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In general posture etc is much better from regular yoga. I have done some work with cyclists using yoga techniques to help them on the bike. For me I use alignment techniques from yoga whilst cycling, organising my shoulders, chest, neck and lower back, engagement of bandas (or abdominal lock) for stabilisation, engagement of feet and spreading evenly through the soles to help stabilise knees and aid patella tracking. Then there is the ability to use yoga breathing to help on long climbs and with recovery from intense periods of cycling.
Last year I qualified as a yoga instructor. When I have given yoga lessons to cyclists it has been on a 1:1 basis, so very much targeting peoples individual issues. One student was getting lots of neck pain and had not managed to address it with 2 bike fits and physiotherapy. When he came to me an hour of cycling would cause pain. So rather than look to work on his neck, we focused on chest, shoulders and extension in the spine to better support the head - instead of trying to get already aggravated neck to do more work. We also worked on lower back, forward bends and knee stabilisation, and just before the event looked at restorative poses that could be done off the bike to help with recovery. He then completed the transcontinental with no problems.
And I totally agree, that hippy mumbo jumbo in meditation is infuriating, I prefer breath and mindfulness meditation.
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dancing james
At the danger of moving away from meditation, I was wondering wether your form when doing sports and posture in general has noticeably improved since taking up and practicing yoga for such a long time?
I run quite a lot, around 80-100 km a week, and since taking up yoga 2 months ago I feel my whole running form has started to change and my slightly knocked knee feels like it tracks much straighter, hence no more problems with my patella.
Also the meditation/resting bit at the end of the class is hugely depended on the instructor...I always cringe when someone goes into the detox and world peace routine...