To help encourage mental health, NFL defensive lineman Arik Armstead and professional dancer Allison Holker have teamed up with CorePower Yoga as ambassadors in a new campaign.
The two athletes will help share are spread education on the healthy benefits of yoga with the partnership.
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“It’s so important for me to speak out about mental health because as a family, we’ve experienced so much pain and hurt, but also had so much growth by learning to find our joy again,” Holker said in a press release. “CorePower Yoga is somewhere I have been going to for years. It’s a place I feel safe. I want to help others to find sanctuary in it like I have.”
Holker is known for being a judge of FOX’s “So You Think You Can Dance,” as well as being a respected dancer and choreographer. The pro dancer is an avid yoga practicer who found the mental health benefits aiding in dealing with the loss of her spouse.
When thinking about the workouts of an NFL player, some may be shocked to learn Armstead too practices yoga. The four-time nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award found yoga helped with suffering from a serious physical injury.
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“When I suffered my worst physical injury to date at the end of my last regular season with the 49ers—as we were heading into the playoffs—I was crushed. Yoga and mindfulness have played a crucial role in my wellness routine as a professional athlete,” Armstead said. “My aim with this partnership is to increase awareness about mental health, help destigmatize the topic—especially among athletes and men —and encourage individuals to prioritize their mental wellbeing.”
Armstead told CorePower Yoga that yoga has helped maintain his flexibility and improve his performance on the field, along with helping him with focus and managing stress. His favorite class is the Yoga Sculpt class.
For those struggling with their mental health, Holker recommends having the discipline to prioritize things that encourage self-help. This includes meditation, writing in a journal, yoga, and dance for her.
The two athletes will help empower others to take charge of their mental health in their ambassador roles.
The collaboration with the nation’s largest yoga studio brand includes free access to a curated collection of yoga and meditation classes on CorePower Yoga’s digital platform. Its Mental Health Hub is also sharing scientific research to shed light on the link between hot yoga and depression.
Included in the Hub are 20 to 30-minute classes that help with balance, as well as breathing sessions to help stay grounded.
This announcement is in honor of May being Mental Health Awareness Month. The goal to to remove the stigma associated with mental health while sharing the healing benefits of yoga for both the body, mind, and spirit.