{
  "id": 11993361,
  "title": "Boston Celtics rediscovering yoga as training tactic, per Payton Pritchard",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/boston-celtics-rediscovering-yoga-as-training-tactic-per-payton",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-04T19:43:37.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/boston-celtics-rediscovering-yoga-training-194337119.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Boston Celtics, known for their commitment to performance and longevity, have long been pioneers in incorporating yoga into their training regimen. Pioneered by Hall of Fame player Robert Parish, the practice has since become a staple for the team. Parish himself once admitted his initial embarrassment in attending his first yoga class, feeling out of place among older women who could easily touch their toes, while he struggled to do so. He compared himself to weekend athletes and civilian fitness enthusiasts, who were already proficient in such activities.\n\nNow, a new generation of Celtics players are rediscovering the benefits of yoga, with point guard Payton Pritchard recently sharing his experience. In an interview with CLNS Media, Pritchard revealed that the entire team participated in a group yoga session during the team's pre-season camp for the upcoming 2026-27 season. The session took place in the hotel weight room, lasting for a brief 15 minutes right after the team's arrival. Pritchard expressed his positive experience, stating that it was \"good\" and potentially something the team should continue incorporating into their routine. He noted that while the yoga practice was not mandatory before, it was beneficial and enjoyable for everyone involved. Pritchard also mentioned that the team is increasingly embracing other forms of fitness, such as Pilates, indicating a growing trend towards holistic wellness within the Boston Celtics organization.",
  "summary": "Pioneered by Robert Parish in the 1980s, yoga is making a comeback for teams seeking an edge in today's NBA.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}