Yoga for Athletes: The Carolina Hurricanes
When you think of hockey players, you probably picture sharp turns, powerful strides, and bruised intensity out on the ice. But did you know some of the Carolina Hurricanes’ best are just as fierce when they’re rolling out their yoga mat? We sat down with defenseman Charles-Alexis Legault and center Jack Drury to dig into how yoga has become their secret weapon for staying agile, strong, and mentally locked in.
Turns out, there’s more overlap between yoga and hockey than you might expect. Whether it’s deepening hip mobility for longer, stronger strides, or building the endurance that keeps them going into overtime, both Legault and Drury have found that regular yoga practice makes a difference in their game.
So, whether you’re a hockey fan, a dedicated yogi, or just looking to improve your own athletic performance, we’ve got insights on how yoga can make a real difference.
Why Hockey Players Turn To Yoga
Picture this:
You’re gliding full speed down the ice, shifting directions in seconds, powering through intense strides—over and over again. The physical demands on a hockey player’s body are no joke. From the powerful legwork to the strain on hips, knees, and core, hockey is all about strength, speed, and agility. So, why are more and more players stepping off the ice and onto the mat? For Legault and Drury, it’s all about balance, recovery, and staying in the game longer.
Yoga does more than just give tight hips a break. In a sport where quick, explosive movements are a given, yoga is the ultimate counterbalance. The deep stretches and intentional breathing bring relief to muscles that take a beating on the ice, while the mobility work helps prevent injuries that could sideline players for weeks. And let’s not forget the mental aspect—yoga’s focus on mindfulness helps these players find their center, keeping them cool, calm, and ready to make split-second decisions when the puck drops.
For Legault, a solid yoga flow has become essential for releasing that built-up tension in his hips. Drury, meanwhile, is all in for the heat, often taking hot yoga sessions to sweat it out and keep his body limber.
So, why yoga for hockey players? Because it's the perfect fusion of mobility, endurance, and mental clarity that helps them go all-in, both on and off the ice. It’s their edge, their recovery tool, and a way to stay ready for anything the season throws at them.
Benefits of Yoga for Hockey Players
For hockey players, yoga is the secret sauce that keeps them skating longer, recovering faster, and showing up stronger every time they hit the ice. Legault and Drury have felt the difference firsthand, and here’s how yoga gives them—and other hockey pros—that extra edge.
1. Hip Mobility & Flexibility
Anyone who’s spent time on the ice knows: tight hips are part of the territory. That’s where yoga works its magic, especially in poses like Warrior 2 and Pigeon, which open up the hips and bring a whole new level of flexibility. For Legualt, it’s been a game-changer, “The hips have been super tight from skating... I found yoga, and I’ve been doing it all summer. I feel great now.” Keeping those hips open helps players go deeper in their stride, building power and range of motion to make those quick, explosive movements that hockey demands.
Drury also swears by the benefits of flexibility, saying, “I think flexibility’s big. It’s always helped me not be as tight or sore.” For these guys, yoga isn’t just about stretching—it’s making every shift smoother, every stride more powerful, and every recovery a little faster.
2. Strength & Endurance
Yoga isn’t just about flexibility; it’s also about building strong, stable muscles that go the distance. Through controlled movements and powerful poses, Drury and Legault are able to strengthen their core and lower body, helping them withstand the physical toll of back-to-back games and practices. By pushing their bodies in the yoga studio, they’re building the muscle memory and endurance they need to keep going strong, all game long.
3. Injury Prevention & Recovery
Let’s be real: hockey players are no strangers to injury. But with yoga as part of their routine, Legault and Drury are giving their bodies the chance to recover and recharge. Long-held poses release tension, while the deep stretching keeps muscles flexible and resilient. Legault credits MY unwind classes for this benefit, “I usually like a type of flow where we're able to control the transitions. I’ve been doing the unwind classes at Midtown Yoga, which really help when I'm a bit more tired and I just want to relax. Being able to stretch for longer periods really helps release stress from training.” For hockey players, yoga isn’t just about staying flexible; it’s about preventing injuries that could sideline them for weeks.
Bringing Yoga to the Ice: The Mind-Body Connection
In hockey, every split second counts. Staying sharp and grounded under pressure is just as essential as strength and agility. Yoga’s ability to blend mental clarity with physical endurance gives these players the upper hand on the ice.
Through yoga’s breathwork and mindful movement, Legault has found a powerful mental reset. “I feel more loose, more focused,” he shares, describing how the calm that yoga brings him directly impacts his performance. The mental focus he’s developed through yoga allows him to stay present and fluid in his stride, helping him tune out tension and respond faster on the ice.
For Drury, yoga’s intensity is key, especially in a hot yoga setting. “Hot yoga’s intense, but it’s about being present and pushing through the heat,” he says. This ability to stay steady in the moment, no matter the discomfort, helps him maintain focus during critical moments in a game. Yoga has become his way of embracing challenge and pushing through with intention, just as he does on the ice.
In the end, it’s about finding balance. The high-intensity nature of hockey demands a way to come back to center, and yoga provides that grounding force. By building a strong mind-body connection, Legault and Drury don’t just play the game—they stay fully immersed in it. Yoga helps them navigate the mental and physical highs and lows, keeping them ready for whatever the next period brings.
Is Yoga as a Secret Weapon for Hockey Players?
Absolutely. For players like Charles-Alexis Legault and Jack Drury, yoga is the edge that keeps them flexible, powerful, and mentally unbreakable. With each session, they’re building hip mobility and strength for deeper strides, endurance for those intense games, and recovery techniques that keep them in top shape. But yoga is more than just physical—it's a mental game-changer, giving them the focus and resilience to stay cool on the ice when the heat is on.
Yoga doesn’t just belong to yogis; it’s a tool that can amplify any athlete’s performance. Whether you’re hitting the ice or simply looking to improve flexibility and reduce stress, incorporating yoga into your routine—even just a few sessions a week—can make a noticeable difference. If hockey players can find their flow on the mat and translate it into power on the ice, imagine what it could do for you. Yoga is the power play that keeps you sharp, steady, and ready to face whatever life (or the ice) throws your way.