|   Yoga | AndrewMcD.
Jan 6, 2004 6:23 AM | | This morning I attended my first yoga class. Damn, that hurt! Not to say I stressed myself to the point of injury but (at age 53) it's much more difficult than I imagined. I train and generally stretch afterwards but the past two seasons I've experienced too many training related problems like sore muscles, cramping, tightness, etc. I'm incorporating yoga into my training this winter and spring in an effort to improve my flexibility, strength and reduce injury. I'm interested to hear from others that may have used yoga as part of their training program. |
| re: Yoga | GlazedHam
Jan 6, 2004 10:18 AM | | I'm certain that yoga will help with the causes you have listed. My days of just stretching when I remember or feel like it are long gone. I focus on stretches for the back, arms and shoulders because these are my tissues with the most issues. |
| did it last year. not sure it helped much. | thetitans
Jan 6, 2004 6:54 PM | | I did a variation called bikram yoga which takes place at 103 degrees and lasts 90 minutes per session. I attended once a week from january til the start of race season. Surprisingly, it increased my lower back pain, particularly a position in which you stand on one foot and cradle your hands around the sole of your other foot and then attempt to straighten out that leg directly in front of you. Otherwise my flexibilty increased markedly though I must admit I don't think that this translated to any benefit on the bike. I'm skipping it this year as part of training. |
| re: Yoga | azbikegrl
Jan 6, 2004 8:05 PM | | I've been going to yoga at least once, usually twice, and sometimes three times a week for over a year now. I've really noticed improvements for myself in technical riding--the core strengthening has definitely translated to improved balance, confidence and general ability over rocky technical stuff, both uphill and down. I also have less lower back pain and I just enjoy the stress relief. Overall, I recommend it. As for having it cause lower back pain as the other reply stated, I'm careful to not push too hard; it's a gradual thing, and I'm interested in racing my bike, not being the most flexible in the class. |
| re: Yoga | SpiderX927
Jan 19, 2004 3:30 AM | | Two years ago I did yoga twice a week to help me with low back issues. It helped quite a bit. felt I needed more so I met up with a new personal trainer who put me on a program that did not use a lot of weights but different "moves" that concentrated on "core" stregnth. I found that that was more efffective for my back. as my back got better I was able to ride longer/stronger comfortablyI highly recomend getting on a "core" program.
Yoga works balance which helps me in technical riding. One thing that I think is very important is to let the instructor know of your special needs and problem areas. There are some yoga moves/positions that US 53 year olds with issues just should not do. |
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