Yoga is big part of WSSU football program

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- Upward-facing dog. Downward-facing dog. Warrior pose. Pigeon pose and frog.

Those aren’t the name of plays the Winston-Salem State football team will run this fall — but they are important terms to know this summer.

Strength coach Mark Heinecke has been putting several of the players through yoga sessions that sound easy enough. It’s a break from lifting weights but the 45-minute session that 10 players went through on Friday was invigorating — and important.

“It’s the hardest part of the week,” said defensive end Michael Bloomfield. “I’ve done this every week in summer school and it’s proven to help you stay flexible. It helps prevents injury and really keeps you in great shape.”

Bloomfield, a candidate for the CIAA’s defensive player of the year this fall, is ...

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