Tsunami Saipan swimmers try yoga in training

Swimming Center Tsunami Saipan members do balancing drills during a yoga session last weekend. (Contributed Photo)

Swimming Center Tsunami Saipan members participated in a yoga class last Saturday as part of their cross training.

Twelve Tsunami Saipan swimmers had a session with yoga instructor Leslie Bradley and they learned additional breathing and movement techniques that could help them improve their performance in the water.

“The yoga class was very helpful for us swimmers because we were taught how to breathe more efficiently, maintain strength in balancing, and keep a focused and relaxed mindset. All of those things were undoubtedly helpful in improving my swimming skills,” Andrew Nunez said.

Joining Nunez in the yoga class were Juhn Tenorio, Kevin Guererro, Kean Pajarillaga, Isaiah Aleksenko, Kouki Watanabe, Asaka and Shoko Litulumar, Ayumi Obligacion, Michelle Chen, Julia Jinang, and Maria Batallones.

Yoga instructor Leslie Bradley, standing third left, poses with Swimming Center Tsunami Saipan members after their session last weekend. (Contributed Photo)

Asaka took note of the stretching techniques they learned from Bradley, saying that they helped her improve her balance, strength, and flexibility, while Jinang liked how the yoga class made them relax.

“The yoga class was calming, helpful, and overall fun. My team and I learned many techniques, from postures to stretches to breathing. This class helped me stretch my body more and acknowledge its limits all the while keeping a calm composure,” the 14-year-old Jinang said.

Meanwhile, Bradley was pleased with the response of Tsunami Saipan swimmers during their session.

“I enjoyed the class. It was great to be surrounded by such youthful energy. All of the students were very attentive and enthusiastic. They were able to follow the movements quite well, despite all of us wearing masks. When you teach a class where all of the students are extremely fit, it is easy to move them into slightly more difficult postures,” Bradley said.

Juhn Tenorio, right, follows the stretching technique shown by Leslie Bradley. (Contributed Photo)

The yoga instructor added that yoga gives competitive athletes like swimmers the opportunity to take of the usual pressures they feel from competitions and rigorous training sessions.

“Yoga’s main benefit is a chance to dial it down a bit, let the practice be more about the breathing, stretching, and relaxing. Learning to use the breath to calm yourself and for a little while let go of the competition aspect,” she said.

Meanwhile, Tsunami Saipan head coach Hiro Kimura said the club will have more sessions with Bradley as they continue to train for future competitions and improve the swimmers’ skills.

“We hope to focus on improving their posture, concentration, and team spirit and learn effective ways to recover from fatigue in the next yoga classes,” Kimura said.