International Yoga Day 2019: From Sachin Tendulkar to Lionel Messi, 5 Athletes Who Practice Yoga

International Day of Yoga is observed worldwide on June 21 every year. Mental calmness is as important as physical fitness and the regular practice of yoga can give you both. Modern-day fitness may be dominated by gyming and weight lifting but still, the benefits of yoga are unmatchable. Many athletes of different sports perform yoga in order to keep their body fit. So, from 'God of Cricket' Sachin Tendulkar to Argentine football great, Lionel Messi, here are the top five athletes from around the world who perform yoga regularly. International Day of Yoga 2019: From Kareena Kapoor to Kangana Ranaut, Bollywood Actors Who Love to Perform Yogasanas.

Lionel Messi 

The captain of the Argentina football team and Barcelona forward is considered as one of the fittest athletes around the world and his agility on the field is a force to be reckoned with. Lionel Messi performs many exercises but usually finishes his day with yoga as this keeps his blood pumped and muscles relaxed. His special power yoga plan is designed by his long-time yoga instructor Rodney Yee.

Novak Djokovic

One of the modern tennis greats, Novak is considered one of the most elite athletes across the globe. The Serbian player and current World No 1 is known for his clean eating, but not many know that he also performs yoga to achieve a relaxed state of consciousness. It is said that mental fitness is as important as physical fitness for an athlete and that’s what Djokovic completely believes in.

LeBron James

The NBA star started practising yoga way back in 2009 to resolve his back issues. And his performances after that period shows how yoga helped him return to his best form. According to him, yoga helped in not only resolving his back issues, but also increasing his stamina.

Michael Phelps

The veteran is having 22 Olympic medals around his neck and is unarguably the greatest swimmer of all time. The southpaw performs yoga regularly in order to keep his muscles relaxed and stamina high. He’s a great ambassador of yoga and credits the yogasanas for his agility.

Sachin Tendulkar

The all-time leading run-scorer in international cricket is also known to perform yoga regularly. Yoga was his ultimate fitness regime and you would have seen him performing it many times. Sachin Tendulkar was taught yoga by the renowned yoga instructor BKS Iyengar. Yoga helped him a lot in his 23-year- old-career and he also suggests athletes around the world to perform yoga regularly.

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So, these are the top five players from different sports, who perform yoga regularly. Yoga doesn’t only help in keeping you fit but it cures several physical ailments and provide mental peace. And these players' performances over the years is proof of it.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 21, 2019 03:45 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).