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Rackham begins each Yin Yoga-style workout with the Dharma Yoga Wheel, which was invented by international teacher Yogi Varuna, along with another teacher,NFL Jerseys 2018, Raquel Vamos.
Other players practicing yoga regularly include All-Pro defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh,Jerseys NFL China, now with the Dolphins; Titans linebacker Brian Orakpo; Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart; and Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph.
"We do some flow sequences, some yoga poses. Depends on how a guy feels that day, depends on how practices have gone."
The DYW, which costs around $100, was designed to improve back flexibility; make back bends easier; align the spine; relax muscles; stretch the quads; improve balance; and deepen breath — whether for novices or advanced yoga practitioners.
Woodyard calls the wheel "my new best friend,NFL Jerseys China."
NEW YORK (AP) — Titans veteran Wesley Woodyard believes every linebacker could benefit from some yoga.
"When you play linebacker and your job is to do nothing but tackle, you tend to have a few misaligned bones in your back and rib area. Which can cause back pain," the eight-year veteran says. "The DYW allows me to open up my back and heart area."
Rackham also emphasizes the mental aspect of yoga for her clients — and its ability to heal emotionally and psychologically.
"Traditional class starts with breathing and warmup," she says. "But I let them roll out the wheel; they usually are coming off a hard practice,Wholesale Jerseys, so it will relax the body, help them feel mellow and calm. Then we go into breathing; I stress breathing with the guys,Nike NFL Jerseys China, it helps them on the field and to remain calm in a stressful situation.
"I tell everybody: These guys' lives are completely different from our lives, we don't know what it is like to live their lives day by day. They walk in to our sessions with the stress of it; I can see it on their faces at any session, the tiredness.
Hamstring problems have plagued dozens of players throughout the league during the preseason and Adams notes that the stretching is particularly helpful for his hamstrings and hips. His workout regimen includes night sessions three times a week with the wheel, rolling it on his back and legs.
Woodyard is one of several players who are using yoga to help them physically and mentally prepare for and deal with the violent collisions of pro football.
Rackham, who owns Brazil Yoga, has 13 NFL players among the 17 athletes she trains privately. Defensive back Adam Jones of the Bengals was her first NFL client — she had no intention of working with athletes at the outset. Jones began recommending her to other athletes, and within six months she had more business than the time to work with the clients.
"But by the time they breathe and do a little bit of yoga, there is something that disappears, and a calm that comes off of them. The mental wellness of yoga is by far the biggest part for an athlete. It gives a Zen calmness their sport doesn't teach them."
Asked how the wheel most particularly aids him,wholesale jerseys, Adams responds: "It specifically helped with the arch in my back and when rolling out on the wheel."
Other students include Adams' Indianapolis teammate, linebacker D'Qwell Jackson. Rackham often travels to her client's city and spends three to four days there conducting private yoga sessions.
That doesn't quite seem to jibe considering one of the tenets of the game is to be ultra-aggressive, never backing down.
"I wasn't familiar with the DYW until my yoga teacher, Carmella Rackham, introduced me to it," Adams says. "DYW is effective because of the different stretch methods that could be utilized during yoga, and (for) balances when just using the wheel."
Yet yoga, including recently frequent use of the Dharma Yoga Wheel (DYW), has made impressive inroads in the NFL.
"Yoga has played a big part in my life and career, because it works my mind and body," says Colts safety Mike Adams, who at 34 heads into his 12th pro season. "I would definitely recommend and already have done so to the younger guys on my team." |
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