Preventing Exhaustion

In addition to skeleto-muscular problems, sportsperson are also prone to exhaustion and fatigue.
The sides of our chest are storehouses of energy and need to be charged so that prana can be stored. One of the ways to charge them is to keep them well lifted.
All these asanas open the chest and energise the practitioner. The energy reserves are built up so that it is available as and when needed.

From the book “Yoga for Sport” by B.K.S.Iyengar.