This article is sponsored by Dwell Yoga Studio.
Take a drive around Frisco and one thing is clear. We’re a sports-centric and athlete-loving community. Known for our professional sports venues, we’re also a passionate community of soccer moms and baseball dads.
With state-of-the-art facilities, expansive athletic fields, and top-notch sports medicine and research programs, if a Frisco kid dreams of growing in their sport, this is the place to be.
Along with this dedication and enthusiasm, we also have to learn how to take care of our young athletes’ bodies and prepare them for long-term enjoyment of their sport or activity.
How can we prepare our young athletes for long-term success?
Unfortunately, many of our young athletes are sidelined from their favorite activities at an early age because of preventable overuse injuries.
As we run from practice to practice, game to game, we often skip an important step in preparing their growing bodies for the demands of hard play.
Maureen Beville, MS, R-HYI, R-HY Therapist, and Owner of Dwell Yoga Studio in Frisco says,
In an era of singular, specialized sports, growing bodies need to be exposed to opportunities to balance the body, engage under-utilized muscle groups and support healthy joints and their stabilizing muscles. The result of this training results is less injury and greater performance.
Experts recommend that children begin stretching when they first join organized sports. By starting young, children are more likely to continue with that healthy practice as adults.
How do we teach our young athletes to “prehab” their bodies?
Stretching to stay flexible is critical as our children reach puberty and experience growth spurts.
This fall, Dwell Yoga will conduct a series of youth stretch clinics designed to help kids (ages 12+) stretch and learn various exercises to help with injury prevention.
The clinics are designed to teach young athletes stretching techniques, breathing exercises and mindfulness strategies to enhance their physical and mental performance both on and off the field, court, or stage.
The series of 4-week sessions will focus on teaching students a variety of dynamic (and yoga-based) exercises, a type of warm-up that has been shown to be beneficial for injury prevention and performance improvement. Maureen shared,
The goal is to help kids learn how to “prehab” their own bodies – taking the preventive steps to strengthen weaknesses that can lead to injury while developing life long skills that will carry their bodies beyond their favorite activities.
Static Stretching vs. Dynamic Stretching
Within the past 10 years, there’s been a shift from static stretching toward dynamic stretching.
Traditional static stretching pulls the muscle into a certain position and holds it there for an extended period of time to gain flexibility.
Dynamic stretching, on the other hand, includes movements that promote flexibility, strength, and range of motion to prepare the body for activity while decreasing the risk of injury.
Dynamic stretching is best to warm up the muscles before activity, workout or event. It can follow a brief warm-up (5 min) of walking, jogging, jumping rope, etc.
Static stretching is best when completed at the end of an activity, workout or event. Maureen explains,
Dynamic stretching gets blood moving through the body which supplies oxygen and other nutrients to the muscle and helps that muscle and joint to act with more force. Think stronger kicks, higher jumps, more explosive movement. When muscles are alert and prepared for movement, they’re better able to absorb high forces – resulting in less risk of injury.
Static stretching constricts blood flow and can have a negative effect on sports performance if done before the activity (decreased ability to sustain higher force output – running, kicking, jumping, sprinting, etc.). But, static stretching done after an athletic event or workout can help keep the joint healthy and mobile which means less injury.
This season, Sundays are for Stretching
When Maureen opened Dwell Yoga Studio in 2018, she wanted to provide a variety of classes to meet the diverse needs, interests, and abilities of her clientele.
Among their many class offerings (heated and non-heated) are Core Heat, Restorative, Gentle Flow, Power Yoga, Slow Burn, Soul Care, Vinyasa, Yoga Bootcamp, and classes for children/teens.
This fall, the youth stretch clinics will be conducted in a series of four classes, on Sundays from 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm. Classes are designed for teens (boys and girls) ages 12-18 involved in sports, athletics, and competitive training.
Sunday Stretch Clinics are open to the public (membership is not required). The sessions will include stretching exercises for the entire body (upper, lower and core) along with breathing and mindfulness techniques.
- Series 1 (Aug 18, Aug 25, Sep 1, Sep 8)
- Series 2 (Sep 22, Sep 29, Oct 6, Oct 13)
- Series 3 (Oct 27, Nov 3, Nov 10, Nov 17)
Students can register for single classes or purchase a discounted pass for the entire series. The drop-in rate is $20, or purchase a 4-Session Stretch Clinic Pass for $65.
Dwell Yoga can accommodate requests for groups who would like to schedule a private team session(s). Exercises, stretches, and other class themes will be customized to the needs and requests of the team. The rate for a private group session is $16/student, and they ask for a minimum of 8 students/class.
Contact Maureen Beville at the Studio for more information. Visit their website and follow Dwell Yoga on social media for updates: Facebook | Instagram
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