Created in 2012 by England Boxing Coach, Matt Garcia, and yoga teacher, Kajza Ekberg, Boxing Yoga is a specialised form of yoga that blends elements of traditional yoga practice with movements and techniques inspired by boxing.
It was developed to help boxers improve their flexibility, strength, balance, and mental focus, while also providing a form of cross-training that complements their boxing training regimen.
Although designed for fighters, the benefits of this groundbreaking system are for everyone, with Boxing Yoga used by professional athletes, yogis and fitness enthusiasts around the world, leading to Men’s Health describing it as ‘one of the best classes in the UK’ and a ‘fitness phenomenon' by Forever Sports.
In Boxing Yoga, practitioners typically perform a series of dynamic and static yoga poses (asanas) that are specifically designed to target areas of the body used in boxing, such as the shoulders, hips, core, and legs. These poses help improve flexibility, mobility, and range of motion, which are essential for boxing movements like punching, footwork, and defensive maneuvers.
In addition to yoga poses, Boxing Yoga incorporates breathing techniques (pranayama) to help practitioners develop better breath control, stamina, and relaxation under pressure, all of which are beneficial for boxing performance.
The practice of Boxing Yoga also emphasises mental focus and mindfulness, encouraging practitioners to cultivate a calm and focused mindset, which can enhance their performance in the ring.
Overall, Boxing Yoga offers a holistic approach to fitness and wellness, combining the physical benefits of yoga with the mental and physical conditioning required for boxing. It is suitable for individuals of all fitness levels, including both boxers and non-boxers, who are looking to improve their overall fitness, flexibility, and mental resilience.
Whatever your boxing or yoga experience, even if you are a complete beginner to both, the self-paced, online Boxing Yoga Teacher Training course has been designed to provide all the knowledge, guidance and training you need to become a certified Boxing Yoga Coach, wherever you are in the world.