| Here it is July and you're probably wondering, "Is this | | | | will aid you when the season starts. I always laugh at |
| guy nuts?" I mean, dude, it's 90 degrees outside, not | | | | the timing of articles in magazines touting: "It's time |
| a snowflake in sight and he's focusing on skiing! Well, | | | | to get into skiing shape" when the season has |
| you do when you love to ski and want to be ready | | | | already started. Sure, a pre-season tune up on the |
| when the time comes to throw the skis in the car | | | | body is needed, but that shouldn't be a month after |
| and head for the hills. In Colorado, that happened in | | | | it has started; by then you are already behind the |
| the first week of November last year. | | | | game and open yourself up for sore muscles, strains |
| Cross-training have become the buzzwords in sports | | | | and possible injury. |
| the past couple of years, and they apply to skiing as | | | | Cross-training during the summer and fall months is |
| much a cycling, baseball, basketball or snowboarding. | | | | invaluable and will give you a leg up when November |
| Some cross training activities can only be done | | | | arrives; swim, play tennis, bicycle, run to keep you in |
| before your season begins; then focus changes to | | | | shape and interested in fitness through variety. Then, |
| just the main activity. Yoga and skiing go together | | | | add yoga to improve flexibility and strength. Keep it |
| before, during and after the season. | | | | up after the season has started to stave off any |
| As with cycling, yoga poses help keep your level of | | | | injury and fatigue for those tough, but fun, double |
| performance high while you reap year-round benefits. | | | | black diamond days. |
| Skiing requires a lot from your body and even though | | | | You can purchase yoga videos, take a local, weekly |
| a good hot tub, steam or massage can eliminate | | | | class or watch for special shows on cable often |
| some of the sore muscles, yoga will keep you flexible | | | | featured on FitTV and OLN. I like to take an |
| and relatively pain free, if you apply it during the | | | | occasional class and use videos, they both offer |
| season. | | | | diversity, privacy and instruction. |
| In pre-season, as we now find ourselves, is the time | | | | Have a great summer; I'll see you on the Colorado |
| to use yoga to strengthen the muscles used in skiing, | | | | slopes in a few short months. |
| and gain endurance and deeper breathing skills which | | | | |