Basketball superstar LeBron James made headlines when he told the public that the secret to his success over the long NBA season wasn’t hitting the weights or practicing his jump shot. Instead, it was one simple activity: yoga.

When done regularly, yoga has a wide variety of physical and mental benefits for everyone, especially athletes, according to Livestrong.com. It provides both physical and emotional therapy and can be used as a healthy escape for an overworked and exhausted athlete.

Yoga is commonly practiced because it’s the number one relaxation technique. It quiets the mind and regenerates the body. A calm and relaxed mind is able to focus better and block out distractions. Relaxing before important competitions can calm nerves, which can improve performance in high-energy moments.

Sports injuries often occur when the body is suddenly put in a position it can’t handle, usually because of impact or overextension. Frequent yoga training may increase flexibility and range of motion, while relieving muscle tension. Whether you’re a cross-country runner or a tennis player, an improved range of motion can help enhance performance.

Though balance is as important as flexibility, it’s often overlooked. Whether you’re a gymnast where balance defines an outcome or a basketball player trying to make a shot off a ball screen, yoga can correct both muscle imbalance and body mechanic problems. Improving balance helps athletes protect themselves from injury by learning to relax and find one’s center of gravity.

You never know, this may be your key to winning that state championship.

“Does it work for everybody? I don’t know,” LeBron said to ‘Mens Pilates,’ “I’m not a guru about how to be in the best condition. But it works for me.”