Tennis requires a lot of quick moving and stopping, arm-swinging and body-twisting on the court, all while demanding mental focus and clarity. Tennis is also a one-sided sport, where a player’s dominant side develops faster and stronger than the other. This imbalance can eventually lead to muscular misalignment resulting in pain in the hips, legs and knees, shoulders and back, and even the neck.
These yoga poses are the best for us tennis players as they help increase our mobility, muscular balance and balance through our shoulders, hips, and spine. And this will help keep us feeling and playing better on the courts!
Cat/Cow Pose
The Cat/Cow Pose is made up of two movements which flow together and gently stretches the spine and strengthens the abdominal muscles. To do this pose, get down on your hands and knees with your knees/shins and arms shoulder-width apart, and fingers pointing forward. Then:
- inhale slowly while lifting your head and looking up at the ceiling and arching your back, widening your shoulders as you press your stomach toward the floor.
- exhale slowly while lowering your head as you pull your stomach into your spine, and round your back toward the ceiling like a cat.
Do 6 – 8 slow reps.
