Good Sports: Jacinta Aalsma

Yoga can help participants in numerous ways.

While not directly a sport, yoga is beginning to take its place in the sporting world as a tool for stretching and injury prevention. Jacinta Aalsma from Yoga Circle in Whangarei took a few moments to explain to the Northern Advocate a few aspects of yoga. Here's what Jacinta had to say ...

What are the physical benefits of doing something like yoga?

One of the well-known physical benefits of yoga is improved flexibility. During a yoga practice, you will create more range of motion in tight areas; including hamstrings, back, shoulders and hip. Other physical benefits are strength, muscle tone, balance and improved joint health. Yoga can also be a great way to prevent pain, especially back pain, a common complaint because we spend so much time sitting at a desk or driving a car. Yoga can also help to improve your posture thereby preventing pain and other ailments.

Do you get many sportspeople doing it for recovery purposes? What are the recovery benefits?

Slowly the benefits of yoga and sports is getting more acknowledged and known. Yoga can enhance your recovery - depending on the type of injury, at times rest is required first. Many sports are dominant to one side or one part of the body, yoga can help to restore balance and improve sleep, which can help with the recovery process. Many injuries are directly linked to lack of flexibility, poor core strength and misalignment.

Do Northlanders get into their yoga, is there a strong following?

More and more Northlanders are getting into yoga. And, at the same time, there are still many people who hold misconceptions about yoga and are not aware of the many benefits. Yoga is quite often considered as a religion, which is not the case. Yoga is for everybody. A yoga class will offer you a holistic workout and it does not matter what age, size or fitness level you are.

For someone who has never been to yoga before, what should they expect?

In general during a yoga class, you will practise some asana (postures), pranayama (breath exercises) and different relaxation techniques. You will be encouraged to have compassion and love for your body, so you don't force yourself into a certain pose if your body is not ready yet. It is best to wear comfortable clothes which allow you to move freely and to have an empty stomach when you start your yoga practice.

Are there different types of yoga, what are they?

There are many types of yoga and many different yoga teachers. I truly believe yoga is for everybody. It is a matter of finding the right type of yoga and teacher for you. So please don't be discouraged by one yoga class, you didn't enjoy, but try something else.

For more information, find Yoga Circle on Facebook or yogacircle.co.nz.