Southlake (Texas) Carroll High is one of the nation's most prominent prep football programs. Annual contenders for the state title in the Lone Star State's largest classification, the Dragons have famously rabid fans … not to mention customized license plates and everything else under the sun.
Now, the Dragons even have an alternative lifestyle workout plan as unique as the rest of the team's assets. In a drive to improve what already works, Southlake Carroll's football team is using yoga in its workouts.
Yes, yoga. Teens hyper-trained to be competitive on the field are now trying to find inner peace in occasional workouts. Perhaps surprisingly, the team hasn't even been resistant to it so far, with star quarterback Kenny Hill -- remember him from last fall's fox dash? -- telling the Dallas Morning News' Matt Wixon that he felt "pretty good" after a recent yoga workout.
In theory, incorporating yoga into more traditional routines makes all the sense in the world. Among other physical and spiritual benefits, yoga can greatly enhance flexibility. It can also build core strength.
It seems obvious that those are the benefits the Carroll coaching staff are hoping for, rather than the more spiritual calm that comes from the practice. After all, Carroll's defense will be doing everything it can to wreak havoc on the Allen (Texas) High offense when the two powerhouses open their respective seasons against each other on Friday night.
If they win, the Dragons might even get to celebrate with a quick Ashtanga routine on the field. Then again, just such a workout might be just as helpful if they lose. Such is the benefit of yoga.
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