Yoga and cycling – the perfect team

Do you love cycling and want to support your body even further? Then yogis recommend the asanas of Buddhist teachings, which will take you to an even higher level. Yoga is generally considered an ideal balance to other sports. This article explains why yoga is particularly beneficial for cyclists. Prepare to be amazed.

Why do yoga and cycling go so well together?

First and foremost, yoga helps you prepare successfully for a bike ride. At the same time, yoga sessions are perfect for recovering from a strenuous ride. The posture while cycling through nature can sometimes be stressful, so you need a balance to protect your body. Stretching is a first step to feeling better.

How do you prepare for your bike tour?

These tips are especially important if you're planning longer tours—for example, on your hiking vacation. But they're also useful for shorter trips.

Before you get on your bike, you should first get in touch with yourself. Try to be aware of your body and concentrate on your breathing. This can be quite a challenge for first-timers. That's why you should take plenty of time on your meditation cushion , especially at the beginning. Enjoy the first few minutes and gradually connect with yourself. With a little experience, this will become faster and more efficient. If you're unsure, yoga classes could be helpful at first. These will ensure that you have your first contact with yoga with a competent yoga teacher. If you succeed in connecting with yourself, you will have a good foundation for a more relaxed ride afterwards: your body awareness will be much better, and at the same time, you will be able to distribute your energy better because you'll be more aware of yourself. When you warm up, you stimulate blood circulation, which in turn has a positive effect on your muscles and your performance.

While driving: Important tips

Of course, the time spent riding also plays a significant role in avoiding feeling too exhausted after the ride. If you feel any pain, you should first dismount your bike and stretch. Gently moving your upper body and stretching your legs can help you get back on the saddle with renewed vigor.

After the trip: rest and relaxation

Most cyclists are initially exhausted after the ride. Nevertheless, it's important to react correctly. The body needs to stretch to relieve pressure on the shoulders, legs, back, and arms. Those who do the right exercises on their travel yoga mat can expect significantly less muscle soreness and other aches and pains in various body areas.

Tip : Even if you want to use your trip to do as many tours as possible, you should always consider your health. If it's under the weather, the rest of your days will be ruined, and you'll end up just sitting in your hotel.

Caution : Cyclists who have pushed themselves to their limits may want to wait a bit before their first yoga session. Stretching too much at that point may actually worsen the muscle tears. Therefore, it's advisable to wait until the next day. However, this only applies to those who have pushed themselves to their physical limits—not after leisurely bike rides.

What exercises can you do?

If you have no experience with yoga for cyclists, the following tips may help you.

a) Before exercise

• Eagle Pose (Bend your arms in front of your chest and cross them. Place your left elbow into the crook of your right arm. Now raise your forearms upward, so that your left palm touches your right. This exercise stretches the upper back. Switch sides after performing it.)
• Cat-Cow (This exercise is almost always recommended. You get into a quadruped position. Your back is arched once, and then you arch your back).
• Standing forward bend (You can do this exercise before or after your workout. Stand upright and lower your upper body. Your hands touch your toes, the floor, or your knees. This position is good for back pain).

b) After the tour

Post-tour exercises are very important to prevent muscle soreness or other pain.

• Pyramid (You take a lunge. The upper body is then bent forward – horizontal position. This position is then held for at least one minute, after which you switch legs).
• Downward-Facing Dog (Every yogi knows this asana. You go into cobra pose and pull your butt back, stretch your arms and legs, and stay in this position. Your back and the back of your legs are perfectly stretched).
• Seated forward bend (You sit on your mat or grass and stretch your legs. Your upper body bends forward. This pose is perfect for stretching the back legs).
• Temple pose (Stand on one leg and raise the other leg, placing it over your standing leg. Your upper body bends and you squat slightly. This exercise is good for the gluteal muscles).

In addition to these exercises, meditation after a bike ride can help you feel more connected and calmer. If you're cycling through nature, you can also take the time during your ride to sit in the grass and close your eyes. These few minutes of focusing on your inner self are beneficial and will help you feel more focused, more vital, and stronger.

Do you cycle regularly? If so, have you had positive experiences with yoga?