STRETCHING TOWARD GOLD

How Olympians Turn to Yoga to Benefit Their Minds and Bodies

- IAN CENTRONE

Olympic competitors represent the epitome of athletic perfection. They run faster, swim harder, jump higher, strike more swiftly, and wind more rotations into their dives and flips than seems humanly possible. They wake up at 3 a.m. to train—and they do it sore, injured, exhausted, and when they just plain don’t feel like it. Performing on the planet’s most coveted competitive stage is the result of years of unwavering dedication, superhuman discipline, and countless sacrifices. Olympians embody the pinnacle of their sport while simultaneously carrying the dreams of a nation.

As hard as this way of life is on their bodies, it’s just as demanding on their emotions, their egos, and their psyches. Earning the chance to vie for gold in the Olympic Games means training mind, body, and soul—and for many athletes, yoga is the bridge that connects all three.

It may seem strange to envision elite athletes rearing into Downward-Facing Dog Pose (Adho Mukha Svanasana) to prepare for Olympic greatness. But for many competitors, yoga is a vital piece of their performance puzzle—and to their transition to life after their quest for gold has ended.