Laurent Koscielny says yoga is helping him manage his troublesome Achilles injury and helping him stay more relaxed off the pitch.
The France defender has been struggling with the ongoing problem for the last couple of years admitting in previous interviews that it requires daily attention.
While Arsene Wenger continues to rest Koscielny for less important matches, the player himself insists he’s definitely feeling more positive about the situation.
“Since January I started yoga, and I feel much better physically, my tendons do not hurt anymore,” he told RMC while on international duty.
“I’m more relaxed, more positive. I found a way to get away from it. I was a little reluctant at first, but there are many areas that (yoga) allowed me to relax, to be much more positive in football or in my everyday life.”
Koscielny has made 28 starts for the Gunners this season, bettered only by Hector Bellerin. No doubt he’ll be looking to stay injury free for the rest of the season as he looks to nail down a place in Didier Deschamps’ France squad for the World Cup in Russia.
Koscielny did his chances no harm with an impressive showing in Moscow on Tuesday as his country ran out 3-1 winners over the tournament hosts in a friendly.
Great defender, if he can stay fit he is right up there.
Fingers crossed for him and us.
Here’s hoping he stays injury free for the rest of the season and into the world cup
How is yoga/Pilates not mandatory for these athletes starting at a young age? Best workout by far to connect upper and lower body. I bet Ramsey doesn’t rip his hamstring as much if he’s doing yoga earlier in his career.
Stay healthy Kos, you’re our best defender 🙂
This is an excellent question. I find it incredible that Kos “discovered” yoga in January.
Agreed, there are many athletes in the US that have used yoga to help work their way back from injuries. Dwayne wade comes to mind but if I’m not wrong, Tom Brady also does it.
I’m 40 in a couple of months and I play goalie in ice hockey still. If I don’t do yoga before each game I’ll rip my groin/hip almost every time. I love doing the P90x yoga because they skip the meditation/breathing exercises and just get down to the workout. Seems strange that it’s not mandatory in all sports now.
P90X yoga (the original version) is a monster of a workout, having you sweat all over and squeal at times. Love it nonetheless.
I heard the later edition was a bit more merciful based on customer feedback. Haven’t tried it though.
I’d guess it’s because a lot of people in the football world feel yoga isn’t “manly” enough. There’s a lot of old school machismo in football.
But I agree it’s excellent for you.
Ryan giggs did yoga in the last half of his career.
I also don’t understand how it is not required. If I ever start coaching kids again I will incorporate it into training.
In the first half against Russia (right, not Man City or Germany, but not Scunthorpe either), Koscielny was brilliant. It looked like he won every aerial challenge, was first to every “second ball,” cleared every danger with a pass that released a France attacker. When he’s rested or has done yoga, or whatever it is, he still looks like one of the best defenders in England.
Misread that initially as “yoda helping with Achilles”. Now that’s a story
Surely you mean “A story now that is”.
Now that Giggs is in charge of Wales national team, I was hoping that his history of using yoga to treat the hamstring problems he experienced early in his career would influence Ramsey. Now that Ramsey also has a teammate using yoga to treat injuries, maybe he will see the light.
Ramsey hasn’t got the patience for yoga. Every time he gets into a position, he can’t help but move out of it…