Yoga is a great addition to do along side other physical ativities such as cycling and running.
Practising yoga is an excellent addition to many other sports or fitness activities you do, and has numerous benefits involving stretching, flexibility and strength. It can also help prevent injuries as you learn to develop more awareness of your body and muscular balance.
Whatever activity you most often do - whether it’s running, cycling or even just sitting at a computer all day, it can lead to over using certain muscles and under using others – this can create an imbalance in the body, and often tension and stiffness which can lead to injuries.
Some of the other benefits of doing a regular yoga class include improved posture, better breath awareness, concentration and the ability to focus, as well as improving quality of sleep, which in turn helps recovery.
So whatever exercise you regularly enjoy doing, by incorporating a yoga practise alongside it will have a beneficial impact on your overall wellbeing.
Why yoga is so beneficial to cyclists
*Improves performance on the bike, as it can increase flexibility and strength in the muscles and joints
*Reduces injury by creating a muscular balance as all muscles get strengthened
*Helps you be more aware of your breathing, and can help you stay focused on a ride
*Can help you be in tune with your body, both on and off the bike
The principles of yoga are of creating awareness of your body, as well as developing strength and stamina.
Yoga can target areas of the body that can counter balance the affect of spending time on the bike. For example, chest openers and shoulder stretches after being hunched forward in the saddle.
And hamstring stretches that can help ease lower back ache.
There are many yoga poses that can improve tight areas of the body such as the hips, back and legs, that cyclists of all levels can benefit from.
You don’t need to be flexible to start a class, and it’s for all abilities and ages. The method of yoga is safe for complete beginners, classes are carefully sequenced and poses are held to allow time for the muscles to stretch, and allow blood to flow to different areas. Restorative poses towards the end of a class help the muscles to relax and aid recovery.