The Benefits of Yoga for Cyclists
Yoga for Cyclists: Beyond the Flow
Hi Fellow New Trailers, Yogi Coach Kimberly here taking over the blog for a day! You may know me from Ride50, but did you know that I also teach Power Flow Yoga, a Vinyasas-style class for all levels with instrumental versions of popular music in the background. You may say I'm an avid cyclist; why should I take yoga? Because yoga is an excellent counterbalance to all of the work you do in a cycling class. Our bodies benefit from mixing things up through various activities that provide strength and flexibility to our muscles, joints, and bones.
What will you not do in my class? Advance balancing poses. Everyone's body is unique and, therefore, capable of different things. Even one side of your body can vary from the other in terms of flexibility. What will you do in my class? Participate in a thoughtful sequence purposely crafted for cyclists to take your body from one pose to another at a progressive pace. You work hard during the week in your cycling classes, and your muscles become tight. Taking Power Flow Yoga toward the end of the week is a great way to counterbalance that work.
Here is a sampling of poses we do at various points in the class and the benefits of those poses:
Forward Fold -- stretches the hamstrings, decompresses the spine, and releases tension in the upper back by turning your bike posture upside down
Triangle -- strengthens and stretches your torso, shoulders, legs, and hips, countering your hover position over the handlebars
Locust -- strengthens the entire back of your body, stabilizes your shoulders, and helps you endure climbs
When you come to my Power Flow class, I encourage you to play with the poses and take the suggested options based on how your specific body feels at the time. Yoga is not a one-post-fits-all practice. If you are a regular yogi of mine, thank you. If you haven't been to my class before, I invite you to join other members of the NT community on your mat on Thursdays at 7:15 p.m. My goal is for you to walk away refreshed and loosened up -- feeling like you just had a mind and body reboot!