If you’re lucky, you could pop to the Sauna, if you’re even luckier, you’re in Japan, perhaps in Myoko Kogen, where I teach yoga and you can have a natural hot spring bath/ onsen.
Aaaah, you breathe out soothingly, as your muscles are tenderly warmed up in those natural minerals and that hot water.
If you’re not in luck, you have no access to a sauna or an onsen.
Well that’s fine, I’ve made a yoga video just for you!
7 yoga poses for stiff skiers, it is actually one of those videos that you can follow if you’re a complete beginner. It won’t be necessary for you to be able to touch your toes or do a handstand.
You will need a mat, although that isn’t 100% necessary, just makes for a nice soft place to put your wonderful body.
You will also need a wall. This will be necessary for the yoga sequence.
These 7 yoga poses, are specifically made with skiers in mind, it will help with your balance. It will help with re-aligning those hips, which would have moved a lot while skiing. You’ll also gain a little bit of a soothing lower back stretch. Plus you’ll be able to stretch out those sore thighs.
You can do this one after a day on the slopes.
As this sequence is for beginners, I must forewarn you, that you do the poses how you feel good in them. There’s no need to push yourself too hard and just do what you can/
Like skiing itself, your yoga practive will only improve in both your physical body and calm your mind, if you’re practicing again and again.
List of the 7 yoga poses to soothe your sore body after skiing:
Great pose for a whole body stretch.
Directions:
Press your toes into the ground, feeling your thighs, tuck your tailbone in (butt), feeling your stomach, shoulders down, arms by your side and looking forward.
Hold for x5 breaths
Get a great side body stretch.
Direction:
Staying in Tadasana, previous pose. Breathing in, hold up your arms over your head, place your left hand over your right wrist, pulling upwards with your hands. Bend to the right.
Repeat on the Left side.
Hold for x5 breaths.
Realign your hips and stretch the whole body.
Directions:
Standing again in Tadasana (Pose 1). Place your block (towel or cushion) in between your thighs. Squeeze the block in the middle of your thigh inwards.
Hold for x5 breaths.
Open your shoulders and get a front body stretch.
Directions:
Back in Tadasana (Pose 1), clasp your hands behind your back, open your shoulders and bring your head back.
Hold for x5 breaths.
Stretch out your quad.
Directions:
Place your right hand on the wall, for balance. Lift your left leg up, place your hand over your foot and press it in towards your bum. It doesn’t matter how far you can stretch, as long as you feel it in your thigh.
Repeat on your Right side.
Hold for x5 breaths.
Stretch your lower back and hips.
Directions:
A great stretch for your lower back and hip joint.
Lay on your back. Facing up. Bring your right foot, above the left knee and press your right foot into the wall. Place both hands underneath your left thigh.
Press your left thigh in towards your chest.
Repeat on your left leg.
Hold for x5 breaths.
Yummy backstretch accessible to all!
Directions:
Place both your hands on the wall, slowly step backwards, until your hands are almost at about a little higher than your hips.
Hold for x5 breaths.
Want to ride / ski better, for longer? Get access to free yoga sequences, to help you, warm up and relax before an amazing day on the mountain.
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