2018 Cleveland Indians Season with Inner Bliss
by Katie Brown and Tammy Lyons
What is Inner Bliss' role with the Cleveland Indians?
“Teaching the players how to breathe a deep, mindful, deliberate breath gives them an edge for being able to calm their minds, stay present in the moment, improves sleep and helps them perform “in the zone”.”
We are so honored and proud to be the official yoga providers for the Cleveland Indians organization. We offer yoga to the Cleveland Indians and their 4 affiliate teams in Ohio which include the Columbus Clippers, the Akron RubberDucks, the Lake County Captain and the Mahoning Valley Scrappers.
We also oversee the yoga program for the team in Lynchburg, VA and at the training facility in Goodyear, AZ. The two of us recently returned from Goodyear, Arizona where we continued to learn and grow our understanding of player needs, the organization's intentions and our relationships with the team.
We work with the Indians organization to offer Bliss at the Ballpark, a yoga event at Progressive Field. Students participate in a one hour yoga practice in the Right Field District at Progressive Field and receive tickets to a game where everyone who participates is recognized on the field during a pre-game Parade. Bliss in the Ballpark is a magical experience at the home of the Cleveland Indians.
What is the benefit of yoga for professional athletes?
Many professional sports teams are offering yoga as part of their training not only for its physical benefits for their players but for the mental benefits it offers. Baseball is not only a physical game but is a very mentally demanding sport. Yoga specifically for baseball players can help improve strength, flexibility and balance, decrease the chance of injury, improve core strength and body control and offers a chance for the players to recover.
Yoga is an experience that bridges both the physical and mental pieces of the game. Yoga increases focus, concentration and spacial awareness as well as reduces stress and anxiety. Teaching the players how to breathe a deep, mindful, deliberate breath gives them an edge for being able to calm their minds, stay present in the moment, improves sleep and helps them perform "in the zone".
What does the IBY teachers' involvement entail?
We have a talented group of teachers that work with the Indians and their affiliates. The teachers that are a part of this program for the 2018 season are: Tammy Lyons, Daneen Farrall, Sally Brooks, Shannon Sabol, Lanie McManus, Jackie Quinn, Katie Brown, Kim Rush and Anna Simi. From April though the beginning of September these teachers travel to the teams in cities all over Ohio to teach yoga to the players.
