BUT FIRST, DO YOU BELIEVE THIS?
Yoga isn’t really exercise, it is only stretching.
In functional yoga we work both Mobility (strength and active range of motion) and Flexibility (stretching and passive range of motion) and we move in all different plans: flexion, extension, lateral, rotation and balance. It is an essential work that will complement your tennis training and make you a better prepared and more resilient player.
Yoga is only about your physical ability.
Yoga is not about touching your toes and showing a fancy pose in Instagram. The true purpose of yoga is to quiet your mind, calm your nervous system and work through any issues preventing you from being at peace. Apart from the purely physical benefits, Yoga teaches proper breathing technique and trains the mind to focus. This is a very valuable tool during stressful periods in the match.
Yoga is only for young and flexible people.
When people think of only the poses, this misconception does arise. But Yoga is for everyone, irrespective of age and gender. In my classes we practice mobility and functional movement to feel better and prepare ourselves for the poses but also to “function” better in our daily life. The purpose is to become stronger and move better so we can stay active and independent as we grow old.
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WHAT DO PROFESSIONAL TENNIS + PADDLE PLAYERS HAVE TO SAY
When you see the likes of Novak Djokovic battering the ball around a tennis court, it might not be immediately clear how yoga and tennis fit together. However, yoga has been a key ingredient in improved tennis fitness, and it’s changed the way the game is played.
Many professional tennis players have turned to yoga over the past two decades to provide a source of recovery and flexibility that they so desperately need whilst grinding it out on the professional circuit. Yoga has become an integral part of many players’ routines.
Even on the shots we take for granted such as the serve, the body is under enormous pressure, and tennis player’s bodies need to be extremely flexible to deal with this. This takes a huge amount of physical training, and yoga is now a fundamental part of this.
Modern day tennis requires a unique combination of strength, rotational power, speed and flexibility, especially in the modern game. Novak has excelled in this area with his exceptional flexibility and strength from fully outstretched positions.
In many ways, Djokovic has pushed the game on to new physical levels, through his flexibility, agility and power, and yoga has been a key part of this.
IMPROVE YOUR TENNIS + PADDLE GAME WITH FUNCTIONAL YOGA CLASSES
In-person Private Classes
- One to one tuition
- In your language: I speak English, Spanish, French and a little Swedish.
- Private studio in Marbella.
- Duration is 60 minutes.
Single session: 60€
5 classes: 300€ 275€*
10 classes: 600€ 500€**
Interested?
1. Book an informal chat with Monica to discuss your current conditions, your goals and answer any questions you may have.
2. Choose days and times that suit you to come to class.
3. Gain mobility and flexibility and improve your game!
*valid for 2 months
**valid for 3 months
Online Private Classes
- One to one tuition
- Live class via Zoom + recording
- In your language: I speak English, Spanish, French and a little Swedish.
- Duration is 60 minutes.
Single session: 50€
5 classes: 250€ 225€*
10 classes: 500€ 400€**
Interested?
1. Book an informal chat with Monica to discuss your current conditions, your goals and answer any questions you may have.
2. Choose days and times that suit you to come to class.
3. Gain mobility and flexibility and improve your game!
*valid for 2 months
**valid for 3 months
YOGA CAN HELP YOUR TENNIS + PADDLE GAME
Performing these specific mobility and flexibility exercises on a regular basis, you will be surprised how you will increase mobility in your joints and lengthen muscles throughout the body, which will enable you to maintain optimal functional movement. Your shot execution and control will improve and you will feel more balance over the ball.
Yoga has reshaped how tennis + padel players move on the court and recover and strengthen their bodies off the court. More specifically, it is great at improving a few specific areas related to this sport.
BALANCE AND POSTURE
Performing yoga properly requires sound posture and body structure. Therefore, doing yoga regularly helps by realigning your body to its natural and healthy form. Balance is a key element to playing better tennis, as it allows you to be nimble and change direction more efficiently.
MOBILITY & INJURY PREVENTION
Mobility relates to freedom of movement in joint ranges and kinetic chain. Improving the strength and agility of joints and working the body as a chain rather than an isolated hold helps to avoid compensations and injuries.
IMPROVED FLEXIBILITY
Flexibility gains reduce the amount of energy you require to move around the court or jump for a serve. Yoga stretches will help you reduce muscle tension and you will have a more efficient and effective recovery.
WHAT SOME OF MY CLIENTS SAY
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHY IS FUNCTIONAL YOGA DIFFERENT TO OTHER TYPES OF YOGA?
Traditional yoga is more focused on flexibility or stretching, which works on the ranges of motion in a passive way by the use of an external force (a hand grabs a foot to stretch the quadriceps or you use a belt to stretch the leg). In my classes we also work mobility, which relates directly to joint movement and engages the muscles and tissues around the joint in an active way (you bend the knee and move the foot as close to the glute as you can or you lift the leg towards you without any assistance).
WHAT MATERIAL DO I NEED FOR IN-PERSON CLASSES?
In order to meet Covid sanitary measures, it is advisable to bring your own mat and a clean towel to cover the blankets or bolsters we might use close to the face. The studio is fully equipped with wall bars, ropes on the wall, chairs, blankets, blocks and other material you can use duly hygienized.
WHAT MATERIAL DO I NEED FOR ONLINE CLASSES?
Apart from a mat, we use different props like yoga blocks (you can use books), a belt (you can use the belt of your bathrobe), a tennis ball for self massage, an elastic band, a foam roller, a pole (you can use the stick of your broom). Most of things you have at home, but if you want to buy some material, I can help you with that.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I PRACTICE?
Every body is different, but if you want results you need to be consistent. I would suggest twice a week, or maybe 1 class together and then practice on your own with a recorded class.
HOW DOES PAYMENT WORK?
In-person classes are paid directly in the studio, on-line classes can be paid through bank transfer. I’ll provide you with the details when we have the first chat.
ABOUT MONICA CHARLES
Hola, I’m Monica
I have been teaching yoga for over 7 years. In 2013, I completed my Yoga Teacher Training and since then, I have devotedly studied and practiced Iyengar Yoga, a method focused mainly on technique and body alignment.
After a few years and some minor injuries, I began to question the benefits of yoga in general as a practice mostly based on stretching and repetitive static poses. I started to feel that there is not an ideal alignment for every body, that some postures didn’t fit me well and the rigidity of the system didn’t allow me to do things differently. I sought answers and found them in a different environment.
It was then I decided to train in anatomy and biomechanics and I certified with Dr. Andreo Spina as a FRC Mobility Specialist. Incorporating functional movement into my practice has been a game changer for me: it helps me to prepare the poses more safely, to feel stronger and more agile so I can move better not only during the class but also in my daily life.
I want the same for you.
IMPROVE YOUR TENNIS + PADDLE GAME WITH FUNCTIONAL YOGA CLASSES
See you in class!