Is yoga good for hockey players?

Over time, with safe and steady practice, yoga can help an elite athlete develop healthy alignment and balance, improved stability and increased resilience. That translates into better performance, fewer wear and tear injuries and faster rehab when injuries do occur in the rough and tumble world of the NHL.

Do NHL goalies do yoga?

Former NHL goaltender Ray Emery said he used yoga and Pilates during his recovery from a career-threatening hip injury. And Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers has talked about using yoga early in his NHL career, saying it helped for flexibility and being able to relax.

Do hockey players do Pilates?

“Pilates is now being used by professional hockey players, Olympic athletes, and extreme sports fanatics because it helps increase joint stability and strengthens the deep core muscles which in turn prevents injuries and leads to improved athletic performance,” adds Moira.

Is yoga good for hockey goalies?

Yoga is one of the most effective ways for a hockey goalie to take care of their body off the ice. Plenty of NHL goalies are using yoga as an integral part of their off season (and in season) training!

How flexible are NHL goalies?

“I don’t stretch that much,” Lundqvist said, sheepishly. But goalies tend to stretch more than any other player. It is an idiosyncratic, necessary and constant part of playing the position. They contort their bodies like Gumby and fold themselves like pretzels so they can make an acrobatic save at a moment’s notice.

Why do hockey players have tight hips?

Hip tightness is a common complaint from hockey players, caused by the repetitive pattern of skating and a lot of time spent in a hip flexed position. Upper back tightness is also common problem, building up from forward leaning and rounded postures on the ice.

What are the most important muscles in hockey?

The most important muscles for us in hockey are the calves, quadriceps, hamstrings and glutes; all muscles of the legs. The quads are important because we are constantly bending during a hockey match.

Can goalies do the splits?

Just like getting that wide butterfly flare, not every goalie is born with the hip structure to allow for the splits. Once again the shape of the ball and socket may not allow for such range of motion without impingement.

Do you need to be flexible to be a hockey goalie?

What causes hockey butt?

Kim really is a great example of anterior pelvic tilt – this is the postural tendency to ‘stick your butt out the back’ hockey players who are tight in the front of their hips do this a lot – I explained it all in this post and video HERE – the tightness in your hip flexors pulls your pelvis forward.