The warm up, Yoga for snowboarding, The pre season series

Join along for a quick warm up that you can fit in your day, to get your body ready for the winter ahead. This is part of the Yoga for snowboarding series, where I’ll take you through a series of sequences that you can use to get yourself ready for the the mountains for the season ahead.

You’re welcome to also practice together during the winter, it’s better for you to fit in some movement before you head out into that cold crisp air and head out to ride for first lifts on, I hope for you a powder day. 

Why warm up?

I notice the difference when I’ve rushed out to get to the chairlifts to when I’ve taken even a few minutes to warm up before getting those snowboard boots on. 

It helps you to warm up the body for the day ahead, while also warming up means that you’ll be more ready for the many moves and bumps that a day snowboarding can bring. 

An added bonus of yoga, is that it will help you to feel more self awareness. 

As each pose won’t be your favourite, some will be more challenging than others. The practice of yoga seems only physical from an outside perspective. 

I find that this discomfort in the practice, or perhaps you’re not paying attention to the words being say to queue each yoga pose.

These are sensations which bring you out of your busy mind, into your body and into the present moment. 

Important also while you’re riding, whether that’s on the piste / terrain, or in the park or in trees in the backcountry. 

You’ll need to be aware of how you’re moving and the space around you to keep riding and to be safe, get home at the end of the day without injuries. 

I also find that finding the time to take even just three slow breaths in this practice, can also help you take a deep breath if you’re somewhere a little dangerous or scary. At the end of the day, snowboarding is considered an extreme sport, even if you’re not a pro at the sport, you know that there are risks involved. 

I hope that you enjoy this practice, if you have any comments or suggestions, or even constructive criticism (I promise I won’t cry if you tell me). Feel free to comment or get in touch. 

Hope that you have a wonderful winter ahead. 

Arigato gozaimasu, from Myoko, Japan.