Every athlete you know has probably complained to you at some point about his or her joint or muscle pains. I mean, who could blame them? They are ALWAYS running. Taking ice baths and using a foam roller don’t always do the trick. So I’m here to tell you about the newest fad in athlete muscle restoration -- yoga. The ooh’s and the aah’s might be awkward at first. But trust me, it is all worth it in the end, and here’s why!

1. Strength

Now I know athletes all think they’re already strong enough and only need to bulk up in order to perform well in their area of expertise, but yoga can present you with a different kind of strength. Yoga works not just your core, but your legs and your arms as well. You might as well be getting a full body workout in half the time. Not to mention a yelling and judgment-free time, too.

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2. Flexibility

Every athlete can benefit from flexibility. More men than women find this the hardest area to work on. By simply going to one yoga class a week, you can become more flexible. With this new flexibility tool, you’ll be surprised by how much further you can kick a ball, or how much further you can reach out to catch one.

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3. Range of motion

Similar to flexibility, an athlete’s range of motion is very important. This is what allows you to do the things you’re doing like catching, kicking or throwing. And these movements are what allow an athlete to create muscle memory and become even better at his or her sport. The flowing movements of yoga increase one’s range of motion, which will most definitely benefit an athlete on and off the field.

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4. Better sleep and focus

The soft music, down time, quiet period and stretching within a yoga class helps one to relax more, and thus helps you to sleep better. When you sleep better, even for less time, your body will feel stronger. This can give you a better attitude and a stronger mental state, which are both key when playing a sport.

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5. Less stress

Again, the relaxing aesthetic of a yoga class can lead to a reduction in stress. Giving a small period of time to oneself to stretch and pay attention to physical needs helps one to stress less. This is especially helpful to student athletes who have a lot on their plates.

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6. Injury prevention

Last but definitely not least is yoga’s ability to prevent injury. All of the things mentioned above, such as an increase in range of motion, flexibility and strength, help to make an athlete better. And when the body is better in all these aspects, it has an easier time adapting to the harsh conditions athletes are often put through.

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So, if you ever want to help a fellow athlete, friend or yourself out, pick up some yoga classes -- I guarantee you’ll be back for more.