Me and My Rugby Players

Me And My Rugby Players

By Chris Amery

 

        

Dear nisha 

  

A Nisha Market taken from Wigan today read it in full click here

Pilates and Yoga instructor Nisha Srivastava at her studio in St Helens

DON'T be fooled by Nisha Srivastava's slender 5ft 7ins frame, she thinks nothing of whipping rugby players into shape.

And the top yoga and pilates teacher, who has already worked with Wigan Warriors for several years, has now expanded into working for the England rugby league side and Everton FC, too.

But Nisha told how the task of getting groups of hulking rugby players to get the most out of her post-match recovery sessions has not always been plain sailing.

She said: "If you're not confident when you first go in there and you don't know your stuff then there's always a chance they might not get on and do it. You have to be quite strict to start with - if you go in all soppy they won't take you seriously at all.

"You do get a bit of sniggering and messing about at times but you have to be willing to have a bit of banter with them - they've got to enjoy it too.

"The key thing is to let them know why it's important that they do it and what benefits they can get out of it. My aim is always to focus their minds and ensure they enjoy a quick recovery from a game or training session - not to kill them off.

"Typically, it's the older players who get the most out of my sessions. It can help prolong their careers. But I've seen real improvements and a change of attitude from all the players.

"They enjoy seeing themselves getting better at the yoga - it's not something they can just master in five minutes."

Nisha, who runs the North West Pilates and Yoga Centre, was recently booked to help the England rugby league team's preparations for the Autumn International Series and has now been working with Everton FC three times a week for the last five months.

And she also told how she tailors her programmes to suit each individual player's role in the team.

She added: "In New Zealand and Australia they've been way ahead of us in terms of using yoga and pilates with their top sportsmen and women.

"At Wigan, the New Zealanders tend to be the most spiritual and the Aussie lads often have a fire in them, while the English lads are true gentlemen.

"I've even started doing a little bit of philosophy in the sessions too. Some of the lads really enjoy it."

 Candlelight Yoga

Wednesday 5th December

6.30-7.30pm

St.Helens United Reform Church

Bring a Non Slip Yoga Mat

Cost £5