The Practice

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When You think of professional Rugby Union , it could not be, mindfulness and meditation come to mind.

But playing top-level sport is an emotional roller-coaster can.

There are the UPS and downs, winning and losing, the pressure, and the execution, if You are injured at the end, to be able to take their toll.

As The Conversation to be a top rugby Club in the way.

Radio 1 Newsbeat spent six months behind-the-scenes with harlequins, one of the Premier League's top clubs for our most recent documentary film Tries, tackles and title Dreams .

Nathan (left) injured himself while playing for Harlequins in April 2019

Some of the rugby players make it to The Top of The Game , but also for those who do, it is far from easy, as soon as You receive it.

your performance is constantly under the magnifying glass, it's the fight for the selection and dealing with an injury, is a very different thing.

Nathan Earle , 25, is a wing player for the Harlequins, the injured in a game against Northampton Saints back in April of 2019.

"It was the worst pain I've ever seen," he says. "If Elliott [the physio] came to the place, I was begging to help for gas.

"that was the only time in My Life I would have without my lower legs and was fine with him. "

Nathan tore his (ACL) - a ligament that helps stabilize the knee.

After the Operation, he had months of physical therapy and hopes to return to The Pitch this spring.

news beat followed Nathan as he went about his Recovery .

After his anterior cruciate ligament tear, Nathan is focused on getting back on the field

"Getting back on the court is probably the only thing keeping me upright at the moment.

"If I'm not the target, I would be much worse off than I Am now. "

Nathan and I are in the Chat about a game of Billiards in the Harlequins players' lounge.

Breakfast is served. I bet him a sausage and egg muffin on The Game , but smiling, he reminded me that the food here is actually free.

Despite the frustrations, the seems of his Recovery , Nathan's been really positive.

Nathan says that to play out-time of rugby

injury is essential is a reality in all professional sports, but rugby is particularly known for its physicality. Often the players are forced into retirement due to injuries long before they want to.

"It's hard. You must take some time away from him," he says. "Whether it's the the guys see here, away from this environment, or You can visit your family and Friends - You only have time way need. "

Nathan thinks that it will open in any case, more acceptable, about their Mental Health these days.

"It's incredibly important," he says. "We have a coach mindfulness, which helps a bit. We do a little meditation, and we have this guy named Andy, who is basically everyone's confidant. If You want to talk to, he is always willing to listen.

"He is not a therapist, he is an ex-Army man, but I think he saw very much, it is in the army. "

Paul Gustard brought mindfulness in The Club

At the harlequins, they try to create a space where Mental Health is taken just as seriously as physical health.

Someone who knows all about The Unforgiving nature of the Sports is The Club 's head of rugby, Paul Gustard .

While he is now the side he used to coach, to play for Leicester Tigers and the Saracens.

He says, news beat, things have changed a lot since he was a player.

"As I rugby started to play, it was very alpha-male dominated," he says. "Would You try, with [Mental Health issues] themselves, and that is not conducive, in order to be happy and healthy in mind or body. "

When Paul took over the running of The Club in 2018, he continued about the introduction of the players, to The Practice of mindfulness.

Now, the players can choose part in weekly sessions, either in group or on their own. The goal is to stop worrying about The Past or imagining The Future , but instead, focus on The Present moment.

Yoga and pilates are included in the player-training-schedule

Paul says: "mindfulness was something I really wanted to have You in The Club .

"I think Mental Health has more about the society and people are more aware of it. "

He thinks it is possible that some of the people in The Club - be it players or staff could suffer from Mental Health problems, during their time there.

But he hopes it is a environment to talk about where people start about their problems, share their experiences and to seek help.

It seemed the case during Our Time with The Club . Although there was all the usual banter, there was also a strong sense of friendship and support.

"It is encouraging that the company is moving in a direction where we want the discussion on these issues and there is help Out There ," says Paul .

"As a rugby Club we welcome that. "

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twickenham, mental health

Source of news: bbc.com