1.15.26 I BEHIND THE SCENES WITH USA MEN’S WATER POLO: YOGA’S ROLE IN OLYMPIC SUCCESS I KRISTIN VARNER

 Dubbed one of the toughest sports on the planet, water polo combines the endurance of swimming, the physicality of wrestling, and the strategy of basketball - all while treading water. It’s brutal, relentless, and uncompromising.

That’s why the USA Men’s National Water Polo Team’s bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics was so historic. After years off the podium, this achievement marks a powerful return and signals growing momentum as the team sets it's sights on the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

Behind this success is more than countless hours in the pool. Yoga, often overlooked in high-performance athletics, has become a vital component of the team’s preparation. For the past seven years, I’ve had the privilege of working with these elite athletes, tailoring yoga practices to meet the specific demands of their sport. This month, Hannah Chu co-facilitated the yoga offerings for the team, further strengthening this integrative approach.

Water polo places extraordinary stress on the body. Chronic shoulder strain, hip tightness, and muscular imbalances are common, driven by the sport’s explosive and repetitive movements. Yoga offers essential tools to address these challenges. Through mindful movement, breath awareness, and intentional stillness, players improve mobility, release deeply held tension, and sharpen mental focus. These sessions provide a critical opportunity to reset and recover - complementing the intensity of their high-impact training.

What continues to stand out to me is the athletes’ openness and commitment to yoga practice. They come to the mat with the same discipline they bring to the pool - willing to push limits not only physically, but mentally and emotionally. Watching them slow their breath, soften tension, and cultivate awareness has been a powerful reminder of how small, intentional practices can support extraordinary outcomes.

As the team builds toward LA 2028, the integration of holistic modalities like yoga will be key to sustaining their resilience and performance on the world stage. Supporting these athletes is an honor - and a front-row seat to a compelling journey defined by dedication, grit, and growth.