Rich Palazzese ’14: Many teams at EA incorporate offseason workouts into their regimen to prepare for the season. These workouts may include time in the weight room, on the track, in the field house, or on the field. The lacrosse team this year has taken different steps to preparing for the spring.
Coach Kevin O’Brien has incorporated yoga workouts as part of the Boys Lacrosse team’s preseason training on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30 A.M. The team works on strength and meditation for about 45 minutes. O’Brien, who also teaches at Hot Box Yoga in Manayunk, instructs the players in Vinyasa yoga, focusing on breathing, flexibility, and full body control and strength. O’Brien explained, “When most people hear yoga, they think stretching – and flexibility – or lack thereof. But really it’s a practice of awareness – of the breath, the body, and the mind.” He continued, talking about the advantages yoga offers for athletes, “For athletes, there are tremendous physical benefits in terms of balance, strength, and range of motion; thus, it prevents injuries while healing old ones, yet the meditative aspect fosters focus and reduces stress and anxiety. It truly gives athletes a mental edge.”
Co-Captain Raphael Furey ’14 elaborated on the impact that yoga has in the morning, saying, “Yoga has helped me out both mentally and physically, and has prepared me for that day of school and lacrosse.” Furey also appreciates the team camaraderie that the morning yoga sessions promote. Furey added, “[Yoga] also is a good way to come together as a team in the early morning. We all go through the same workout and all know we are working for each other.”
Yoga mornings have now become a culture for the lacrosse team for those who attend. Many of those who participate can attest to the benefits of the workouts. Co-Captain Brian Zappala ’14 stated, “[Yoga] makes me feel rejuvenated, balanced, and in touch with myself.” He continued, “It helps me find calmness when my life is pretty hectic.” John Flynn ’14 said, “Yoga helps clear my head and release some of the stress from school. It is a great way to start the day.”
Players who participate in yoga session also see a significant increase in lung capacity which can help players during big games. As O’Brien noted, “Often, in the fourth quarter, athletes will only use the top third of their lungs to breathe. This is where the euphemism ‘to choke’ comes from. Those athletes who don’t use their full lung capacity literally can’t get enough oxygen to their muscels and therefore can’t execute. They ‘choke.’”
Each session concludes with the participants saying, “Namaste” together which translates to, “The light in me respects and admires the light in you.” O’Brien thanks the team every morning for taking the time to join him and workout. The yoga instructor is happy that some of his students are enjoying the sessions as much as him. He stated, “It’s been a gift that I am compelled to share….I am happy to say we’ve had a dedicated group showing up at 6:30 AM on Tuesdays and Thursdays.”
“Anyone can do yoga if they have an open mind,” said O’Brien. He has opened up the sessions to the school as well, stating, “All students and faculty are welcome to join us in the morning.”