Best Yoga Poses for Cyclists
Whether you’re exploring the rugged trails of the Callaghan Valley, enjoying a day at the Whistler Mountain Bike Park, or cycling on the Sea to Sky – biking can leave you sore and stiff the next day, making it hard to get out and hit those trails the following day.
Try some of these post-bike stretches so that you can keep limber all season long!
Sphinx Pose
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Being hunched on a road bike or gripping tightly while riding downhill can leave you with stiff shoulders and a sore upper back. Try Sphinx pose to counter that action.
How to:
Lay down on your tummy, bring your palms face down under your shoulders and lift up so that your elbows are at 90 degrees. Relax your belly down to the floor while you look straight ahead. Keep your shoulders relaxed and away from your ears. This gentle backbend will help counter the rounded position that is held while biking and will help to improve your posture.
Want to take it up a notch?
While in Sphinx, push up into your palms and raise up a little higher into a Cobra. The elbows are nice and tucked, touching the ribs. Remember to keep the belly relaxed; it's all in the palms!
Cycling builds up the muscles in the legs so much, but that lactic acid that builds up can be very painful if the muscles aren’t stretched out post ride. After an intense day riding, it can also make it hard to get out of bed.
Head to Knee Pose
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How to:
Stretch out your hamstrings and calves by sitting on the ground with your feet out in front of you. Bend one knee and place your heel by your groin. Straighten the spine and lean forward to grab the outer edges of your foot.
Too stiff to touch your feet? Not to worry! Place a yoga strap or a belt around the outer edge of your feet and lean forward. Hold for 30-60 seconds on each side.
Want to go a little further?
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Sit with legs wide apart in a straddle splits. Bend one leg, placing the heel to the groin. With the body open to the side of the room, lean over and reach for the foot of the straightened leg.
Look up to the ceiling so that your side body gets a good stretch into all those little muscles between the ribs. This stretch is a 2-in-1 as you get the side body AND the hamstrings.
Photo Credit: Tourism Whistler / Mike Crane
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