3 Yoga Poses that Are Great for Professional Cyclists

Cycling is a physically intensive activity that can put a lot of stress on your thighs, hips, and lower back. To help them relax, try these yoga asanas.

Highlights

• A strenuous sport, cycling tightens the muscles of your body.

• Doing yoga after your cycling session can stretch and strengthen your muscles.

• Marjariasana-Bitilasana, Setu Bandha Sarvangasana, and Urdhva Mukha Svanasana are great yoga asanas for cyclists

Bending over a cycle for long amounts of time can really tighten and stress the muscles of your lower back, thighs and hips, and what better way to loosen and relax them than some yoga? Another benefit of practising yoga is that it helps you regulate your breathing better while cycling. So get your mat out and off you go!

Marjariasana-Bitilasana (Cat-Cow Pose)

1. Start on all fours.

2. Inhaling, lift your shoulder and head upwards while allowing your stomach and lower back to dip down towards the floor.

3. Exhaling, curve your spine towards the ceiling and let your head relax and drop down towards the floor.

4. Repeat for 10-30 breaths.

Setu Bandha Sarvangasana (Bridge Pose)

1. Start by lying on your back.

2. Bend your knees and place your feet flat on the ground so that your knees are in line with your ankles.

3. Inhaling lift your thighs, torso and chest off the ground.

4. Keeping your legs pressed firmly against the floor, place your hands beside your body.

5. Hold for 30-60 seconds. Repeat 2-6 times.

Urdhva Mukha Svanasana (Upward Facing Dog)

1. Start by lying on your stomach with your toes extended behind you.

2. Place your palms on the floor beside you keeping them in line with your elbows.

3. Inhaling, lift your chest and torso off the ground.

4. Keep your gaze fixed in front of you and hold for 10-30 seconds. Repeat 4-8 times.

For more such lifestyle and yoga tips, visit the Jiva Ayurveda website and if you’re experiencing muscle pain or any recurring discomfort you should consult a Jiva doctor. You can dial 0129-4040404 from your mobile phone or click on ‘Speak to a Doctor’ under the CONNECT tab in the Jiva Health App.