Posted: Thursday, July 23, 2009 --- 4:45 a.m.

During the summer months, there are triathlons and also people taking part in outdoor activities.

Many professional and recreation athletes are turning to yoga to help sharpen their skill.

In this week's Hot Trends, a local yoga studio has picked up on that trend and is targeting athletes.

Athletes are turning to yoga to help them keep their edge without being on edge.

"I think anything athletic, whether it is recreational or professional, tends to be competitive and tends to put a lot of pressure on people so I think the yoga mat is someplace they can let go of that or learn to let go of that and lean to focus and concentrate."

The practice is a series or a flow of poses, it teaches balance and flexibility while working on strengthening your entire body. It can even target specific needs of certain athletes.

"Runners tend to have really tight hamstrings so there can be postures that can target and address that. But also just yoga in general in an overall balanced practice will help to bring balance to any athlete's body. "

Ali, for example, is a bike racer and says before yoga, she used to have pain in her lower back and shoulders.

"It makes a difference between being comfortable on my bike and not. So in the act of bicycling and later it means I am not sore. I'm not stiff like I used to be both on and off the bike. "

The use of breath is also key to a successful practice and helps athletes in the long run during stressful times while competing.

But if you still think yoga is all breathing, light stretching or chanting.

"People tend to think of yoga as just stretching and something that's very easy. I think if you come to our classes you will see that its challenging physically. It really does build strength."

To try the yoga for athletes class, it will be this Saturday from 11:30 to 1:30.

The cost is $25 for non-members.