“Yoga gave me a new knee…”
Yoga for Athletes
A series of interviews
With Bibby Burgos
Bibby Burgos is the founder of Kite Legend School and president of the Asociacion de Vela in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Bibby is a recent graduate of the 500 hour certfication with Rise + Vibe and the newest member of our YTT instructor squad. In addition to being an avid yogi, Bibby is a sponsored kitesurfer for Cabrinha, a dive master, has his STCW and enjoys sports of all kinds, but especially those that involve getting out in nature! His classes are full of Caribbean chispa, igniting, inviting and fun. Send Bibby an email to learn more about his private coaching (offered virtually + worldwide) or visit www.yogakitecamp.com to learn more about yoga classes + kitesurfing with us in the DR. We hope you enjoy the first of the Yoga for Athletes series in our blog and can leave your requests or suggestions for future topics in out comments. Thank you, Bibby and welcome to the Rise + Vibe Instructor Team!
Tell us a little about the sports you’ve practiced in the past and how they have impacted your body…
When I was younger playing basketball was the first time I felt a little pain in my back. I moved too quickly and something tightened up, but I’ve always felt good in my body. As a kid I played baseball, basketball, and practiced skateboarding, biking or whatever I could get my hands (and feet) on. Now I’m a hiker, scuba diver, fisherman, boxer and I love all sports, so my body has been through a lot. I’ve always liked staying active to keep healthy, socialize, have some fun, stay busy and focus the mind. My knees have always felt OK until I was learning to kitesurf in choppy water. I had a hard board, my beginner’s technique and the build-up over my lifetime was a ‘perfect’ combo causing something to snap in my knee.
How did that feel?
I was doing a downwinder at the boulevard after a long session in the water and I was a little bit tired, but the adrenaline and good wind kept me going. Then I went upwind for a frontside turn in the lip but the chop in the wave pushed back against the board and twisted my knee in the opposite direction. I let some power out of my kite and stayed in the water before recovering my board. As a floated there I wasn’t sure how bad it was, I had heard a ‘crack’ so I took some time before I tried standing on the board again. When I did get back to my board, my knee actually felt fine.
How have you handled your knee injury?
Over time my knee would occasionally swell, feel weak and I could tell something was imbalanced in my knees. Sure enough, when I had my knees scanned the doctor told me my MCL was completely torn. While he was anxious to recommend I surgery, I decided to talk to some of my pro kiter friends and keep up with my newly found yoga practice.
When and why did you start to practice yoga?
I started practicing yoga 3 years ago but a few years earlier I had a membership at the gym and all I did was stretching. I was spending my time kiting anytime the wind was blowing and would get bored at home when the wind died. I spent my non-wind time cross training with a lot of side body stretching, lunges, core strengthening, bridging, twists and many dynamic movements. One difference I noticed as soon as I started yoga was that I felt energized. Sessions at the gym or in the water would leave me exhausted while yoga kept me feeling youthful, sharp and fresh. Any practice that can keep me healthy and enjoying the things I love most in life is worth investing in, so now I practice everyday.
Which practices in yoga have helped you the most?
I didn’t think much about how I was using my knees until I started practicing yoga and after my injury. With careful attention to my movement, little by little my knees would recover faster after sessions and within a few months I had found ways to move and stay pain free in my body. Some of the asanas that help to strengthen and balance my knees are basically all the postures in the Ashtanga series (I don’t practice lotus), but especially Janu Sirsasana, Virabhadrasana and balancing postures. Ujjayi pranayama and the bandhas have helped me with my posture and balance on the board. I feel more connected to my gear when I’m active in the water plus the simple practices add an intense level of mental focus. The breath has helped me build stamina, especially for going upwind and the increased lung capacity has helped my diving when I’m spearfishing!
How do your knees feel now when you go surfing or kitesurfing?
Now I feel like I have a new knee! It has been two years of practice, mindful attention to my movement on land + in the water and really listening to my body. When I go kitesurfing, surfing or engage in any other sports I have no problems in my knees. I’ve also learned that the reason I felt exhausted before was due to adrenaline. If I can keep my nervous system in check with breathing and concentration while I kite it’s much more efficient and enjoyable!
Do you have any advice for athletes seeking longevity in their sport + life?
Don’t wait to get injured to start yoga! Yoga is there for you now and there are classes for all levels. Be able to enjoy your sports with focus, relaxation and wisdom while taking yourself to the next level. Yoga will help you progress in sports but it will also help you through life, relationships, transitions, etc. It opened my mind to this light or energy that made me realize we can be a part of nature if we let go a little bit. I want to be able to kitesurf for as long as I’m standing on this planet and swimming in the Caribbean Sea… I feel so lucky that yoga is the practice that can gives me that guarantee (and a new knee!).
**Please note yoga is a great supplement to healing and cross-training for athletes. In the case of injury you should always consult a doctor first, especially before starting a new activity! We hope to hear from you soon. Here’s a postures you can try to build stability in the mean time…
Virabhadrasana
Warrior 2 - This posture is so powerful! Keep your shoulders soft, your neck long and your core drawing in and up from the pelvic floor. The knee should be stacked strong and stable directly over the ankle! Breath deep in and out the nose…