Garfield Cat

Does anyone practice Yoga as part of the training for cycling?

I mean anyone here have any input?

Maybe because of injuries or for "strength and flexibility"?

Carbonfiberboy 

These are the best threads on yoga which I remember:
https://www.bikeforums.net/training-...-cyclists.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/training-...does-yoga.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/training-...on-needed.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/training-...d-i-start.html

Seattle Forrest

A lot of things people do in yoga are body weight (resistance) exercises. Warrior 3 is a single leg deadlift. Some of this stuff will improve your core strength, if it's in need of improving. Which could help you remain comfortable on long rides.

​​​​​Single leg deadlifts are great for balance too. You don't need any weight.

dabac

BloomBikeShop

I do it for the recovery and relaxation benefits.

I have gravitated away from the heated flow classes, 'power yoga', etc. which are more of a workout themselves (as opposed to recovery or active rest), but can be fun off-season workouts.

canklecat

Yeah, I do a lot of yoga-influenced exercises. Learned 'em as a teenager as part of training for amateur boxing. Back then boxing trainers disliked weight training and yoga was more about flexibility and range of motion. Seemed to help. My workouts are a hybrid, mish-mash of yoga, tai chi, boot camp calisthenics and shadow boxing -- the latter is great for upper body conditioning and can be as gentle as upper body range of motion and flexibility training, to an aerobic workout with vigorous effort. Main caution I'd suggest with shadow boxing is to avoid "snapping" punches. While that's fine for young athletes actually training for fights, the snapping motion of a classic boxer like Muhammad Ali or Larry Holmes can be hard on the elbow and shoulder joints.

caloso

I have started going to a weekly strength and flexibility workout focused on cyclists. The workouts are yoga based and I am really pleased with how they are working my weaknesses.

metalheart44

can u share where u go for those workouts

kingston 

I try to do an online yoga class twice a week. I hate it, but some randonneuring friends have told me that I have to stick with it for a while before I start to like it. My flexibility is so bad that even the level 1 beginner classes are impossible, and I have to use the modified poses with blocks, bolsters, etc. to get even close.

caloso

https://daiendurance.com/

salad_goat

For a few seasons I did yoga and running in the winter to stay in somewhat decent shape while in the off season. However, last and this year I've incorporated lifting and base mileage and feel better. I do bodyweightfitness regular routine from r/bodyweightfitness and ride 10hrs a week. It consists of stretching which I enjoy and I've read a few studies that lifting also helps with flexibility, so I believe I am not missing out on much. Plus my lady is liking the size I am getting on my arms so that's cool. Some days I do miss yoga and may use my off day to incorporate once a week. Cheers

zacster

I've never done yoga but it comes with The Sufferfest subscription. I tried doing a beginner session and couldn't keep up. The big problem is that the exercises want head down, but you need to keep your head up to see the screen. It just isn't my thing.

Garfield Cat

Post #2 by Carbonfiberboy points to "Who Else Does Yoga" thread.

I that thread, Road Fan Post # 12 talks about Iyengar yoga. That is the one I am taking. Private lessons from Valji Bagada (Premyogi/Swami Devgeet). Yeah, the real deal.

Now, one aspect about yoga that intrigues me. Its the breathing exercises and how its like a parallel to cycling. When I watch the TdF on TV, the closeup shots of the riders, I watch their breathing on the flats and its as if they are hardly breathing at all. They have this certain rhythm. I can't say the same for the steep climbs of the TdF, for obvious reasons.

In yoga, at least the way this Premyogi is teach me, the breathing is a big part of yoga and I would also say the monks up in the Himalayas where this Premyogi has been and learned from these monks.

Next time you go on a ride, just pay attention to your breathing along the way. The euphoria that is experienced is not far from what's in yoga.

When you speak to non-rdiers, they sometimes comment that "you're addicted to riding". Right? Don't you hear that sometimes? I suggest that a big part is about that breathing rhythm. Yoga teaches me that breathing without having to cycle. But the combination of both allows a beginner rider to experience those joys of riding.

FrenchFit 

Bikram and a basic Hatha yoga program every week for about a year between the two. My objective was to gain back flexibility, work on my running posture and eliminate injuries.

Went from a 56cm to 60cm frames. All and all, pretty happy. .

koolerb

When I start to feel stiff and screwed up from doing too much of one thing I resort to yoga and it always helps. If I were smart I would do do it on a regular schedule, like once or twice a week.