5 Yoga Poses for Cyclists

Whether you bike-commute to work, cycle your stress away, or ride for the love of the sport, cycling is a great form of exercise. However, with cycling comes a multitude of body imbalances. The key is to identify these asymmetries and address them before they become a serious injury.

More: Yoga for Cyclists: 3 Poses You Should Practice

Cyclists tend to:

• Forward bend in their trunk
• Become obsessive and ride for miles and miles
• Collapse their shoulders
• Have tight hip flexors
• Overuse of their ankles

To counter act these typical cycling issues, do these five yoga poses to ride longer and stronger.

More: Start Stretching

Open Chest Stretch on the Ball

What it does:

• Stretches the chest
• Enables increased lung capacity
• Makes your body more oxygenated so you can ride longer 

Do this before or after your bike ride. Hold the pose up to five minutes

More: The Diet Detective: Is Yoga Just Fancy Stretching?

Face Down Shoulder Stretch

What it does:

• Opens the anterior deltoids (front of the shoulders). 

In other words, this pose helps open your posture when you are off the bike.  Hold this pose for two to three minutes on each side.

More: Why Every Athlete Should Practice Yoga

Bow Pose

What it does: 

• Opens the hip flexors.
• Opens the quads.
• Opens the anterior spine.
• Stretches the chest.

Hold for 10 breathes--don't grip and release slowly.

More: Pose of the Month: Bow Pose

Hero's Pose: Toes Tucked

What it does: 

• Helps elongate the Achilles tendon.
• Stretches the bottom of the foot, toes and calves.

You may experience a little discomfort at first, but keep at it. Hold this pose for two minutes.

If you have time, do the same pose, but toes untucked. This will help open the shin and top of the ankle.

More: Pose of the Month: Hero Pose 

Heavy Legs

What it does:

• Re-energizes sluggish, heavy legs. Lightening the legs will help you pick up your pace.
• Stretches the hamstrings.

Hold for five minutes. 

More: Pose of the Month: Heavy Legs on the Wall

Always consult your physician before embarking on a new training plan.