Yoga for Chess Players: Best Poses to Practice

Chess is an extremely popular game in the world. It requires extreme concentration and tactical thinking to progress throughout a match. One wrong move can completely turn the tables around. The game of chess requires extreme mental stamina and physical comfort. This is why many chess players incorporate exercises that provide them with mental and physical relaxation.

One such exercise that is quickly becoming popular among the chess community is yoga. Through yoga, chess players can achieve enhanced awareness, memory, and attention. Besides that, it enables players to ward off mental fatigue and improve sleep. The positive effects of yoga extend beyond the physical state of the human body.

Keep reading this article to learn about some best yoga poses that chess players can practice.

Top 6 Yoga Poses Recommended for Chess Players

Yoga is extremely beneficial for physical and mental health. When practiced properly, it can provide long-lasting benefits for people of all ages. Chess players undergo long duration and tense matches. Revering physically and mentally is essential for them to give outclass performance the next day. Certain yoga poses offer greater performance boosts and enhanced recovery for them.

With that said, let’s explore the top yoga poses recommended for chess players.

1. Child Pose

The Child’s pose is a forward bend pose. It is very beneficial for chess players after a strenuous and tiresome game of chess. To perform it accurately, follow the below steps:

·         Sit on your heels and bend forward

·         Move your forehead to the mat

·         Place your palm on the mat and straighten your arms

·         Gently press your chest on the thighs

·         Take deep breaths and hold this position

·         Repeat as necessary

Chess players can practice this pose to promote the relaxation of muscles and the nervous system. It can also calm your spinal cord and back muscles. If you have pain in the ankles or knees, remember to use a cushion or a soft material. You can join hot yoga in Dubai classes to learn this pose from professionals and improve your performance on the chessboard.

2. Butterfly Pose

Chess players can practice the Butterfly pose to open their hips and strengthen their back muscles. Follow the below steps to perform it correctly:

·         Sit in a cross-legged position on the floor mat

·         Move your legs outward and away from the body

·         Touch the soles of your feet with each other and point your knees out

·         Like a butterfly, start pulsing your knees gently up and down

·         Take deep breaths

·         Repeat 4 to 6 times

This pose helps you protect your hips from prolonged sitting in a chess game. This pose lets you target the groin, inner thighs, and knees. Therefore, it is extremely beneficial for chess players.

3. Corpse Pose

The Corpse pose is more of a relaxing pose. It can allow chess players to relax their body and mind after long games. Here are the steps to do it correctly:

·         Sit on the floor with your knees bent, feet on the floor

·         Lean back onto your forearms and slowly extend your legs with your feet apart

·         Lift your pelvis off the floor, slightly tuck your tailbone

·         Lower your pelvis to the floor and stretch your arms back towards the face

·         Turn your arms outward and extend them toward to bottom of the mat

·         Rest the backs of your hands on the floor

·         Let your eyes sink to the back of your head and gaze toward your heart

·         Stay in this pose for at least 5 minutes

·         To exit, exhale and gently roll onto one side

This pose lets you calm your spine, back, arms, shoulders, and legs. It also lets you expel the tiresome thoughts and negative energy out of your body. Chess players can greatly benefit by practicing it after a long game.

4. Fish Pose

The Fish pose is popular for its health-enhancing capabilities. Follow the below steps to perform it correctly:

·         Lie down on the back

·         Bring your hands and palms up under the glutes

·         Press on the floor while leaning back and bend elbows

·         Lift chest so that the back is arched

·         Bring elbows near each other underneath the back

·         Drop your head back on the floor

·         Hold and take deep breaths

·         Repeat as necessary

This pose stretches your deep hip flexors, intercostals, abs, neck, and legs. It also improves blood flow and increases oxygen saturation in the lungs. Chess players can think more clearly when they have high oxygen saturation levels in the brain and bloodstream.

5. Bridge Pose

Chess players love to practice the bridge pose. It is beneficial for treating low endurance and increasing blood flow to your limbs. Here are the steps to perform it correctly:

·         Lie down on the floor

·         Place your feet flat on the floor and knees bent

·         Move your hands down at your sides and palms down on the floor

·         Inhale and lift your stomach and chest

·         Gaze upwards

·         Hold and take deep breaths

This pose lets chess players stretch the chest, shoulders, neck, spine, and legs, resulting in increased blood circulation. It also enables you to increase oxygen saturation in your lungs.

6. Locust Pose

Chess players can practice the Locust pose for strengthening and toning the abdominal organs and muscles. To perform it accurately, follow the below steps:

·         Lie on your stomach with palms facing up and arms alongside your body

·         Lift the head, legs, arms, and the upper body off the floor

·         While actively looking forward keep your arms and legs stretched

·         Hold this position and take deep breaths

·         Repeat as necessary

Chess players can perform it to stretch their body muscles, elongate their spine, and work their core. It enables you to boost your energy while stimulating your fitness levels. You can enroll in yoga sessions to learn this pose from experts and improve your chess performance.

Win Chess Games skillfully through Yoga!

Chess players go through tough mental grinds to win or participate in a game of chess. The game can last from anywhere between a few minutes to months. Long chess games are tiring and require extreme mental and physical stamina. Yoga is a perfect choice for chess players in this regard. Join a yoga club today to win chess games skillfully and smartly.

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