Practicing Yoga poses before a great day of snowboarding is important in order to warm-up all of your muscles and ligaments and to prevent injury. Snowboarding takes a great deal of balance and muscular strength. It also requires an ability to modify your snowboarding technique depending on the snow conditions and terrain. There are a number of effective and challenging Yoga poses that will help you to warm-up for the day. Before practicing specific Yoga asanas, it is advisable to begin with five to ten rounds of complete Sun Salutations. Sun Salutations help to warm-up all of the major muscle groups in the body, increase circulation and invigorate your entire body in preparation for a challenging day on the slopes.
Garudasana or Eagle Pose
To practice Garudasana, begin by warming up with several rounds of Sun Salutations. After you have warmed up, come to Mountain Pose at the front end of your Yoga mat. Pause for a moment and feel your balance. With you next inhale, raise your right foot and place it above your left knee then hook your right toes behind your left ankle or calf. Take your right arm and wind it under your left arm. Press your palms flush against each other in prayer position. Keep your arms at shoulder height and directly in front of you. Feel the stretch through your arms, neck and shoulder.