A dozen or so Mariners — among them are Mike Sweeney, Eric Byrnes, Matt Tuiasosopo, Steven Baron and Rob Johnson — are on the grass outside the clubhouse going through a yoga class.
They all have their mats and are following the instruction of Sarah Potts, an instructor from Seattle who is introducing the team to yoga. Every player on the team will go through an introductory class this week, and Potts will return later in spring training and lead classes for those who want to pursue it.
“Yoga is perfect for baseball players as far as core stability, lengthening muscles, your hamstrings, your back,” infielder Jack Hannahan said. “Yoga is something that I’ll always do now. It makes your body feel so much better.”
Hannahan took a yoga class three and four times a week during the offseason, taking Bikram Yoga, also known as “hot” yoga because it’s done in a room heated to nearly 100 degrees.
“It was tough the first time I did it,” he said. “And I mean real rough. The first time, I could barely do anything. Your heartrate is going and it’s real hot in the room. I thought I was going to throw up.”
This afternoon’s session was held outside in 70-degree weather. No report yet on how difficult it was for the players, although the instructor certainly was all business.
Sweeney, as you’d expect, was gabbing through much of the session and had the 19-year-old Baron laughing so hard he couldn’t hold a pose. That’s when Potts, the instructor, spoke up.
“We’re going to keep going if you keep talking,” she said.
First time we’ve seen Sweeney speechless in a while.
Later, in the clubhouse, manager Don Wakamatsu asked Jose Lopez if he was taking the yoga class.
“Yeah,” Lopez said as he prepared to leave for the day. “Yeah, right.”
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