Yoga for Young Athletes: mobility, recovery, injury prevention.

Dear Parent and Athletes,

Thank you for your interest in yoga for your young athlete(s). This is an introduction to me, Sylvia Ferguson, my approach, and what they can expect. More about me at my full bio here.

I have been teaching yoga for close to 30 years, largely in the community in Rathfarnham and Firhouse, but also on retreats world-wide, in corporate settings, schools, clubs and with professional athletes. As a yoga teacher I am trained in the mechanics of moving the body, and as a Masters of Science in Mindfulness Based Interventions (UCD) I am qualified in teaching participants how to guide their thoughts. From the moment they land on the mat the yogis are taught to anchor the awareness in the body. This not only facilitates skilled movement, and an awareness of limitations, but it teaches them how to meditate, how to switch off the noisy-mind, and how to find relaxation at will. The benefits reach long beyond the hour on the mat!

We just launched the classes in November 2026 and already we are off to a great start with excellent feedback. Yoga will run right up until Thursday December 10th (5.30-6.30pm) and will return on Thursday 7th January. Right now we have ages 10-16 in the room but with time I may split the group into a younger and an older group. However, they are all taught adults yoga, classic Hatha Yoga that will equip them for life to partake in any yoga class anywhere in the world and feel at ease. Yoga is increasing in popularity everywhere and finally it is cool! (It used to be just for the hippies lol).

I have taught in schools in the area, with sports clubs such as BBSE, Cuala GAA and St. Anne’s. I have worked with the Irish Ruby Team, Michael Dara McAuley, Jane Shorthall, I understand the mind of an athlete/professional dancer and their incredible drive. My job is to teach balanced action.

The safety of your child is top priority for me, therefore I would always ask for a quick chat in person, on the phone, or via Whatsapp, to see if there is anything unique to your child I should know about; injuries, hypermobility, anxiety, anything at all. If they have been injured please get the Doctor’s or the Physio’s blessing before coming to yoga. Please bring a copy of any physiotherapy exercises with them so I can incorporate them into the class. I would appreciate your guidelines on collection as it is a busy, dark, carpark outside and I am more than happy accommodate a child waiting in the room with me for a parent to arrive. I have an adults class following this one from 6.45-7.45pm on Thursdays in The Park Community Centre.

Yoga teaches us healthy movement patters and functional strength. It offers us a chance to explore movement in the body that is not competitive, but rather encourages a harmony of action, weaker muscles get stronger, tighter muscles can relax. Yoga influences your posture so you move with more ease and grace. Yoga can also influence breathing which in turn improves both performance and recovery.

They will learn:

Movement patterns that emphasise fluid, adaptable strength

Safe stretching techniques that feel great, and aid recovery

Breathing techniques to boost performance… and to aid quality sleep

Focusing-attention techniques so you they keep their head in the game, especially when things are stressful

De-stressing techniques for life.

The class consists of - movement - strong yoga poses - stretching - fun, challenging yoga poses - balance (and falling over) - breathing practices - relaxation tools. Estimate half the time challenging and learning something new, half the time stretching, relaxing and letting the new learning settle in.

Suitable for all younger people - you do not have to be an athlete. All of these tools apply equally to exam-stress. For now classes are limited to secondary school students and older primary school kids, please enquire if you are an interested adult or you’d like to chat to me about working with your team or club.

Please bring:

Warm layers you can move in, a tracksuit or leggings is perfect.

Warm hoody and warm socks for relaxation.

Yoga is typically done barefoot, I’ll continue to suggest that and see what happens! Many of them are happier in socks and that’s fine too. I like the socks that have the grips on the bottom as they prevent slipping on the mat.

Bring a yoga mat if you have one, otherwise a large towel like a beach towel. A small folded blanket is also handy, we roll this up for cushioning and throw it over for final relaxation. They all adore the final relaxation and I skillfully guide them at this stage so they learn techniques they can apply themselves to aid sleep, or just simply to relax the body.

To book please contact me by Whatsapp on 0876822362 or email sylviaferg@yahoo.com. Payment is €15 per class please, I will run a 5-week courses for €50 beginning in January. You can pay at the links on my website here, by revolut to 0876822362 or cash on the night.

I am so delighted to have this up and running and really appreciate all the interest and really positive feedback to date. I am here for any questions at all.

Kindest regards,

Sylvia

sylviayoga.com

0876822362