It’s coming Om! Raheem Sterling, Harry Kane and Phil Foden and England’s Euro 2020 stars using a 37c inflatable yoga ‘Hotpod’ to relax between matches –
England’s players have turned to yoga with a difference in their bid to recharge at the Euros this summer – stepping into a 37-degree ‘Hotpod’ at the team’s St George’s Park base.
With a quick turnaround between matches, rest and recovery is more important than ever and the players have been treated to a high-tech piece of equipment to use at their leisure.
Accompanied by a fully-trained female member of the FA’s fitness staff inside their Covid-secure bubble, the likes of Raheem Sterling, Phil Foden, Mason Mount and Harry Kane have been practising their yoga in a different environment.
Declan Rice steps out of the Hotpod that has been installed at St George’s Park for the players
Raheem Sterling (right) and Phil Foden have also been enjoying the facilities this week
Harry Kane joked than Dean Henderson looked like he was riding a horse during this move
The heated inflatable pod, usually only available to the public at specific locations around the UK for one-off classes, has been transported to England’s base to give the team the best possible preparation at this summer’s Euros.
Inside the pod, relaxing mood music is played, with the lights dimmed low, while the air is infused with lavender, orange and bergamot scents to help the players zen out and fully tune-in to their yoga class.
That said, the players did seem to have to stifle their laughter while watching each other, with goalkeeper Dean Henderson – who has now left the camp through injury – picking up some criticism for his dodgy technique.
During one particular stretch, captain Kane can be heard joking, ‘Deano’s riding a horse,’ leaving the rest of the pod in stitches of laughter.
In a behind-the-scenes YouTube video posted by England, several players can be seen entering the Hotpod for a session, with Declan Rice also poking fun at Mason Mount during their yoga pose.
Chelsea star Mount, well aware of the camera focused in on him, pretends to start doing sit-ups, which leads to Rice asking, ‘Why’s he acting?’
The Hotpod is usually only available at certain locations around the UK for the public to book
England’s players have a yoga instructor on hand to help them through their recovery
The pod is kept at 37 degrees and has calming scents pumped into it, with relaxing music too
Tyrone Mings also appears to struggle to complete one of the poses, leading to some giggling in the pod, while the instructor offered some motivation to help them through.
Speaking about the partnership with England at the Euros, Hotpod Yoga co-founder Max Henderson said: ‘It’s a huge privilege to be working with the Three Lions. Having built up a lot of experience working with elite sports teams over the years, being part of the England team’s setup at the Euros, with such an exciting squad of players, is something pretty special.
‘We’ll be doing our best to help make sure they’re in tip top shape to go all the way.’
The same pods were used by the England rugby team at the Japan World Cup in 2018, with captain Owen Farrell saying at the time: ‘The pod gives me a perfect space to just breathe, and the yoga combined with the warmth of the pod helps me get my body moving again. I’d definitely recommend it to any athlete.’
Rice asked why Mason Mount (right) was acting up for the cameras during their yoga session
The female FA trainer (right) gave plenty of encouragement as the players giggled along
Jordan Pickford (left) gets out of the Hotpod after a yoga session between Euros matches
It’s also understood that a second, one-man Hotpod has also been provided to the England players, with any stressed-out stars in need of some time alone able to take themselves away for a while.
In the pod is a TV monitor to talk them through the session, with chilled music is played and calming scents pumped in to relax them.
The hot yoga is likely to provide a much-needed relaxation environment for the players, who had to work very hard in the Wembley heat on Sunday to record a 1-0 victory against Croatia.
Raheem Sterling scored the only goal of the game in an excellent team performance, in which the players ran a remarkable 62 miles between them.