Athletes for Yoga Look Ahead to 2020
Athletes everywhere are taking stock of 2019 and making goals for the New Year. We’re gleaning inspiration from the Athletes for Yoga Pros — here’s their look back at the highs, lessons, mantras, and more from 2019 + their look ahead to 2020 goals and how they’ll use yoga to get there!
MOST USED QUOTE OR MANTRA THIS SEASON
STEPHANIE HOWE | ULTRA RUNNER
Be Brave.
DEVON YANKO | DISTANCE + ULTRA RUNNER
A man who chases two rabbits catches none.
MICHAELA COPENHAVER | ROWER
What if I just did the work?
I have a history of bargaining with myself: What if I just cut it short, or decreased the intensity a little, or switched the days, or made it a little easier? So this year, I started asking myself, "What if I just did the work?"
ANDIE COZZARELLI | DISTANCE RUNNER
Learn from the past but live in the present so that your future self will thank your present self.
KENDRA CHAMBERS | MIDDLE DISTANCE RUNNER
Stay focused.
TED TREISE | TRIATHLETE
No Limits.
Maybe trending too much into Lionel and Kipchoge territory, but I love this. No human is limited.
HIGHEST HIGH IN 2019
STEPHANIE HOWE
Finishing on the podium at CCC with a huge smile during the entire race.
DEVON YANKO
It is a tie between qualifying for the Olympic Marathon Trials again and winning a National Championship in the 50 mile.
MICHAELA COPENHAVER
Earning one of four seats out of a group of twelve incredible athletes, through a grueling month-long camp filled with time trialing and racing. I wanted to give up and leave camp on multiple occasions, and I'm proud of myself for seeing it through and figuring out how to do my best in a stressful situation.
ANDIE COZZARELLI
Winning as a team at the Reebok 10k for women. I haven’t been running as well as I would like so the team win helped take away the self critical thoughts and pressures.
KENDRA CHAMBERS
Running healthy and pain free.
TED TREISE
In sport, it was my first tempo run back. I went in questioning if my knee would hold up and sure enough, it was ready. About a 6-inch smile was on my face for the rest of the day. I knew if I could do this workout and recover without pain, the injury was gone.
HARDEST LESSON IN 2019
STEPHANIE HOWE
Setbacks happen, even if you do everything right. Being adaptable and accepting of the present is important.
DEVON YANKO
Just because you are fit doesn't mean you are going to have the race you want. Sometimes you are super fit and can't even get on the starting line.
MICHAELA COPENHAVER
I didn't trust my instincts, instead giving too much weight to the advice of trusted others.
ANDIE COZZARELLI
I have to make time for myself. Looking externally to fill any voids of unhappiness will just take away from the ability to self care. I didn’t realize what I had done until I reached a low point. Asking for help is also never something to be ashamed of.
KENDRA CHAMBERS
Understanding that even when everything seems to be falling apart there’s always hope, always a positive side and always a way to get better!
TED TREISE
More Patience on the time it takes to improve in this sport. It's easy to get wrapped up in the times and watts cycle of where one should be vs where they're at. Just takes time.
MOST USED ATHLETES FOR YOGA VIDEO IN 2019
STEPHANIE HOWE
KENDRA CHAMBERS
TED TREISE
Steph's Long Run Reset — I do this after each run, one variation or another.
2020 GOALS
STEPHANIE HOWE
UTMB! And, continue to foster a good relationship between my body and adventuring.
DEVON YANKO
Be true to my authentic self.
MICHAELA COPENHAVER
2020 will be my final year of elite rowing, and I'd like to finish the season knowing that I brought love, care, joy and presence to as many minutes as possible. And when the season is over, I know it will be a difficult process transitioning away from full-time training, and I'd like to give myself the time and space to struggle with it.
ANDIE COZZARELLI
Improving my mental health and confidence. Confidence has been a theme in a lot of the mistakes I’ve made and the struggles I’ve dealt with. I think this comes first as a goal if I want other goals to come to fruition. Beyond that I want to keep growing my coaching business and make time for more things that make me happy. For running I just want to focus on day by day improvement. Set new present PRs until I can reach the point where I’m chasing down old PRs.
KENDRA CHAMBERS
My goals in 2020 are to regain control in my mind about how my running career and life are “supposed” to be and let go and let God. My running career goals are to make the Olympic Trials final in the 800 meters and make my first Olympic team. I also want to continue my career in sports administration! I truly want to enjoy the journey, smile more often, and appreciate the grind!
TED TREISE
The goal pyramid within 2020 has “place top 5 within a 70.3” at the top. However, many process driven things lie beneath that. Things such as nutrition, improving my bike and equipment, swimming, and mobility.
HOW WILL YOU USE YOGA TO SUPPORT THOSE GOALS?
STEPHANIE HOWE
My body needs some TLC right now. I plan to use Athletes for Yoga to get my mental/physical/spiritual self back in alignment.
DEVON YANKO
I'm getting older so the more I need the "extras" like yoga to keep me running fast and far! My focus in 2020 is to prioritize yoga to keep my body healthy and feeling strong.
MICHAELA COPENHAVER
This year is all about being present, and yoga is a practice in presence. I'd also like to leave the sport with a healthier body than what I brought to it — better mobility, less stickiness, and more awareness. Yoga is the perfect tool to accomplish all those goals.
ANDIE COZZARELLI
I will use yoga to continue to be more mindful and prevent injury. Staying focused on what I can do to be better will help me long term. Emphasizing recovery is a part of training and maintaining a yoga practice that improves that should be prioritized just as much as running. Training doesn’t have to be perfect but I need my body to be happy above all else.
KENDRA CHAMBERS
By using videos to strengthen any weaknesses I have from prior injuries and maintaining flexibility and core strength!
TED TREISE
I think yoga can be seen in all factors of life within 2020. Whether yoga is being used during hard workouts to focus 100% of my energy into the muscles needed instead of wasted energy in unnecessary muscles. Or to calm down after a hard workout and focus on whatever else the day brings.
What are your goals? How will you use yoga to reach them? Share + lead with #athletesforyoga!