Players reflect on pre-season training at Yogafurie - Part 2
6 March 2018
As part of a busy pre-season training schedule, the Gloucestershire team joined forces with local yoga business YogaFurie based on Ashley Down Road.
The team have been practicing hot yoga in 35+ degree heat, working on flexibility, balance, strength and control with the instruction and help of trainer Ed Wood.
With the sessions now finished, there’s no doubt that the team believe the training has been beneficial. The work had been challenging but the players have certainly felt the benefits of learning Yoga and its techniques in tough conditions.
Take a look and see what the players had to say about their time with Ed at YogaFurie.
"Certainly wasn't what I expected, but in a good way! Great to get away from training and do something completely different. My breathing technique has improved hugely along with flexibility.
Enjoyed the classes with Ed so much so myself and a few of the other lads went to extra classes.
Great experience!" Ollie Currill
"Ed has worked us all very hard and at points I felt like I wasn't going to be strong enough and flexibility enough to do some of the exercises, but the beauty of hot yoga is that there are many levels of difficulty to each exercise which means people of all abilities can take part in the same class. As the weeks went by I felt myself progressing through these levels as my strength, flexibility and confidence grew.
Thanks to everyone at YogaFurie" Chris Dent
"Very tough 6/7 weeks but also very enjoyable and interesting. Really helped my movement and makes you realise the effect breathing can have, making positions and movements easier and accessible. Ed really clear and helpful. Great Teacher. Would 100% go again." Callum Gregory
"I thought the yoga session we have been doing over the 7 weeks have been very challenging but also very helpful to me as an athlete. Between the first and last session I could easily see improvements in my flexibility as I was doing and completing the holds for the duration of the time. I also liked the way Ed described the movements and demonstrated them, but maybe going a bit too fast at times for my standard haha. I would definitely do more sessions after Christmas as I feel it benefits me a lot!" George Drissell
"The yoga with Ed and yogafurie has been extremely beneficial for me, and I'm sure for all the lads at Gloucester. One of my big aims for this winter is to become a more competent mover, and improve on my range of motion and core strength. I have already felt a massive improvement since i started taking part in eds yoga classes. It's tough satisfying work that I recommend to anyone." Miles Hammond
Very tough but enjoyable 6 weeks with @Yogafurie thanks so much for giving up your time for us 👍 #hotyoga #preseason #yoga #hot pic.twitter.com/HYdkYy5JeO
— Chris Dent (@Cdent15) December 14, 2017
"I knew that yoga would be an really positive addition to our winter programme and I was delighted when Ed agreed to hosting us at Yoga Furie. He exceeded all expectations in what he delivered. He is obviously a real expert in his profession and I became fascinated over the weeks in his method of communication and the development of the work over the 6 weeks that we spent with him. The lads have really pushed themselves in the heat of the studio and taken on difficult progressions of the poses.
From a performance point of view we have seen paralleled improvements in gym based movement quality alongside the Yoga Furie sessions. Our players have finished the training block more flexible and stronger in key end-range positions that become a feature of their cricket and S&C training in the New Year."
Bob Smith
