Yoga exercise and pool

macguy

macguy

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Anyone here do yoga? The pool room in my house is half for the pool table and half for exercise. I have my weights, tread mill, heavy bag and speed bag and so on. My wife has her mats, stretching bars and all her yoga stuff. She has been trying to get me interested in her yoga for years but the last 6 months I have been working out with her a little. I feel pretty good and it may also carry over into my pool playing. I feel more relaxed. Just wondering if anyone uses yoga specifically to maybe help their pool game? It probably can't hurt.

In the same respect anyone use any exercise regimens geared to their pool games. I used to be concerned about the weight lifting but I am not so sure it didn't help. I used to know a surgeon and he had a grip like steel. I think stronger muscles may be easier to control and more precise. This may account for some of the differences between men and women. Not wanting to open a can of worms, buy many of the good women players I have known were somewhat masculine.
 
Any exercise is good for you. I truly believe in the merits of Yoga.
I'm a 3rd degree Reiki practitioner, not related in any way nor an exercise. I use it to focus while playing. It can't hurt you to try. Your wife will be happy, tell her how much its helping your game, but you'll need to go to the pool hall more often in order to become one with Yoga.
 
macguy said:
Anyone here do yoga? The pool room in my house is half for the pool table and half for exercise. I have my weights, tread mill, heavy bag and speed bag and so on. My wife has her mats, stretching bars and all her yoga stuff. She has been trying to get me interested in her yoga for years but the last 6 months I have been working out with her a little. I feel pretty good and it may also carry over into my pool playing. I feel more relaxed. Just wondering if anyone uses yoga specifically to maybe help their pool game? It probably can't hurt.

In the same respect anyone use any exercise regimens geared to their pool games. I used to be concerned about the weight lifting but I am not so sure it didn't help. I used to know a surgeon and he had a grip like steel. I think stronger muscles may be easier to control and more precise. This may account for some of the differences between men and women. Not wanting to open a can of worms, buy many of the good women players I have known were somewhat masculine.
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I have tried a little Yoga off of store bought videos but didn't stick with it for whatever reason.

"Falcon Eddie" of AZ Billiards has a pool physical fitness video that has some yoga exercises in it or so it seems to me. After about three weeks, I am more flexible and stronger than I was. I've started some cardiovascular exercise and that seems to be helping my concentration as well. My pool game seems to be on the upswing after languishing for a while. We'll see. Tournament day is TODAY at High Noon. :smile:

In the video, Eddie mentions how each of the exercises affect our pool game. He's a physical fitness trainer and plays pool so, I'm sticking with it until something new and better comes along. lol
JoeyA
 
macguy said:
Anyone here do yoga? The pool room in my house is half for the pool table and half for exercise. I have my weights, tread mill, heavy bag and speed bag and so on. My wife has her mats, stretching bars and all her yoga stuff. She has been trying to get me interested in her yoga for years but the last 6 months I have been working out with her a little. I feel pretty good and it may also carry over into my pool playing. I feel more relaxed. Just wondering if anyone uses yoga specifically to maybe help their pool game? It probably can't hurt.

In the same respect anyone use any exercise regimens geared to their pool games. I used to be concerned about the weight lifting but I am not so sure it didn't help. I used to know a surgeon and he had a grip like steel. I think stronger muscles may be easier to control and more precise. This may account for some of the differences between men and women. Not wanting to open a can of worms, buy many of the good women players I have known were somewhat masculine.
Click to expand...

I think yoga is very good for it's intended purpose. I am of the opinion that my body is not meant to go into certain positions. Yes, with time you can become somewhat of a contortionist . This seems to be where I draw the line. Being supple enough to bend, squat, or reach seems to be all I need. I have attended yoga classes and all of them seem to want to compete with how much you can contort. It was meant for meditation and we have turned it into something else....I developed something called Combat Yoga...It's where you stand on someone else head and meditate...just kidding...I'm not disparaging this only to make one realize that your bio-mechanics are yours and yours alone and it's not a one size fits all.
 
yoga injuries & testosterone poisoning

Falcon Eddie said:
I think yoga is very good for it's intended purpose. I am of the opinion that my body is not meant to go into certain positions. Yes, with time you can become somewhat of a contortionist . This seems to be where I draw the line. Being supple enough to bend, squat, or reach seems to be all I need. I have attended yoga classes and all of them seem to want to compete with how much you can contort. It was meant for meditation and we have turned it into something else....I developed something called Combat Yoga...It's where you stand on someone else head and meditate...just kidding...I'm not disparaging this only to make one realize that your bio-mechanics are yours and yours alone and it's not a one size fits all.
Click to expand...

Pool players must leave their abundant testosterone at the door before approaching the yoga mat.

I had numerous yoga injuries attempting to work out with my wife, who also has a background in ballet.

She finally convinced me that competition with her was not only futile, but counter to the principles of yoga.

As we strain to assume some of those positions, our muscles tighten rather than relax.

Relaxing into these positions is the key.

I still rank below an arthritic rhino on the mat, but i'm free of yoga injuries.

Its great to incorporate meditation into the "mental game" as long as you don't snore during your pre-shot routine.
 
I have many bad habit's. I do find I have a clear mind if I stretch often. I also like to use the juice man juicer for some carrot juice. It helps off-set the drinking.lol. The object is to go into battle with a clear focus. I love this game.
 
berlowmj2 said:
Pool players must leave their abundant testosterone at the door before approaching the yoga mat.

I had numerous yoga injuries attempting to work out with my wife, who also has a background in ballet.

She finally convinced me that competition with her was not only futile, but counter to the principles of yoga.

As we strain to assume some of those positions, our muscles tighten rather than relax.

Relaxing into these positions is the key.

I still rank below an arthritic rhino on the mat, but i'm free of yoga injuries.

Its great to incorporate meditation into the "mental game" as long as you don't snore during your pre-shot routine.
Click to expand...

Mindful meditation, yoga and hypnosis do share some principles; namely, "staying in the moment" and the importance of the breath.
 
macguy

Try the P90X. You will get a little of everything. Bring it

Yoga helps in keeping you loose and flexible. It also develops your core. many of the poses take balance and strength. Great Stuff.

I read where the armed forces will start using yoga and pilates in boot camp replacing some of the out dated training.
 
JoeyA said:
I have tried a little Yoga off of store bought videos but didn't stick with it for whatever reason.

"Falcon Eddie" of AZ Billiards has a pool physical fitness video that has some yoga exercises in it or so it seems to me. After about three weeks, I am more flexible and stronger than I was. I've started some cardiovascular exercise and that seems to be helping my concentration as well. My pool game seems to be on the upswing after languishing for a while. We'll see. Tournament day is TODAY at High Noon. :smile:

In the video, Eddie mentions how each of the exercises affect our pool game. He's a physical fitness trainer and plays pool so, I'm sticking with it until something new and better comes along. lol
JoeyA
Click to expand...

Thanks for the plug Joey meant to ask you how it was going during the Mike Sigel match . I know these things work but like a writer once told me " in order to write you have to apply your seat to the chair". Good eating habits for brain power is a major plus...try Sardines in your salads. Good to hear your still training
 
macguy said:
Anyone here do yoga? The pool room in my house is half for the pool table and half for exercise. I have my weights, tread mill, heavy bag and speed bag and so on. My wife has her mats, stretching bars and all her yoga stuff. She has been trying to get me interested in her yoga for years but the last 6 months I have been working out with her a little. I feel pretty good and it may also carry over into my pool playing. I feel more relaxed. Just wondering if anyone uses yoga specifically to maybe help their pool game? It probably can't hurt.

In the same respect anyone use any exercise regimens geared to their pool games. I used to be concerned about the weight lifting but I am not so sure it didn't help. I used to know a surgeon and he had a grip like steel. I think stronger muscles may be easier to control and more precise. This may account for some of the differences between men and women. Not wanting to open a can of worms, buy many of the good women players I have known were somewhat masculine.
Click to expand...

In the past I've taken a few Yoga classes, and done some meditation. It will help your pool game for sure! It's all about keeping your mind steady (through breathing) while in an uncomfortable state. The physical benefits are a bonus - IMO.

So, training in the above manner will help you maintain steady (centered) while competing as well. Mind your breathing.

I have heard of NBA players increasing their free throw percentages significantly through Yoga training as well.

Aside from that, strengthening your core (yoga helps) and legs is the best strength training for long sessions of pool playing.
 
Do a search for Tanden breathing. It is actually the proper way to breathe.
Many disciplines use it or a variation.
I was told to breathe while stroking the ball and then to breathe out keeping still, before you pull the trigger.
I've never fired a pistol in my life but is this not how you do it before you squeeze the trigger?
I realize that in a combat situation that you don't have time for that but in pool you do.
 
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Yoga will improve all aspects of life, that's basically the point of it.

There are many different styles today and some of them are not as
beneficial as others. Yoga is powerful, so powerful that you can do
some serious damage if you're not careful.

I studied yoga for 10 years and I'm happy to field any specific questions you might have.

Here's the best way to get the most of your yoga practice.
Start every session with this breathing exercise.
Count the length of the breath (ie. in-1,2,3,4 out-1,2,3,4) and then try to add
the same count to the periods between inhale and exhale.
(ie. in-1,2,3,4, pause-1,2,3,4, out-1,2,3,4, pause-1,2,3,4, repeat)

Incorporate this breathing to your yoga sessions and add some daily amount
of yoga, the Sun Salutation is a very good, daily routine.

Yoga is the art of matching your breath to your movements, exhale=stretch inhale=relax.
Follow this and take it slow.
 
I remember hearing Mika Immonen saying that he does yoga and that it helps him during an interview. Sorry if this has been posted already.
 
I have heard that Gerda Hofstatter started doing yoga - and that was was a big win for her taking down that tournament on the WPBA.
 
Your body and your mind will be always your capital, even so in pool- so any sport or mental *work* will bring you a benefit.
 
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