"There is no way I could have played as long as I did without yoga...As preventative medicine, it's unequaled," -Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

"Trainers have long recognized the importance of stretching, and much of what they do is derived from yoga," -Pam Field, Yoga Consultant, Portland Trailblazers.

"Yoga allows me to heal myself on a daily basis, and continue to train on a high level," -Chris Campbell, Olympic wrestler

Athletes from around the world have discovered the benefits of yoga for increasing strength, flexibility, relaxation, concentration and reducing the chance of injury.

Yoga Sport workshops and private sessions use Anusara Yoga's Universal Principles of Alignment to find the optimal bio-mechanics for any sport or activity. And these same principles can be used to therapeutically heal injuries caused by overuse and as an adjunct to physical therapy and chiropractic care.

Each Yoga Sport workshops or private session is custom designed for you to learn the key alignment actions, poses and therapeutics for your sport. Short practice routines and photo-illustrated reference materials will also be provided.

Here's a sample of what you will learn:

• How to use "muscle" and "organic" energy to protect joints, extend range of motion and increase core strength;
• 15-minute warm-up/warm-down routine to prevent injuries and to correct muscle imbalances from over training;
• Key alignment principles for shoulders, hips, ankles and knees;
• How to safely and effectively stretch your hamstrings and;
• Yoga breathing techniques to focus the mind, improve cardiovascular efficiency and relax while under pressure.

• Yoga for Athletes (general workshop for all types of sports);
• Yoga for Snowsports (skiers, boarders, iceskaters);
• Yoga for Biking;
• Yoga for Courtsports (tennis, squash, racquetball, basketball);
• Yoga for Runners;
• Yoga for Swimmers.

For over 30 years, Jim Gillen has used yoga and specialized stretching techniques in support of competitive karate, swimming, biking, running, skiing and sailboat racing. His sports background, experience as an instructor at the National Sports Center for the Disabled, over 400 hours of anatomy and yoga training, and eight + years of yoga teaching experience make him uniquely qualified. Jim is also an affiliated Anusara yoga instructor and member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists and teaches at Portland Parks, The Club at Kruse Woods, Physical Therapy Associates, Amrita: a Sanctuary for Yoga, The Multnomah Athletic Club and Still Moving Yoga, his Southwest Portland yoga studio.