Yoga strengthen your Physical and Mental Health

Whether you’re looking to enhance your cycling performance or to combine the physical and spiritual aspects of your workout, yoga may be what’s missing from your life. Yoga provides balance to your whole being: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. The question is where to begin?

Roots of yoga

Although there has been a recent surge in the popularity of yoga, scholars believe the foundation of yoga is more than 5,000 years old. Yoga was introduced in the West during the early 19th century as a movement for health and vegetarianism. By the 1960s, there was an influx of yoga schools opening in America and Europe. Today, yoga classes are abundant at health clubs and yoga studios, making it readily accessible.

A consistent yoga practice increases muscular strength and flexibility, improves balance and joint range of motion and enhances body awareness. Yoga positions engage all the joints of the body. A move as seemingly simple as downward dog increases lubrication of the joints, ligaments and tendons as well as providing an excellent stretch for the muscles.

Building a strong foundation

You’re probably thinking, "This all sounds great, but what kind of yoga is best for me?"

Central Coast yoga teacher Laura Ghiringhelli suggests you try a few classes on for size to determine which one fits.

"As far as what type of yoga for cyclists, I think it depends on the intention — endurance, breath awareness, alignment refinement, stretch and balance or spiritual growth? My Yoga for

Cyclists class is a slower-paced class, which takes the time to find alignment and breath, but some people might be more into the flowing more vigorous paced class."

Regardless of which type of yoga class you choose, you will reap amazing benefits. Just remember to listen to your body and go at your own pace. There is no competition in the yoga studio.

Some of the benefits of yoga include:

• Cross training: Yoga serves as an excellent cross-training tool to elongate chronically tight muscles while strengthening weak muscles.

• Increased core stability: Core support allows you to stay stable on the bike and achieve more power with your stride. Yoga teaches how to integrate and radiate from the core, keeping the body supported, yet relaxed.

• Improved posture: Yoga teaches proper alignment of the skeletal system as well as balance and function of the muscles. When you utilize proper alignment on the bike, you will experience greater efficiency and less muscle fatigue.

• Enhanced endurance: Breathing and visualization techniques taught in yoga allow you to focus the mind and maintain a low heart rate, making that century ride seem like a breeze.