|
As a yoga teacher, I see firsthand how life changing the
benefits of yoga are for my students. It’s commonplace for me to see people
who have been overweight, inflexible, and overstressed to have dramatic
benefits from their yoga practice on all levels of their being. As the
Indiana Yoga Association Mission statement reads, “Yoga practice effects
positive changes; physically, mentally and spiritually.”
As a teacher I also know that only 2% of my students are male, and even less
are what you would consider “athletic.” So when Philippe Choiniere began
taking my classes last year, I was intrigued that he would be attending as a
student in that “less than 2%” category. Already in peak physical condition
at 24 years old, 6’, 175 pounds, I knew that he could choose any number of
workout routines to improve himself. However, week in and week out, he came
to be one of my most dedicated Kundalini students, as well as a dedicated
student in Sally Brown’s Vinyasa classes and Carol Tharp-Perrin’s Ashtanga
classes in the Peace Through Yoga Program at Eagle Creek Park. Because of his
commitment, I wanted to know more about what he thought of his practice. I
thought Philippe’s words could be shared as a vehicle for encouraging more
men to take up yoga. When they could see how beneficial yoga practice is for
a professional athlete, they might consider it for themselves.
Philippe shared his insights with me over a phone call to his home in Quebec,
Canada where he lives an hour south of Montreal. He had recently signed with
the Trenton Titans, based in New Jersey, which is an ECHL (East Coast Hockey
League) team. His position is as a “Right Wing,” which requires him to be
fast, athletic and agile. Philippe was a right wing forward for the
Indianapolis Ice for the ‘03-04 season. The following is our conversation:
1.What styles of yoga do you practice?
I enjoy Ashtanga and Vinyasa because of the
structure and the consistency of the postures. I also like Kundalini because
it is unique and has a more internal effect. But oftentimes, I’ll go to a
class depending on what’s available that day. If I get a good stretch and a
good breathing session, I am happy.
2. How has yoga improved your body as an Ice Hockey
player?
Very simply, the fact that my body is well stretched. Before a game, I want
to stretch my whole body. So, I'll do downdog or pigeon to open my hips, or
updog to stretch my stomach. If I get hit in an awkward position, my muscle
will stretch, rather than snap. That’s just physics. I am more aware of
tension quicker and can avoid something becoming worse.
3. How has yoga helped you during a game?
On the ice, I am more aware of my surroundings. Where is the pressure coming
from? Is the guy pushing me from the left or from the right? If I get hit
from the right, I'll just roll with it as opposed to fight it.
And my breathing is much better. I’m doing more with much less effort. I can
skate up and down the ice with the same speed but with less effort. I’m just
using the muscles I need to use rather than tensing all my muscles. I
recognize tension much more.
|
Philippe Choiniere,
Right Wing Forward, Indianapolis Ice
I'm more focused and more
stable with my emotions. I'm not over-excited with my emotions. I've seen big
improvement with not being distracted by the crowd or the other team, or the
refs. I am more focused because of my breathing as opposed to being focused
on external things. Overall, it has improved my ability to relax so that I
can explode more on the ice because of the non-tensed muscles. It has helped
me feel the game better because I am more aware.
4. How has yoga helped you off the ice? Through yoga, through
breathing, and those hours spent in class just focusing on myself, it has
carried into my life. I’m more conscious of what I want. I’m better able to
make good decisions clearly, and I know what I don't want. Through breathing,
I am more of a feeler than a thinker. For example, just in sitting around the
house, thinking why am I tense? Does it really matter? If it’s outside of my
control, why am I worrying about it? Overall I feel more relaxed and peaceful
from day to day than before. I can recognize where the stress is coming from
through breathing. Don’t fight it; just let it be
-------------------------
Karla Becker is a student and teacher of Kundalini Yoga
in Indianapolis. She is a 200-hour
certified Hatha Yoga teacher as recognized by the Yoga Alliance and recently
completed a second 200-hour teacher certification in Kundalini Yoga with her
teacher, Gurmukh in Los Angeles.
Karla can be emailed from karlayoga.com or at
karlayoga@hotmail.com.
|