards the heels sitting the body back and opening through the chest.

Benefits:

Stretches thighs, knees, ankles, and arches

Kneel with Shin Stretch

Directions: Kneeling on the floor, sit back on your heels lifting your upper body slightly, and flattening your feet on the floor. Slowly sit back on your heels. Hold for 5 to 8 breaths.

Benefits:

Stretches thighs, knees, ankles, and shins

Bound Angle Pose

Directions: Sit on the floor, or with your pelvis on a blanket, bending your knees, pulling your heels toward your pelvis. Drop your knees out to the sides and press the soles of your feet together, bringing your heels as close to your pelvis as possible. Always keep the outer edges of the feet firmly on the floor. If the arches of your feet are sore, massage them with your hands or grab the big tie of each foot with the first and second finger and thumb. Stay in this pose for 1 to 5 minutes.

Benefits:

Stimulates the heart and improves general circulation
Stretches the inner thighs, groins, and knees

Legs up the Wall (modified)

Directions: Sit sideways to the wall (or chair) with your right hip touching the wall. Exhale and, with one smooth movement, swing your legs up onto the wall and your shoulders and head lightly down onto the floor. Keep your legs relatively firm, just enough to hold them vertically in place. Stay in this pose anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes. To ext the posture, carefully roll onto your side or use your legs to push yourself away from the way. Stay on your side for a few 5 to 10 minutes, and come up to sitting position with an exhalation.