Some things never change, and for Troy Aikman, that includes his competitive drive—even in unexpected arenas. The legendary Dallas Cowboys quarterback recently celebrated a milestone that had nothing to do with football, but rather a year-long commitment to a grueling fitness routine: hot yoga.
Aikman and his former Cowboys teammate Jason Garrett have been attending hot yoga classes together for the past year, working to master the physically demanding practice. While they once thrived on the gridiron, adapting to the intensity of heated yoga sessions has been a different kind of challenge.
On March 4, Aikman took to Instagram to commemorate his “one-year yogaversary,” posting a photo that perfectly captured the contrast between the two former athletes’ reactions to the milestone. In the picture, Aikman, looking exhausted, offers a weary half-smile, while Garrett beams with a full, victorious grin.
“Not sure why Jason is so happy,” Aikman captioned the post. “But one year of hot yoga later and it still kicks my a**—but somewhere in that struggle is the reward of letting go.”
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Aikman’s Commitment to Mindfulness
The two have been taking their classes at Ritual One, a yoga studio located in Dallas’ Knox-Henderson neighborhood. For Aikman, the physical and mental aspects of yoga align with a practice he has embraced for years: meditation.
In a 2022 interview with Dallas Innovates, Aikman revealed that he had been practicing meditation for a decade. Reflecting on his football career, he admitted that had he embraced mindfulness while playing, it could have made a significant difference in his approach to the game and his relationships with teammates.
“Had I been practicing [meditation] when I was playing [with the Cowboys], I would have been a different teammate,” Aikman said. “And I think I would have been a better teammate.”
A New Chapter in Fitness and Wellness
While fans will never know how yoga and meditation might have shaped Aikman’s career on the field, it’s clear that his dedication to self-improvement hasn’t waned in retirement. Whether he’s taking on broadcasting, launching a beer brand, or sweating it out in a hot yoga studio, Aikman continues to push himself beyond his comfort zone.
And even if Jason Garrett seems to be handling the challenge with a bit more ease, Aikman isn’t backing down—because for him, the struggle is part of the reward.
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