Yoga for Snow Bunnies

Hitting the slopes is a lot of fun and a great workout – especially since skiing and snowboarding uses muscles you might not normally use – but that means it takes a toll on your body and recovery is even more important. We’ve highlighted a few of our favorite ways to recover, after Après of course! 

What You’ll Need: Little Owls Massage Therapy Balls and Robin Mat 

Bonus, both are super lightweight and easy to travel with! 

Key Areas To Focus On: Glutes, Calves, Feet  

The Warmup  

Your body might be sore so ease into it with a few warm up poses on your mat on your mat. 

Downward Dog

Pull the hips back into downward facing dog. Hands should still be shoulder-distance apart, fingers spread wide. Drop your head and make sure that your feet are hip width apart. Inhale and lift high the balls of your feet. When you exhale, press the heels back down and lengthen your neck. Peddle out each leg before coming into a stationary pose. Hold the pose for at least 5-6 full, deep breaths.

Child's Pose 

Start on your hands and knees, with your knees planted out wider than your hips. Sit back on your heels so your stomach lowers between your thighs, and reach your upper body forward. Keep your torso long as you continue to press your hips back and your arms forward.

Full Stretch 

Stretch your arms straight above your head, point your toes and make your body as long as possible. Stretch, stretch, stretch and then let your body melt back into the mat.

Windshield Wiper 

Bend your legs so your feet are on the floor wider than hip distance apart. Open your arms into a T shape and slowly let both knees fall to the left as your head rolls to the right. Then bring the knees back to center and allow them to drop to the right, turning your face to the left. Like windshield wipers on the slowest setting, move your knees from side to side.Rock back and forth 4 times, finishing with the knees to the right.

The Routine 

Continue on your mat but start incorporating massage balls into your practice 

Glutes 

Start by sitting with your knees bent, feet on the floor. Place a ball under your right glute, and then lift yourself up slightly by placing your hands behind you for support. Roll slowly until you find a tight spot, and then hold your position. To get a deeper massage, cross the same-side leg over your opposite thigh and bend your same-side elbow to use gravity more.

Calves 

Place the cork ball under your calf and roll up and down leg to find knots. Ensure you do not forget to rotate your foot to help target your outer calf. When you discover a knot, engage your non-supporting hand and rock your leg back and forth on the cork ball. You will feel pain, but it is a profitable pain.

Feet

Place the cork ball on the ball of your foot. First in the center, use your weight to create and control pressure. Then, Hold.Move the ball across the ball of the foot, holding on both sides.

Work the arch of the foot with the ball. Hold on to any point that feels stiff, and move the ball to the base of the heel. Hold on the pressure point.