Why Yoga Takes Swimming to the Next Level

Courtesy of Gary Hall Sr., 10-time World Record Holder, 3-time Olympian, 1976 Olympic Games US Flagbearer and The Race Club co-founder.

The Race Club has been practicing yoga for swimmers during dryland training for years. Yoga can significantly increase core strength and flexibility while lengthening muscles, creating a more streamlined physique in swimming. In this intense 20 minute Vinyasa flow yoga practice, you will find yourself mimicking body rotation in freestyle and backstroke by stacking the shoulders, strengthening core muscles that will improve your ability to make faster turns and improve your breathing capabilities that will surely make you a stronger swimmer. We will do poses that open up the chest and shoulders creating a counter balance to the repetitive swimming motions in shoulder and back muscles that cause a hunched forward posture. Keep in mind that with all these poses, there are modifications that can be used and we recommend using a yoga block for support. Each swimmer has their own needs in the pool, in dryland training, mental training, nutrition and recovery.

Gary Hall, Sr., Technical Director and Head Coach of The Race Club (courtesy of TRC)

Richard Hall and The Race Club created this Yoga for Swimmers Shoulder sequence for you to follow along at home or practice with your team. So roll out your mat and get ready to sweat with elite athletes and Olympians; Rebecca Soni, Roland Schoeman, Junya Koga, Lexie Kelly and Zach Hayden led by Amy Hall from The Race Club. No matter your level or ability, we believe yoga for shoulders can benefit your swimming and general well being. Just like in the pool, we advocate correct technique over forced, and sloppy form. Remember to breathe with each movement, allowing oxygen to lengthen and strengthen your muscles. If at any time any exercise is too strenuous, rest in child’s pose.

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THE RACE CLUB

Life is Worth Swimming, our mission is to promote swimming through sport, lifelong enjoyment, and good health benefits. Our objective is for each member of and each participant in The Race Club to improve his or her swimming performances, health, and self-esteem through our educational programs, services and creativity. We strive to help each member of The Race Club overcome challenges and reach his or her individual life goals.

The Race Club provides facilities, coaching, training, technical instruction, video, fitness and health programs for swimmers of all ages and abilities. Race Club swim camps are designed and tailored to satisfy each swimmer’s needs, whether one is trying to reach the Olympic Games or simply improve one’s fitness. Our programs are suitable for beginner swimmers, pleasure swimmers, fitness swimmers, USA swimming or YMCA swimmers, or triathletes; anyone who wants to improve swimming skills. All of our Race Club members share an enjoyment of being in the water and use swimming to stimulate a more active mind and body.