Between the clinic and the bike shop, I am often asked for my thoughts on yoga so I might as well share them here also.
My general answer to any exercise question is "Yes, it is awesome, go do it." Most folks just need to do something, anything, so I encourage all of it. So yeah, I like yoga pretty well. We will focus on cycling here with some of the benefits:
1. Flexibility: Main reason people do yoga and well, it works. I see more people who are tight and restricted than not, so flexibility work is nice. For y'all that don't need to stretch....call me in twenty years :) If you don't work on it, you get worse every year until you are 70 and can't touch your toes.
2. Posture: Kind of in line with flexibility, but if you want to stand up a bit taller, yoga is proven to work.
3. Strength: Cyclists are great all around strength athletes...they work all four quad muscles! Other than that, most are lacking in posterior chain strength, lateral strength, and plenty else. Yoga is a convenient way to build strength for the bends and twists of life off the bike.
4. Chill time: Rush to the office, rush to get on the bike, hammer for 90 minutes, rush home. See a pattern? Relaxing time isn't a luxury. It helps you recover from the rest of life. An easy yoga session at night checks this box.
I'll also give a few warnings:
1. Don't neglect rows and pullups and monkey bars. Yoga misses these pulling movements big time, so get them covered!
2. Don't be a one trick pony. Try a variety of yoga classes. Power, core, yin. They all have their place but if all you do is stretch your hamstrings...guess what you will be good at? Stretching your hamstrings. Weak at everything else.
3. Bone Density is very important for cyclists. Cycling is a low impact sport which means it doesn’t do much for bone density. Neither does yoga! Hit some weights, walk with a light backpack or do some jumping type exercises.
For starters:
1. Take a class if you can. One on one instruction rules.
2. If you can't take a class, try some beginner sessions from youtube. I will link below to my favorite channel which I think has something for everyone.
3. Go easy, muscles and joints need time to adapt. I have had multiple patients in clinic cause they went bonkers in a yoga class. Easy does it.
Anyone else love yoga? Hate it? Would love to hear your opinions.