Whether you’re a mountain biker or a city cyclist, a long bike ride can lead to tightness in the legs, and the lower back. Adding yoga to your cycling routine creates the perfect balance of strengthening, stretching and elongating your muscles.
We’ve composed six essential yoga poses to release tension that can be caused by the repetitive movements of cycling. These poses focus on stretching the the hip flexors, releasing tension in the hamstrings, glutes, and illiotibial band (stabilizes the knee).
Seated forward fold
The seated forward fold is a great pose for stretching the spine, shoulders and hamstrings while calming the mind and slowing down the breath.
Reclined big toe
Reclined big toe stretches the hamstrings, groin and calves while strengthening the knees.
Bound Angle
Bound angle pose safely stretches the hips and groin. Very beneficial after a long bike ride.
Single pigeon
This pose increases hip flexibility while stretching thighs, glutes and piriformis muscles.
Crescent low lunge variation:
Crescent lunge stretches the quads, hips, and abdomen as well as the chest and arms.
Downward dog
Downward dog strengthens the arms and legs, while stretching the spine, hamstrings, calves and arches of the feet.
These yoga poses are not just beneficial for cyclists, but to all athletes as well. Yoga improves your balance and posture while increasing body awareness and breath control. When we move in a range of motion that allows us to strengthen, stretch, twist, expand and contract, we facilitate the process of a well-rounded workout.
