From the Mat to the Mind: Supporting Student Athletes Through Yoga

Can you start by introducing yourself—your name, title, and how you got started

Teaching yoga to student athletes?

My name is Audrey Hamilton, and I’m the Founder of AudiMae Yoga. I first began

teaching yoga by visiting inner-city schools, offering students tools to help release

mental stress during State Testing. One afternoon, as I was leaving a session, I was

introduced to the high school football coach. He connected with the mental

component behind my why—specifically how yoga supports mental health and

emotional regulation in students. We scheduled a time for me to assess his athletes,

and the response was overwhelmingly positive. Seven seasons later, I’m still working

with his team, helping student athletes strengthen not just their bodies, but their focus,

resilience, and mental clarity as well.

What inspired you to focus on working with high school and athletic teams

specifically?

What inspired me to focus on working with high school athletes is rooted in my

own experience as a student athlete. I remember making up my mind early on that I

wanted to be excellent—fully committed to the sport and the process. But then I faced a

setback: a slight knee strain during practice kept me from playing at the start of the

season. That was tough.

Even though I was young and my interests started to shift, I found myself drawn to

practices that helped me stay present—and that’s when yoga entered my life. It gave

me what I needed both physically and mentally during a time when I felt sidelined. That

experience stuck with me.

So now, when I work with high school athletes, I do it with the belief that if yoga helped

me then—and continues to help me now—it can benefit others. It’s about

giving student athletes more than just physical tools; it’s about giving them mental and

emotional support they can carry both on and off the field.

What are some common misconceptions that athletes—or coaches—have about

yoga before they begin the practice?

There are a few common misconceptions I hear from athletes and coaches before they begin practicing yoga. One I hear a lot is, Oh, yoga is intense! And just as often, I’ll hear the oppositeYoga? That’s easy…”The truth is, both can be true. It all depends on your mindset going in. I always emphasize the importance of setting your intention before class. Like anything in life, what you choose to pour into the practice is exactly what you’ll get out of it. Some also assume yoga is only about flexibility or stretching, but it’s so much more than that. For athletes especially, it’s a powerful tool for mental focus, injury prevention, recovery, and learning how to breathe through pressure—on the field and off.

What changes do you notice in athletes after they’ve gone through your

program—either physically, mentally, or emotionally?

The growth I see in athletes after going through my program is truly leaps and bounds.

Physically, there’s more control, balance, and awareness in how they move. But it’s the

mental and emotional shifts that stand out most—there’s a noticeable increase in

confidence, clarity, and a deeper sense of emotional awareness. The goal is always

what the athlete sets for themselves. It’s always exciting to see when the goal is met or

exceeded. One of the most rewarding moments for me is when former students come home from

college and stop by class. Hearing them say they’ve kept stretching, I found a yoga

class at school, or that they miss the environment we created, means everything. It

shows me that yoga leaves a lasting impression—it gives them something to carry with

them, a reminder to pause, breathe, and keep going.

Have any athletes or teams shared powerful feedback that stuck with you?

Absolutely—every session begins and ends with feedback. I make it a priority to tailor

each class to the needs of the athletes or group, so hearing their responses in real time

is powerful. When they hop up after class and say things like, I needed that, or Can

We do that pose again next time?”That kind of feedback lets me know the work is

landing where it needs to. It also helps shape the next session, keeping the experience

relevant and personal for them.

What’s been the most meaningful outcome of your work so far?

Honestly, seeing full participation. It’s not easy to get large groups—especially teenage

boys—to slow down for 60 minutes. So when they give themselves permission to

breathe, move with intention, and be present, it’s an indescribable feeling. Pure

joy. It means they’re not just showing up physically—they’re mentally and emotionally

tuning in, too. That’s the real win.

How does practicing yoga support student athletes’ mental wellness in

particular?

Trauma can happen both on and off the field. Whether it’s a physical injury from last

season or something that happened years ago, the body and mind remember. Yoga

creates a space where student athletes can begin to trust themselves again—

physically, mentally, and emotionally.

It’s a chance to rebuild confidence in real time, and that’s not just limited to sports. Many

students are dealing with difficult or unpredictable circumstances in their personal lives.

Yoga gives them space when they need it most—not only offering tools for coping but

also helping them pause and ask: Does this deserve my attention right now?

It teaches them how to slow things down, breathe through the moment, and respond

rather than react. That kind of self-awareness is powerful—not just in athletics, but in

life.

What benefits have you seen related to stress, focus, or emotional regulation?

Throughout 10 to 15 one-hour sessions, I’ve learned how important it is to be

both honest and impactful during that 60-minute window. With student athletes,

attention spans vary, so I measure progress by how present they are in class—how

they respond, breathe, move, and settle into the practice.

The most visible benefits are often in their focus and emotional regulation. When I see a

room full of student athletes, especially teenagers, truly engaged—breathing with

intention, moving mindfully, and allowing themselves to slow down—that’s when I know

The work is sinking in. Yoga becomes more than just stretching—it’s a tool they use to

release stress, refocus, and reset in real time.

What has been your favorite part of the work you’re doing, and what keeps

You coming back to it?

Have you ever worked on a jigsaw puzzle? All the shapes and sizes need to fit together

to create an extraordinary picture or story that flows. That’s what this work feels like to

me. Working with these young athletes and their coaches gives me a real sense that it’s

bigger than just me. I truly enjoy being a part—or a piece—of their journey.

Seeing how everything starts to come together by the end of our yoga sessions, when there’s finally a flow, reminds me why I keep coming back.

One breath at a time.