Latest in Sports
Time of India
an hour ago
- Health
- Time of India
The Transformative Power of Yog Nidra in Sports
In the high-stakes world of competitive sports, athletes are always searching for ways to gain an edge—whether through advanced physical training, cutting-edge nutrition, or innovative mental conditioning . Among the most powerful tools emerging in sports psychology is Yog Nidra , an ancient yogic practice of conscious deep sleep. This technique is rapidly gaining recognition for its ability to enhance athletic performance and personal well-being, offering benefits that extend far beyond the playing field. Yog Nidra, often described as 'yogic sleep,' is a state of deep relaxation where the practitioner remains fully conscious. Unlike ordinary sleep, which can be restless or filled with dreams, Yog Nidra provides profound rest and restoration at the physical, mental, and emotional levels. Rooted in the classical tradition, Yog Nidra is considered a technique of pratyahara, the fifth limb of Ashtanga Yoga. Pratyahara refers to the withdrawal of the senses from external distractions, allowing the practitioner to turn inward and cultivate deep awareness and inner peace. For athletes, this practice offers unique benefits: Enhanced Recovery: Intense training and competition place significant physical and mental demands on athletes. Yog Nidra accelerates recovery by reducing stress hormones and promoting deep rest, allowing athletes to train harder and more consistently. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Best X-Ray Diffractometers Mexico (See The List) X-Ray Diffraction | Search Ads Undo Mental Clarity and Focus: The practice helps athletes clear mental clutter, sharpen concentration, and stay present—qualities that are essential during high-pressure matches. By training the mind to remain calm and focused, Yog Nidra supports peak performance under stress. Emotional Resilience : Sports are as much about handling setbacks as they are about celebrating victories. Yog Nidra equips athletes with tools to manage anxiety, frustration, and self-doubt, fostering a mindset of resilience and positivity. Improved Sleep Quality : Many athletes struggle with sleep, especially before major events. Regular Yog Nidra practice improves sleep quality, ensuring athletes are well-rested and ready to perform. Recent scientific studies have validated the efficacy of Yog Nidra for both physical and mental health. Research conducted by the National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR), Hyderabad, inspired by Anandmurti Gurumaa, demonstrated that regular Yog Nidra practice leads to significant improvements in blood pressure, stress, anxiety, and depression. Participants also experienced reductions in harmful biochemical markers like cortisol and triglycerides, while beneficial substances like adiponectin increased. Importantly, Yog Nidra has no negative side effects—making it a safe and natural intervention for athletes and non-athletes alike. The integration of Yog Nidra into sports training reflects a broader shift in athletic development—one that recognizes the critical importance of mental and emotional well-being alongside physical conditioning. Coaches and athletes worldwide are increasingly adopting mindfulness, meditation, and relaxation techniques to enhance performance and overall quality of life. Yog Nidra, with its roots in ancient yoga and now supported by scientific evidence, offers a structured, evidence-based approach to achieving inner calm, focus, and resilience. Authored by: Anandmurti Gurumaa Why Arjun Was Chosen: The Untold Secret of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4, Verse 3
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lens' Hervé Koffi set for Angers move
RC Lens goalkeeper Hervé Koffi (28) is set for a move to SCO Angers, according to a report from Mohamed Toubache-Ter. Koffi failed to seize his chance to become Lens' No.1 following Brice Samba's departure for the club. The France international joined Stade Rennais in January, however, Koffi struggled to replace him in the weeks that followed, which saw Les Sang et Or dip into the market to sign Australian goalkeeper Mat Ryan (33). Advertisement There could be yet further change between the sticks for Lens this summer, but either way, it looks as though Koffi will not be at the club. As per Toubahce-Ter, the Burkina Faso international will join Angers on a season-long loan deal. Le Sco, who last season avoided the drop, will pay a part, but not all, of the player's wages. There is no buy option included in the deal. The move will naturally raise questions about the future of Yahia Fofana (24), who is likely to be coveted following a strong campaign last time around. GFFN | Luke Entwistle
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Gattuso convinced Italy can reach World Cup
Gennaro Gattuso (C) has been tasked with guiding Italy to the 2026 World Cup (Alberto PIZZOLI) Gennaro Gattuso said Thursday he is convinced Italy can qualify for the World Cup as he begins his reign as Azzurri coach following the dismissal of Luciano Spalletti. Italy are at risk of missing out on a third consecutive World Cup after a troubled start to their qualifying campaign which has left them nine points behind Group I leaders Norway and cost Spalletti his job. Advertisement Asked whether he had more hope or conviction that Italy could reach next year's finals in the USA, Canada and Mexico, Gattuso said: "conviction". "I believe that we have good players available to us. We have four or five who are among the top 10 in the world in their position," added Gattuso. "We have a good team, but I do mean team, I'm not thinking about individuals. I'm convinced that the team has quality and I'm convinced that we can achieve our goal." Gattuso has a tough job on his hands with only top spot in the group giving automatic qualification to the World Cup, even with Italy having played two fewer games than Norway. Advertisement As well as the significant points gap Italy have a goal difference which is 12 goals worse than Norway, who hammered Italy 3-0 earlier in June. That leaves Italy with the play-offs, from which they failed to reach the last two tournaments, as their only realistic shot at qualification. "We need to bring back the enthusiasm and not think negatively. My goal is to make sure that the players that come to (Italy's training centre) Coverciano do so with great enthusiasm, and to create a family," said Gattuso. "After formations, technique and tactics the priority is to recreate that mentality that in the past has made us stand out." Advertisement Gattuso, a World Cup winner in 2006, was not the Italian Football Federation's first choice to replace Spalletti. Claudio Ranieri eventually turned down an appeal to come out of retirement, for a second time, to save his country's footballing fortunes. But Italy icon Gianluigi Buffon, now head of the national team delegation, said he believes Gattuso is capable of defying those who doubt his capabilities after an up-and-down coaching career. Gattuso, 47, was recently sacked by Hadjuk Split but has also managed AC Milan and Napoli, winning the Italian Cup with the latter club five years ago. Advertisement "I had a long playing career and every time I faced once of Rino's teams with Juventus they gave us a hard time, you had the idea that his teams had a precise identity, and that there was a lot of work and thought behind them," said Buffon. "It's very simple, when you're on the pitch you can tell straight away if behind the other team there is a good coach or not. And I every time I faced his Milan or Napoli team I could tell that was the case." Gattuso will be in the dugout for the first time in September when Italy host Estonia in Bergamo before travelling to Hungary to take on Israel. td/pi
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
Sachin Tendulkar on renaming of India-England Test series: My first phone call was to the Pataudi family to inform them
When the Test series between India and England was renamed the Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy, the Indian great Sachin Tendulkar made the first call to the Pataudi family. The series was originally called the Pataudi Trophy in honour of Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, who led India, and his father Iftikhar Ali who played for England and also captained India. Tendulkar wanted to retain the Pataudi connection with the series, and convinced the two cricket boards in India and England to award a trophy to the winning captain in Pataudi's name – it would be called Pataudi Medal of Excellence. 'My first phone call was to the Pataudi family to inform them. And we spoke about how to keep the Pataudi legacy alive [with the India-England series]. I said that I will try my best,' Tendulkar told The Indian Express. Tendulkar just didn't want to assuage the family, but wanted to do his bit to retain the Pataudi connection. He then called up the International Cricket Council (ICC) president Jay Shah, and also spoke to people in England and India's cricket board. 'I spoke to Mr. Jay Shah, the BCCI and the ECB and shared my ideas with them, and shared a few options. With a few phone calls with them, I felt they bought into the idea and graciously agreed [to retain Pataudi connection]. It was to support the whole thought process which ended up in having this Pataudi Medal of Excellence for the series-winning captain,' Tendulkar said. Tendulkar explained the rationale for choosing Pataudi's name for the captaincy. 'I feel that the great man [Mansoor Ali Khan] was known for his leadership and is a good match. That the winning captain would be getting the Pataudi medal would be apt. So now, along with the new trophy, which would be named after both Anderson and I, we also have this Pataudi Medal of Excellence – and that feels really nice. So, the end outcome is good.' Tendulkar said he felt honoured to be associated with the series. 'It does feel really nice that the contribution of ours to our respective nations in Test cricket is recognised in this way, feels special. I had heard about the BCCI and ECB retiring the Pataudi Trophy some time ago. It was the decision taken by both the boards to name this trophy after Anderson and I, which is a completely new trophy.' The original Pataudi Trophy was commissioned in 2007 by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) to mark the 75th anniversary of India's first Test in England in 1932. India won the first series in 2007, and England have won the next three series that followed, with the last series ending in a 2-2 draw.
The Independent
an hour ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Tijjani Reijnders ‘can be very important' for Man City
Nathan Ake expects fellow Dutchman and new Manchester City team-mate Tijjani Reijnders to have a big impact at the club. Reijnders joined City from AC Milan last week in a deal worth an initial £46.5million as part of Pep Guardiola's rebuild in response to their disappointing 2024-25 season. The 26-year-old made an impressive debut, playing the full game, as City began their challenge at the Club World Cup with a comfortable 2-0 win over Wydad Casablanca in Philadelphia on Wednesday. Central defender Ake said: 'I know him really well and I think he can be very important. 'I think from the first week in training, you could see that he fits in really well and you can see the quality he has. 'He can play in different positions, he can get into the box, he can keep the ball going and moving forward. He has great quality and there's so much more to come. 'He did really well. It was tough circumstances but he kept the ball really well, kept us moving and offensively he was very good.' Ake played 90 minutes himself for the first time since January as City saw off their Moroccan opponents in their Group G opener with first-half goals from Phil Foden and Jeremy Doku. His past season was a frustrating one as he made just 18 appearances in all competitions due to fitness problems. The 30-year-old said: 'It was very tough. I basically always tried to push, tried to come back as quick as possible but then I got injured again and mentally it can be tough. 'It's never easy but luckily that's done now and hopefully now I can stay fit and keep performing. 'I feel good. I had my first 60 (minutes) with the national team and this was my first 90 in a little while. 'Obviously (I hope there is) more to come but this game was important in the group and it's a good start for me.'
