For Rays, spring is about stretching, salutations

Team hopes yoga class will prevent injuries.

By MARC TOPKIN
Published February 24, 2007

ST. PETERSBURG - At first glance, this might seem like a stretch.

But after having 17 players miss 965 days with injuries last season, the Devil Rays were open to anything that might keep their players healthier.

And that includes the Grasshopper Lunge, Pigeon, Child's Pose, Downward Dog and Sun Salutation.

Fielding, running, pitching and hitting are standard spring subjects, but the Rays are also working on their breathing, stretching, relaxation and core stabilization in morning yoga classes.

"My two primary goals are to help them prevent injury and enhance performance," instructor Dana Edison said. "Who can argue with something like that?"

Not the Rays. After researching the subject, head trainer Ron Porterfield and strength and conditioning coach Kevin Barr suggested to the front office it hire Edison, a Boston-based yoga instructor who has worked individually for years with pro athletes in all major sports.

Edison, with some experience as a personal trainer, put together a six-class, two-week program, detailed to the point of being position-specific, to teach the players basic moves, which they can continue on their own. About 12-15 players have attended each of the first three optional hourlong sessions.

Given that several Rays had sampled some forms of yoga - "My wife made me," infielder/outfielder Greg Norton said - the concept was greeted more with quiet enthusiasm or indifference rather than ridicule.

Some simply shook their heads and laughed: "How do you say it, yo-ga?" baseball lifer Don Zimmer asked. "I don't know much about that."

Others stayed away because they were concerned about straining a muscle at the start of camp and/or disrupting their routines. But at least a few have been impressed by the benefits and plan to continue.

"I've heard good things about it," pitcher Shawn Camp said. "So why not take advantage of it?"

Manager Joe Maddon hasn't participated because of scheduling conflicts but expects yoga to become more common with teams. Executive vice president Andrew Friedman figured the benefit was worth the expense - as well as any teasing.

"We're so centrally focused on injury prevention that anything we can do to try to gain an advantage in it, we're going to pursue," he said. "I think the exercises and the ideas behind it make intuitive sense, and I don't really see a downside to doing it."

Edison is something of a yoga guru, touting the physical and mental benefits to the players. But she is also a savvy marketer, acknowledging that being petite, perky and pretty helps attendance in her sessions.

"When I'm in a situation like this where I'm training a team, I try to show up early. I don't mind. Let it spread - "Oh, wow, have you seen the yoga instructor? She's not what you expected.' So curiosity is something," Edison said.

"I know what I look like is part of the marketing and packaging. If it gets them in the door the first time, fine, that works for me. But I'm not so nave that I think it will be the draw to keep bringing them back. If they come back a second time, it's because of the benefit. I know that."

Others had their own reasons for giving it a try. "They were using the weight room," outfielder/DH Jonny Gomes said. "So it was either go in there and check it out or sit around and eat cereal."

[Last modified February 24, 2007, 01:26:01]