Yoga Can Save Your Life w/ Scott Kemp

We’ve all heard of yoga and I’m sure most of you reading this have taken a class or two. The stereotype for yoga is generally women following the practice of stretching, posses, vegan eating, free spirits, one with earth and yada yada.. But look, I’m here to tell you that yoga can save your life on the playing field! Now I’m not one to follow the whole outside yoga culture and principles. If you do great, if not, who cares! The big picture here is what the actual yoga class does for you and how it will make YOU a better paintball player!  As of the middle of this 2015 season I started taking yoga 1-2xs a week. Why? Because with all my training and traveling I felt very tight some days, even with all the foam rolling and stretching I do. If I was to tell myself I’m going to stretch for 1 whole hour 2xs a week I’d by lying If I said I would follow through with it on my own. Yoga helps me to commit to that in a class where it’s fun and flies by! In a yoga class you’re basically going through numerous full body stretches and holding them for about an hour-long class. Some classes are heated to help your body be even more limber and warmed up. Not to mention an instructor who’s guiding the class and fixing individuals form throughout the lesson.

In paintball you need to be flexible. It’s a must! In tight situations if you can’t get low and small, it means the difference of living or dying. Your knees, hip flexors, back, ankles! They all play such a vital role! Not only in the breakdown of a game when you need to get tight but also running to your spot off the break or insert. Getting low as you run is a huge advantage.

So here is my advice. Take yoga! Start now in the off-season! Count each session as a cardio session if you may. Take it 1x a week and work your way up to 2xs per week. If your current gym offers classes great! It not look around in your area for a yoga studio to try out. They usually give a free trial for your first time. See how you like it, see how un-flexible you really are and get after it! Namaste