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There’s no argument, Tom Brady is one of the greatest athletes of all time. In his new book The TB12 Method, the GOAT shares his method for a lifetime of high performance. Digging into the book, we realized Tom Brady’s TB12 principles can benefit every yoga participant too. Here are some of our favorite principles you can apply for high performance at any age.
TB12 Principle #8 – Proper Hydration
Hydration is important for many functions in the body. Most people realize the importance of hydrating before, during, and after exercise, but often neglect to do so throughout the day. Staying hydrated is important for both performance and recovery.
Drinking water is a great way to stay hydrated, but it isn’t your only option. In Tom Brady’s TB12 principles, he discusses the benefits of electrolytes. We leak essential minerals from our bodies when we sweat. And there’s no shortage of sweat here at the YogaSol studio.
As a result, we highly recommend replenishing liquids and essential minerals with water and electrolytes after you practice with us. Especially to our beginners.
Read all of our beginner yoga tips here.
The most common electrolytes used for supplementation are sodium, magnesium, and potassium. Some people have more trouble than others keeping their electrolyte levels in the optimum range.
Signs of Dehydration
You don’t want to wait for signs of dehydration before you begin hydrating. By then, your body is already suffering. Instead, drink plenty of water and other fluids throughout the day.
The most common symptom of dehydration is thirst. Thirst is the body’s signal that you need more fluids. And that can lead to dehydration. Other symptoms of dehydration include weakness, headaches, nausea, dizziness, and cramps. Your tongue and lips may also feel uncomfortably dry.
Adding electrolytes can be beneficial even when you are not exercising. Roughly half of Americans are magnesium deficient. Your body can process and excrete excess electrolytes within reason. And the boosted hydration levels will give you more energy. As a result, you feel better both physically and mentally.
Coconut Water for Hydration
If you would prefer to get your hydration in a more natural way, give coconut water a try. The clear liquid inside of coconuts is different than coconut milk. And coconut water has naturally occurring electrolytes. As a result, Coconut water has fewer calories than most other electrolyte products. Coconut water is a popular rehydration choice because it is an all-natural way to rehydrate.
Considerations for Electrolytes
The main consideration when adding electrolyte supplements to your diet is calorie count and sweeteners. There is quite a range of calories and sweeteners used in various electrolyte drinks. Therefore, be sure to check nutrition labels before using electrolyte products. We have quite a few available for you at the studio. Be sure to check them out next time you visit.
Importance of Hydration
If you do not normally work out under hot conditions, you may assume your hydration levels are fine. Even if you are not experiencing symptoms of dehydration, your hydration levels may be less than optimal. During day-to-day life, it can be challenging to get all of the nutrients you need to remain healthy. Remaining hydrated is one way to help ensure you feel your best.
The TB12 principles suggest drinking half your body weight in ounces each day. The medical community hesitates to recommend the same amount, especially for those who are heavier. However, all agree that most of us are not drinking enough water each day.
The benefits of being properly hydrated are numerous. Your body uses water for many functions, including regulating temperature, delivering nutrients, helping organs to function, and keeping your joints properly lubricated.
Proper hydration also helps you sleep better, boosts your mood, and improves cognition.
Yoga and Pilates for TB12 Principle #1 – Pliability
Tom Brady’s TB12 principles emphasize the importance of pliability, and for good reason. Many people believe that fitness is made up of cardiovascular exercise and strength workouts. While those are two important parts of a balanced fitness program, the TB12 principles call for more. Tom Brady believes keeping your muscles lengthened and softened is key to preventing injuries.
And that’s more than just being flexible!
Yoga and pilates are great ways to lengthen and soften the muscles in your body, adding pliability to your life. Not only do you gain physical flexibility from these practices, but mental flexibility as well. Increasing your pliability allows you to better handle whatever life throws your way.
How Yoga Helps Your Pliability
The deep breathing, and tightening and release of your muscles during yoga poses, produces many benefits for your body. A regular yoga practice will improve your balance, flexibility, and strength. Our members often sing the praises of their yoga practice in recovering from injuries or preventing pain.
Graham G experienced these pliability benefits with his yoga practice. “I came as a beginner seeking physical restoration, with persistent back pain and poor flexibility. Within months my back pain vanished and over time I received benefits I could have never imagined.”
If you have any preexisting health conditions, yoga may be the missing ingredient in your treatment plan. Yoga can help ease the pain of arthritis and back pain, improve heart health, improve sleep quality, and boost your energy levels and mood.
How Pilates Promotes Pliability
Pilates is another great workout to improve performance and recovery. Great for strengthening the core, these benefits carry over into other areas of your life. Pilates increases flexibility, improves posture, promotes relaxation in your upper body, helps to stabilize the spine, and improves lung capacity and circulation.
Individuals who spend a great deal of time working at a desk, bent over a computer, will really feel the benefits of adding a pilates practice to their lifestyle. Originally designed as a rehabilitation program for dancers, pilates workouts are widely accessible, regardless of your current fitness level. The movements are easily modified, and the workouts are challenging but attainable for beginners and experienced athletes alike.
Why Pliability is an Important Fitness Goal
Tom Brady’s TB12 program realizes the importance of pliability, and his long and successful career is a testament to its effectiveness. The big difference in pliability and other strengthening and conditioning programs is the equal emphasis on lengthening and softening of the muscles. Brady does not believe in the normal emphasis on weights, weights, and more weights, with a little cardio sprinkled in.
People who work to increase pliability notice many health gains. They reduce their risk of injury. This is because a strong, long, soft body withstands stress more easily. Think of a tree that can stand and bend in the harshest weather.
It’s similar to the way they build earthquake resistant buildings in Japan. There must be as much give as strength to remain standing as the world shifts around you.
It’s all about balance. A good yoga and pilates program improve muscular imbalances. And muscular imbalances often cause of injuries. Improving your pliability will not cure all of your problems, but it is an excellent start.
Ready to Increase Your Longevity and Performance Using TB12 Principles?
Curious how Tom Brady’s TB12 principles can improve your life? Visit us for a yoga or pilates class. We will help you add moving meditation to your life. Once your class is over, grab a cool bottle of water, electrolyte drink, or some coconut water to finish off your workout. We can’t wait to see you.
