Genres of Yoga That Fuel The Dharma of Tennis

Hatha, Vinyasa, Kundalini

In Hatha yoga, the practitioner (yogi) stretches into various poses and holds each for a period of time. It is considered gentle yoga and is most suitable for beginners. Letting go – something I call “succumbing to gravity” – is a critical component of Hatha yoga. Letting go involves allowing your body to achieve – and hold – a certain posture as opposed to making your body perform it. It is the difference between “gentling” into a move while “listening” to one’s body or forcing oneself into over-extension – a common beginner’s error and a sure way to secure an injury. Force and yoga are not compatible and do not belong in the same space. Hatha practice is a good way to gain comfort with yoga before attempting the more challenging forms.

In Vinyasa yoga, the yogi is led through sequences of breath-synchronized poses. It is also known as flow yoga because the poses flow continually from one to the next – rather than being held – as in Hatha. It is considered a more challenging practice. “Salutation to the Sun” – a series of ten successive moves of bodily extensions and contractions – is a cornerstone of Vinyasa.

Kundalini yoga, with an emphasis on stilling the mind, is more stationary than the other two styles and focuses primarily on the mind-body-spirit connection. It typically employs meditation, chanting, body locks (muscle holds), mudras (hand positions) and mantras (repeated phrases) in the practice.

The mind-body-breath connection is central to the successful practice of all three styles of yoga. The savvy yogi finds the same to be true in the game of tennis.

My yoga practice and instruction are a combination of these three styles and have produced the core outcomes that follow – all of which I cherish for the mental and physical balance they offer, but also for the power to enhance my overall tennis experience enormously. These outcomes are: focus, breath, presence, enjoyment, synchrony and Namaste. Stated in actionable terms, they are:

Be there. Breathe. Begin anew. Enjoy. Entrain. Let go (Namaste).

I encourage you to visit again next week for practical applications of these yoga principals to your tennis game. At that time we will go into the principal "be there" in depth.

Or, if you simply can't wait,  you may download the entire 4300 word pamphlet by clicking  http://www.amazon.com/The-Dharma-Tennis-Judi-Beck-ebook/dp/B00E0QFLA4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1386680883&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Dharma+of+Tennis. It is a whopping $1.69.

Have a great weekend.