Another excellent yoga move that can benefit tennis players made a cameo appearance during Season 2 of the Netflix docuseries “Break Point” which was released earlier this year. The storyline of Episode 5 revolves around Maria Sakkari and Jessica Pegula’s efforts to break through psychological barriers to win tournaments. Tennis requires a unique combination of mental relaxation coupled with self-confidence. It is deceptively difficult to achieve the optimum mental state necessary to play the sport well.
In yet another “blink and you might miss it” moment, Maria Sakkari is briefly shown performing a variation of “Child’s Pose.” This yoga move was the culmination of a montage describing how she is working on becoming calmer on the court. It was the visually perfect ending to that scene.
Child’s Pose is a foundational yoga element that promotes relaxation, stretching, and gentle release of tension in the body. Given the intensity of Sakkari’s on-court persona, this pose is good for developing the capacity to mentally reset. It also stretches her lower back, hips, and shoulders as an additional benefit.
Child’s pose is performed by kneeling on a mat, sitting back on the heels, and extending the arms forward while lowering the forehead to the ground. As a variation of this move, Sakkari is shown pulling her arms back under her body. The pose stretches the lower back, hips, thighs, and shoulders while encouraging deep, restorative breathing. It’s often used as a resting pose during yoga to calm the mind and body.
This yoga move is beneficial for tennis players because it helps stretch key areas that endure strain during play. Child’s pose also improves flexibility, relieves tension from repetitive movements, and promotes recovery after intense matches or training. Additionally, the pose encourages deep, mindful breathing, helping players mentally reset and stay focused. It is an ideal part of a tennis player’s recovery and relaxation routine.
This is also a great time to reiterate my love for my new yoga mat, which I recently treated myself to after realizing that the cheap mat I was previously using simply wasn’t cutting it anymore. I am absolutely delighted with the JadeYoga Harmony Mat. It is a step up in durability and cushioning, and the surface has a lot more grip, which provides stability and is resistant to sliding and wrinkling. I am ridiculously happy with this upgrade. (The purple color is a bonus for me, but it comes in many other great shades.)
JadeYoga Harmony Yoga Mat (<- Sponsored Link)
Child’s pose can make a noticeable difference in flexibility, mobility, and injury prevention. This simple yet effective yoga technique can improve the range of motion and reduce muscle tightness. As a benefit, it can also help develop a better mental state, which is also great for tennis players. Whether you are new to tennis or a seasoned player, this stretch is easy to incorporate into any routine and can enhance your game.
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