10 Easy Yoga Poses for Swimmers
Yoga is a great complementary activity for swimming, both before and after. In fact, a regular yoga practice might just change your life! But if you just want a few moves to keep you supple for when you dip in and out of the water then these postures will always stand you in good stead. Go easy if you have any known injuries or stiffness.
Yoga is a great complementary activity for swimming, both before and after. In fact, a regular yoga practice might just change your life! But if you just want a few moves to keep you supple for when you dip in and out of the water then these postures will always stand you in good stead. Go easy if you have any known injuries or stiffness.
1. BREATHWORK
Stabilise your entire nervous system with a few minutes of focused breathing. The world’s best free divers are big into slow, deep breathing to maintain calm in the water, so there’s no excuse on this one.
2. CAT-COW
A great way to start almost any yoga practice, moving from cat to cow will gently warm up your spine and get you ready for anything else to come. A pretty sweet move anytime of the day.
3. KNEES-TO-CHEST
Give your back a lovely massage before or after a swim with this simple, anytime yoga move that’s accessible for most and wonderfully soothing.
4. LOCUST
This one just looks like it was made for swimmers! Flip over onto your tummy to enjoy a beginner-friendly backbend that will help with strengthening the entire posterior chain.
5. SPHINX
Another great back-bending move for swimmers, and one that helps relieve any back strain, Sphinx pose also opens the chest and stretches the abdominals.
6. DOWNWARD DOG
One of yoga’s most iconic poses, and great for any walk of life (including swimming!), Downward Dog is perfect for hamstring flexibility, opening up your chest and back, lengthening the spine, and engaging the shoulders.
7. WARRIOR II
Power up your practice with Warrior 2, another iconic move that will build vital strength in your legs, hips, knees and ankles ahead of your swim. Great for confidence too!
8. BUTTERFLY
Another yoga asana that seems as though it was created for swimmers, Butterfly is a foundational posture that fosters relaxation at the same time as stretching the inner thighs and groin area.
9. CHILD’S POSE
Surrender to serenity with this restorative pose that will gently keep you stretched out on the mat and have your whole being saying ‘thank you very much’.
10. SAVASANA
No yoga practice is complete without Savasana, a pure and blissful conclusion to any workout, whether on the mat or in the sea.
Om Magazine
First published in November 2009, OM Yoga magazine has become the most popular yoga title in the UK. Available from all major supermarkets, independents and newsstands across the UK. Also available on all digital platforms.
