Yoga, Thai-chi, Pilates etc.

manick0de

Does anybody do any of those types of things and what's your opinion?

popette

Have tried them all. Tai Chi - hardly worth bothering with IMO, just moving around really slowly. I get into a zen like state (whatever that is) on a bike so not need to chill out with tai chi.
Yoga - ok but I thought there was too great a margin of error and therefore injury. One instructor really pushed me much too far in one position!
Pilates - I think it's great. It gets your core working and pelvic floor too (good after four very large babies). I do a mix of pilates and other core stuff on a foam roller and a gym ball. I have had pilates classes but I find that DVDs at home are also good and I do just those now. Pilates really does help my back problems and I feel that it compliments cycling really well.

Well, that's my two penneth.

woody-som

Pilates is the best one. I've read several magazines that praise it highly, and some of the pro teams use it as well.

Do it properly is hard. Yoga is very similar, Pilates came from yoga, but yoga has a more of a relaxing element to it as well. If you can find an astanga (i think thats how it's spelt) the you will really work, as it's fast paced and non stop, unlike hatha yoga, which is the entry level, taught by most, as it's gentle(ish).

Just for the record, I do Pilates, but have also done Yoga.

dennisn

Try different things. That's what life is about. If you don't care for something don't do
it. As far as excercise goes, it's the same thing. Why bother doing something that doesn't really interest you? If you're asking if any of these will help your cycling, sure it will, if
you enjoy it. Hell, playing the violin will help you relax and take away stress if you enjoy it.

Dennis Noward

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cervelorider

popette wrote:

Have tried them all. Tai Chi - hardly worth bothering with IMO, just moving around really slowly. I get into a zen like state (whatever that is) on a bike so not need to chill out with tai chi.


Well, that's my two penneth.

It is a shame popette, that this is all you got from tai chi.
I can only assume that your teacher was unable to express to you the full picture.

popette

cervelorider wrote:

popette wrote:

Have tried them all. Tai Chi - hardly worth bothering with IMO, just moving around really slowly. I get into a zen like state (whatever that is) on a bike so not need to chill out with tai chi.


Well, that's my two penneth.

It is a shame popette, that this is all you got from tai chi.
I can only assume that your teacher was unable to express to you the full picture.

Afraid so - that was all I got from it
I wanted the class to transform me into some kind of ninja; calm on the outside but with deadly inner strength!! (oh and to burn lots of calories too) - perhaps my expectations were all wrong
What does it do for you?

dennisn

cervelorider wrote:

popette wrote:

Have tried them all. Tai Chi - hardly worth bothering with IMO, just moving around really slowly. I get into a zen like state (whatever that is) on a bike so not need to chill out with tai chi.


Well, that's my two penneth.

It is a shame popette, that this is all you got from tai chi.
I can only assume that your teacher was unable to express to you the full picture.

I agree, Iv'e been doing Tai Chi for years and never cease to marvel at how I seem to
learn something new each day. It has nothing to do with cycling but I can't imagine life
without it.
Dennis Noward

cervelorider

popette wrote:

cervelorider wrote:

popette wrote:

Have tried them all. Tai Chi - hardly worth bothering with IMO, just moving around really slowly. I get into a zen like state (whatever that is) on a bike so not need to chill out with tai chi.


Well, that's my two penneth.

It is a shame popette, that this is all you got from tai chi.
I can only assume that your teacher was unable to express to you the full picture.

Afraid so - that was all I got from it
I wanted the class to transform me into some kind of ninja; calm on the outside but with deadly inner strength!! (oh and to burn lots of calories too) - perhaps my expectations were all wrong
What does it do for you?

I could write a whole load of stuff (and did, then deleted it)about how great it was for me, but whatever I write will only have any real context at the time of writing it - suffice to say, it find tai chi to be a very positive experience .

il_principe

I've signed up for Pilates classes as well, starting in Feb. There seems to be a general feeling that pilates compliments cycling rather well. My aim is to improve core strength.

bahzob

Fully endorse Pilates. Used to suffer from backpain. Touch wood since doing it and other core work never had a sore back following even the longest (10hr+) rides.

il_principe

bahzob wrote:

Fully endorse Pilates. Used to suffer from backpain. Touch wood since doing it and other core work never had a sore back following even the longest (10hr+) rides.

Delighted to hear that. I get back pain on long rides that I've been told is more than likely caused by a weak core. Can't wait to start my Pilates course.

Spinnerman

My wife is a Pilates instructor. The common theme she talks to me in general about new students is trying to muscle through Pilates and not doing them correctly. Get a good instructor so you know what you are doing if you are going to practice at home.

I do a little to a lot of Ashtanga almost daily. Especially after cycling.

I agree with trying different things out and don't do it if it is boring or a chore for you.