yoga for cyclists
In 2016, I started practicing yoga on a daily basis. As part of recovering from burnout and all physical inconvenience that came with it. It’s one of the best and most impactful decisions I ever made. It’s that as a cyclist, I spent and spend so much time bent forward over my handlebars. You surely don’t have to be an expert to see that this position isn’t a great and healthy body posture. For me and lots of other cyclists, this kinda weird position leads to tight hip flexors and other inconveniences. If I never compensate for that posture, chances are I eventually fall back into problems with my neck, my shoulders, my spine, what have you.
I found out yoga is an incredible tool to focus on maintaining a healthy body posture. My daily yoga practice ensures me that I target balance between both muscle strength and stability. Besides, it lets me focus on deep and steady breathing. Forcing myself to work aerobically as well. Some very important aspects of bike riding and any other endurance sports.
main benefits of yoga
Yoga is a great way to stay limber and energetic. I’m more aware whenever I fall back in bad body posture. So I work on that right away. Physically it makes me fit for life. No question.
Yet, one of the most important benefits I experienced isn't of physical nature. It’s quieting my mind. The bottom line is learning to pay attention. Fine-tuning. Beginning with my body, and then moving to my mind. As I got deeper into my daily practice over the years, I started noticing many mental and spiritual benefits! And I’m so excited about it! It makes I don’t want to skip a day.
can I do yoga?
I hear you saying: “Yoga? Not my jam. Can’t do that. I’m not flexible enough…”
Well, that’s what I told myself for years. Until I tried. Then I found that I was telling myself b*llsh*t. Nowadays I think it’s like taking driving lessons. No, you can’t drive a car at first. But with proper instructions and a bit of patience, it’s consistency over intensity that will get you surprised about your capabilities and progress.
So, stop fooling yourself. You can do it! And you should get started today! The only thing you need is a proper yoga mat…
which yoga mat do i need?
As a yoga mat is really the only thing you need, don’t do yourself short on a good one. One that doesn’t wear out quickly and doesn’t slip and slide.
I’m using this Love Generation yoga mat for years. And I love it. It’s extra thick, anti-slip, washable, and appeared to be very durable. Suitable for both active and relaxed yoga styles and delivers good grip and optimal insulation on cold floors.
Do you have one? Let’s get started!
youtube home yoga practice
Ever since I practice, my teacher of choice is Adriene Mishler. An American yoga instructor based in Austin, Texas. She hosts Yoga With Adriene on YouTube. The range of home practice yoga videos on her channel is pure gold!
I consider her guidance fantastic. It’s amazing how I find myself stumbling across little patterns and how I’m able to correct them during practice simply by her coaching. It’s incredible how she provides sessions that everyone can do, regardless of age or fitness level.
That said, I also fell in love with her personality. As I practice every morning, she shows up for me every day with a great mood, smile, and Benji. Her dog. It might be weird to say, but I practically consider her one of my best friends.
20-minute yoga for beginners
I suggest starting right here. With this 20-minute session for beginners session. In that beginner’s video, she works you through breath and other foundational elements. To set you up for a sustainable and beneficial practice to enjoy.
It’s designed as the perfect all-around practice for someone of any yoga background, with a meditative pace and strong focus on form and function. To increase flexibility, build strength, and regulate your nervous system. The practice moves through breathwork and poses for the spine, hips, shoulders, and core. As well as poses for the hamstrings, wrists, ankles, knees, and low back.
The perfect start to get you into yoga!
yoga with Adriene series
In addition to a wide range of individual videos, like “Yoga For Neck, Shoulders, Upper Back” and “Morning Yoga Flow”, Adriene launched her first video series “30 days of yoga” in 2015. From there she launched a new 30-day series every year.
It’s these series I do over and over again. I mainly love the variety from day to day. Sometimes it emphasizes strengthening. Sometimes it focuses on alignment. Sometimes it’s intense, fast-paced, and I sweat like crazy. Sometimes it’s very restorative and all about relaxation.
These daily sessions won’t take much from your daily schedule. Most videos are around 30 minutes long. Sometimes 15 minutes more. Sometimes 15 minutes less.
This is a full overview with a link of the series she released so far. I recommend you just to start with the first one, called 30 Days of Yoga. Once you get the hang of it, continue to the next one…
make time for it!
I like to say that the best workout, is the one you’re excited enough to do every day. That’s exactly what this sequence of yoga series is for me. I’m on the mat every single day. It has been a complete game-changer. It makes me feel healthy, young, and full of energy.
The thing is, everybody says, “I don’t have time.” Basically, that’s a bad excuse. Another way of saying that it isn’t a priority. So, you have to decide whether yoga is your priority or not. I found out that since this is my number one priority in the morning, I just go and do it. It’s just the way life works. With a fuzzy basket of different workouts or other priorities, you eventually end up getting none of them.
My yoga workout is the number one thing I do in the morning. I get on my mat. And however long it takes is how long it takes. I don’t care if the world is imploding or melting down. It can wait another 30 minutes until I’m done. And that feels great!
