Yoga?

rodgers73

I've been giving some thought lately to trying yoga as part of my training. Seems to get some good reviews as a way to stay fit and avoid injury.

Is it all its cracked up to be? Are the benefits for a cyclist all that significant?

littledove44

rodgers73 wrote:

I've been giving some thought lately to trying yoga as part of my training. Seems to get some good reviews as a way to stay fit and avoid injury.

Is it all its cracked up to be? Are the benefits for a cyclist all that significant?

Everyone raves about Pilates core work for cycling.

Pilates is yoga for dummies.

Try it.

If you survive you can tell us all what a bunch of woosies we are.

meursault

I have recently got back into my eastern philosophies. Yoga not yet, but try and meditate every day, and be more mindful.

Also fancy some of that kung fu with no contact thing Tai chi?

dw300

Yoga is hard as f*ck.

rodgers73

I've done plenty of Pilate's classes and have got a dozen or so exercises I do at home now. Some of them are really tough. I'm really inflexible so yoga appeals on that front too.

BobWalters

Yoga will almost-certainly improve your health, and will probably make your riding more satisfying too.

I'd recommend 3-5 45-minute sessions per week initially. These could be tapered to maybe 25 minutes for maintenance.

I think that many people fall into the trap of pushing themselves too hard initially. You will get 80-90% of the benefit from simply diligently progressing at your own pace.

Another similar activity that I'd recommend is the "Foundation Method."

Believe me, I'm no "yoga nut." I simply practice alone at home. It's worked wonders for me and several friends.

Bob

buckles

Have a look at these threads for more discussion
viewtopic.php?f=40011&t=12905002
viewtopic.php?f=40011&t=12714429
viewtopic.php?f=40011&t=12554379
viewtopic.php?f=40011&t=12669209

dw300 wrote:

Yoga is hard as f*ck.

Is it? I find it quite easy apart from learning new poses, which is comfortably challenging. Based on what my instructor said I have thought that's the way it should be, as doing it too intensely raises the risk of injury...

dw300

Buckles wrote:

Have a look at these threads for more discussion
viewtopic.php?f=40011&t=12905002
viewtopic.php?f=40011&t=12714429
viewtopic.php?f=40011&t=12554379
viewtopic.php?f=40011&t=12669209

dw300 wrote:

Yoga is hard as f*ck.

Is it? I find it quite easy apart from learning new poses, which is comfortably challenging. Based on what my instructor said I have thought that's the way it should be, as doing it too intensely raises the risk of injury...

It is the first time!

typekitty

I find yoga way harder than Pilates, though possibly because a) I do it every day and b) it's Bikram so more challenging. Both are good, just stick with it.

cheschcat

I was doing 2 hours sessions once or twice a week throughout the race season last year. Completely stopped all of the the niggles I was getting in the winter and spring and had a great season. Obviously yoga was just one factor but definitely massively good for injury prevention.

Admittedly, my girlfriend is a yoga teacher which meant that she could tailor sessions to specific needs of a cyclist, especially focusing on complimentary/balancing poses for the super aggressive setup on my race bike.

There are also loads of yogic breathing techniques which can be used to increase lung capacity.

That said, just do some yoga and you will see the benefits!

kom14

Recent piece of research on yoga and aerobic capacity. Not performed on cyclists, but VO2 max test performed on a bike pre and post 12 week yoga intervention.

http://www.statperson.com/Journal/Scien ... /6_3_2.pdf

meursault

I always read pilates as pirates. Doesn't lessen the appeal though.