Sharing the benefits of yoga with other cyclists is why I became an instructor. Riders kept asking me for a video, and now I can deliver!
Yoga for Cyclists on DVD & Download. Why do cyclists need yoga: sore backs, tight hips, stiff necks, weak wrists, rounded shoulders, weak core, poor posture…oh man, the list goes on!
Through my career I tried stretching, got bored. Tried pilates, got bored. Tried yoga, got hooked! Yoga allowed me to ride longer and with more style, magnify my focus, prevent injury, increase strength and most importantly enjoy the sport I love. For those unfamiliar with yoga, here's a quick video tip to give you an idea of some of the postures in video's yoga routines.
I made this video for a broad spectrum of riding and yoga abilities, from pro to beginner, and from road to dirt. My intent was to share my favorite cyclist specific posture sequences, and at the same time elicit a more awake relationship between how your body/bike moves, your mind thinks, and your spirit inspires.
Each routine blends gorgeous alpine mountain backdrops from Sol Mountain in the Monashee Mountains, an original musical score by Corduroy KId, and a healthy dose of channeled blissology from my yoga teacher Eoin Finn.
Here's another quick tip from an amazing hip stretch, good for any type of riding style:
Here’s a peak at what each of these routines offers:Headset Routine: Cultivate inner-awareness and focus during this slow 30 minute contemplative full-body routine…
This steady sequence of postures is designed to elicit an exploration of your innermost thoughts, feelings, intentions, and values. There is a direct correlation between your inner world and your riding experience/capabilities.
Frame Routine: Invigorate your cycling body with this challenging 40 minute practice...
Designed to bring attention to the body with physically challenging postures. You will quickly discover your cycling muscle imbalances and the limitations that result. Once you feel these limitations, this practice strives to strengthen and stretch those areas in need.
Spokes Routine: Create a positive spin for yourself and thus others with this inviting 35 minute session...
With guest yogis Ian Verchere and Andreas Hestler, and yogini Kristen Smart, this routine brings attention to the “we” space, and how we are all connected as humans no matter our body type, yoga experience, or riding experience. Expanding our awareness to include others contributes to an awake culture and is a key for rounding out the quality of our riding experience.
Links Routine: Whether on the trail, road, or navigating your day, locate yourself with this to-the-point, 16 minute standing flow.
There are a lot of moving parts in our lives, fitting it all in is tough, this routine is designed with that in mind. This routine is a no-excuse-simple-flow that will help you to orient amidst your busy lifestyle–after this practice you’ll see that all trails and roads are connected. Do this routine even if you're out on the trail, no mat required!
Two options to bring this yoga in to your riding life:
Stream and Download for $17DVD for $20There are three methods of simultaneous instruction in this product: first is obvious, the physical display of postures through video. Secondly my verbal instruction of technique and inner inquiry. The third isn’t as obvious but key: I filmed the sequences separate from the recording of my verbal instruction. Reason was so that I could get in the zone while practicing the yoga myself. A friend recently told me how peaceful and present I appeared in these yoga videos and how it was inspiring for him. Much like in my mountain bike movie segments, when a rider is in the zone, it is captivating and inspiring, and encourages people to get out on their bike, my hope is the same for this yoga video.
I trust it will serve you well!
With smiles,
Ryan
please go tell the all blacks, that they are metrosexual yuppies
The pigeon stretch is legit, I always warm up with that along with some other goodies... A simple down dog is great for the hamstrings too.
Keep it up Mr. Leech!
Namaste...
Love this new videos which are a perfect addition to my training. Keep it going!
hahahahaha!
Awesome vid by the way, i do yoga 1 time a week for 40 mins (sometimes 2 times) and ill be stealing pretty much all these poses. If you have bad joints (my knees!) then you know all about how great yoga is. Even if just once a week.
That's about what I'm hearing from the haters. Go crawl back into your cave.
Just bought these vids, the download function doesn't work... Can't see files in my ageing mac downloads folder..
Just streamed the 16 minute session. As a beginner having tried a few DVDs, this is very good. The other sessions look very challenging in part, which is good.
My only disagreement is the hip stretches where you twist your hip hips sideways agressively. I believe this is counterproductive for long distance peddlers, they left me so sore I didn't want to pedal the next day. My instructor told me that it just proved I needed more flexibility in my hips even though I was one of the most flexible people in the class. So I stuck with the hip stretches and all it did was leave me with continually sore hips. I finally gave them up and did other stretches instead, and never had sore hips since.
If you pedal tons your hips develop a certain muscle structure that is very specific, and in my opinion the aggressive sideways hip stretches a are just asking too much from your body, it disrupts your muscle structure and puts your hips in a constantly confused state....they are saying "do you want to pedal all day or do you want to be able to do the splits...Make up your mind!"
On the flip side -- stretching the hip muscles may make you feel weaker pedaling in the sagittal plane on the road bike shortly thereafter (life.nationalpost.com/2013/04/05/stretching-before-workouts-may-weaken-muscles-impair-athletic-performance-studies); however maintaining hip flexibility to be able to open your hips and get your knees outward to stabilize you mtn biking is highly important. Thus maybe the timing of *when* you perform these stretches is the most important factor.
Not my cup of tea but each to their own
www.pinkbike.com/photo/9529227