In 2010 the Cornell Basketball Team won the Ivy League and even advanced to the "Sweet 16" in the NCAA Tournament. Over a year later, five of the team's players are playing professionally in Europe. So how are they prepping this off-season?

Yoga!

(As a former college basketball player at Columbia, I LOVE this!)

The New York Times reports that five former Cornell teammates are living in New York and have been hitting classes at the 92nd Street Y together as they prep to go play professionally overseas. One of the players, 7-footer, Jeff Foote, makes me look small at 6'7" :)

When speaking about being a 7-footer doing yoga, Jeff says, "It's a little difficult when you're 7 feet tall.... We used to do it as a team a little at Cornell, but never quite like that."

Randy Wittman, the 2010 Ivy League player of the year, said of their yoga practice:

"We probably should be in a beginner’s class, but we decided to give it a try.... I’ve noticed a big difference since I began doing it this summer. It helps with flexibility, quickness and durability."

Namaste to that!


image via Jorge Castillo/NY Times

Tags: pro athletes, yoga, Yoga for Men