I recently started to cycle to work and now ride almost everyday to my yoga classes around Bristol. I love cycling; it’s fast, convenient and environmentally friendly. I also feel great and see the mental and physical benefits from cycling. I feel stronger and really enjoy the wind brushing against my skin.
However, as with most strenuous activities it’s beneficial to make sure that you stretch before and after exercising and I believe that this is also true for cycling.
Because I hadn’t cycled much since I was a teenager, I really noticed how it affected my body. I was getting tight, especially in my legs and hips. I also found that my shoulders and back were collapsing and rounding.
After reading articles on the benefits of yoga for cyclists and experimenting with my own yoga practice, I decided to run workshops on this topic. I believe that simple regular yoga stretches can be immensely beneficial for all cyclists. It can soothe tired muscles and help you to avoid and recover from injury more quickly. The holistic approach of yoga practice will encourage balance and harmony in both mind and the body.
A well constructed yoga practice can help you to improve your cycling performance and can be an excellent cross training programme for more serious cyclists. Yoga is great for improving concentration and relaxation especially in challenging situations which will be useful in competitions. Best of all, it will help you to continue doing what you love for longer.