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As a fisherman, you know the key to a successful day is to remain dedicated and patient so that you can outlast those big fish.
It can be frustrating for cast after cast to come up empty, and standing or sitting for so long can leave your body feeling stiff and achey, luckily there's a practice that take care of both issues for you! (I bet you can guess!)
You need the physical strength to remain poised and patient, casting your line for hours on end. You need steady breathing and a clear, focused mind to stay present and not get rattled when a monster catch is on the line. And you need the ability to let go of frustration and discouragement when the bites just aren't happening. Yoga is the perfect practice for this! There is no equipment needed, it's easy to learn, and just 15 minutes before and/or after your fishing trip will do you wonders.
While yoga may seem like an odd suggestion for enhancing your fishing prowess, the ancient practice is perfectly suited for cultivating exactly those qualities that make a masterful angler. Here's how:
Strengthen Your Body for Long Sits and Stands
Whether you're wading in a stream or parked in a boat, fishing often requires standing or sitting in one position for extended periods. This can quickly lead to fatigue, muscle strain, and discomfort that impacts your performance. Yoga's poses work on building full-body strength, flexibility, and endurance - allowing you to hold sturdy stances with ease for those marathon outings.
Goin' Fishing Flow
This is a simple flow that you can do to prepare yourself for a long day of fishing.
Neck rolls, shoulder shrugs
Seated twist, side ends, cat-cows
Forward fold
High Lunge
Standing back bend
Meditation or Savasana
Here are some of the physical benefits yoga can bring to your fishing game:
Improved balance and agility: Yoga poses help navigate uneven terrain, slippery rocks, and boat movement.
Increased strength and flexibility: Better casting technique, reduced muscle fatigue, and easier handling of fish.
Injury prevention: Yoga improves core strength and posture, reducing back pain common among anglers.
Control Your Breath, Control Your Calm
There's no denying the thrill and adrenaline rush when you finally get a nibble on your line after hours of waiting. But losing your cool and letting your breathing become rapid and shallow could make you rush, which can lead to an empty hook. Your breath is a reflection of the mind and if your breathing fast, your stress levels will rise and can make it easy to lose your patience. Instead of taking your time to really set the hook or reeling the fish in slowly, you could end up pulling the hook right out of their mouth or struggling with the fish so much that they break the line. Yoga's breathing practices (pranayama) teach techniques for staying relaxed and centered even when excited. You'll learn how to control your inhales and exhales to keep your heart rate steady and avoid a frantic, overeager energy on the water.
Cultivate Patience and Presence
Some days, the fish just won't bite no matter what you try. You can let frustration and disappointment put a dark cloud over the whole experience - or you can choose to stay patient and appreciate the beauty of nature around you. Yoga and meditation foster the ability to let go of expectations, be present in the current moment, and find peace even when things aren't going your way. You'll learn not to beat yourself up over a bad fishing trip and be mentally recharged for the next outing.
Here's how breathwork and meditation can help you fish:
Enhanced focus and concentration: Yoga promotes mindfulness, leading to a calmer and more present state for spotting fish and reacting to bites.
Patience and perseverance: Yoga teaches acceptance and staying present in the moment, valuable traits for enduring long fishing trips without frustration
Practical Applications
Pre-fishing yoga routine: A short sequence to improve flexibility and focus before heading out.
Yoga poses for common fishing situations: Specific poses to target areas of the body used most while fishing (casting, wading, etc.)
So whether you're a weekend warrior hitting the lake or a die-hard all-season angler, adding some yoga into your training and pre-fishing routine can absolutely take your skills to the next level. With increased strength and stamina, steadier nerves, heightened focus, and a heart full of patience - no fish will be able to get away!
