Yoga and/or Pilates

[teleguy57]

Probably not a right or wrong to this one, but is one more helpful to overall core strength and mobility than the other? I've been doing yoga for a bit, and thinking I'd like to try some pilates classes as well. Budget dictates that I can't do both weekly.... (PS -- have read the core workouts wikified thread so this is for some additional insights/commentary to that good stuff)

[Too Tall]

Pilates is a tool to add to your quiver. Learn the basics of intermediate mat work than move on. Pilates changed how I sit on a bike for the good and to this day I use some of it weekly. It is good to mix it up things like kettlebell, yoga, pilates, chopping wood add up to a complete metrosexual solution for the lack of heavy farm work ;) All kidding aside, I'm not kidding. Most of us lack access and reason for hard effin' work to keep us strong and flexible. These tools are just that, convenient tools to use as needed.

I like yoga and use a wee bit of it everyday and am especially fond of sun salutation as part of a super quick recovery routine. There are forms of yoga that "do it all" but I'm not that guy who can devote 3 or 4 hrs. each week to it.

[znfdl]

Yoga is also a wonderful tool to work / strehgthen the core and other parts of the body while in the same work out providing a good stretch. I do approximately 5 hours of yoga per week and as Josh said, it has allowed me to change my position on the bike for the better. I have dialed back the number of classes that I attend each week from 5 to 1. I still attend one class to ensure that I am doing the postures correctly. I worked with my favorite yoga instructor to create 1 routine and am currently working with her to create two more routines to emphasize different parts of the body. This is the most cost effective method to do yoga correctly and would probably allow you to do both yoga and pilates.

Mark Stephens wrote an incredible book; Yoga Sequencing: Designing Transformative Yoga Classes

The sequences in this book are a great beginning to creating a Vinyasa type yoga routine. I am using these routines as a startiong point with my teacher to create more specific routines for my needs. Just my $.02

[PJC]

Yoga is good.
Do it.
It makes everything better.

The bride was after me for 10 years to start. 3 years ago I listened. It does a body good.

[-HvA-]

Check out restorative yoga sometime, uses pillows and blocks and is all about "opening" up the body, relaxing muscle tissue and deep relaxed breath. Great for after a killer ride, better than massage sometimes IME.

[thegunner]

yoga was fantastic for me during my rowing days. I ended up herniating a disc in my back and phased it in as part of the 'active recovery.' Hasn't bothered me since switching over to cycling, but part of that is undoubtedly thanks to yoga (imo)

[einreb]

kettlebell

I'm on week 8 of 10 for a once a week kettlebell intro class with a few other cyclist. Some of the warmup/cool down is a bit yoga-ish and the mix in with the bells seems perfect.

I can see how the bells can help make you "farmer strong"... gives me flashbacks to throwing firewood uphill. I always wondered why my dad cut wood downhill from the truck. Maybe he did that on purpose...

-Bernie

[Too Tall]

I'm on week 8 of 10 for a once a week kettlebell intro class with a few other cyclist. Some of the warmup/cool down is a bit yoga-ish and the mix in with the bells seems perfect.

I can see how the bells can help make you "farmer strong"... gives me flashbacks to throwing firewood uphill. I always wondered why my dad cut wood downhill from the truck. Maybe he did that on purpose...

-Bernie

You know d@mn well he did.

Sooooo, I've been taking a Flow Yoga class 2 and 3 times / week. One of the sessions is heated yoga and others in a normal temp room. What I've disliked in the past at other studios is the need for constant correction to achieve the perfect form. These folks are singing my song, help me get it mostly right along with a butt kicking workout. Every inch of me is sore, this is good stuff and helps break up the torture of Todd Hollands challenge months ;) hehe Kidding, because of Todd's leadership I've really enjoyed the challenges and I'm better for it. Yoga is keeping me fresh and (tap tap tap) biding my time until I can ride outside more.

FWIIW Some of the regulars in my class are freakin' monstrously strong. I'm taking notes, they have a good thing going on.

[962]

Don't be a flowtard.

I do think yoga makes everything better. But I prefer back bends and balancing and twists and inversions to endless push-ups.

[LarryA]

Since the weather turned back in November, I've been hitting 4-5 yoga classes a week in addition to getting on the trainer. A mix of instructors, styles, and intensities, but it's all good. Some of the classes are for the geriatric set (which includes me) and are more about gentle flow. Others beat me up in a good way (other than popping a rib - but then, I had a crash on the trainer last year so maybe that's on me;-). Some are more meditative, some more physical - it depends on the instructor, and where you want to take it.

In addition to the improvements in core strength and flexibility, it's making me much more aware of how I sit on the bike, where the tension comes from, and what is connected to what. I also have a pretty good inventory of where I'm strong or flexible enough, and where I ain't. I've also noticed myself starting to use breathing techniques when the going starts getting hard on the bike.

I have had some over use issues - mostly wrist and forearm related - but they were self-inflicted, and I've worked through them. As others have pointed out, our egos sometime cause us to write cheques our bodies can't cash. Once I learned to use my breath as a guide to how hard is hard enough, and stopped treating each session as a contest, things got better. As Clint said " a man's got to know his limitations";-)

I can't speak to Pilates, but yoga is now is a permanent part of my program.

[guido]

I took a regular yoga class for a couple of years. But schlepping out to do it seemed silly when I could listen to my body and do the routines i need in the moment at home while saving the driving. Plus I add foam roller work. Saves time and energy while focusing on just what I need.

[Too Tall]

Good stuff Guy. I felt the same regarding Pilates and am coming full circle. Suffering in the company of others is a nice motivation.

[guido]

Good stuff Guy. I felt the same regarding Pilates and am coming full circle. Suffering in the company of others is a nice motivation.

If you are suffering, you are doing your Yoga wrong. I can't speak for Pilates.

[Too Tall]

If you are suffering, you are doing your Yoga wrong. I can't speak for Pilates.

Thanks Guy, so wise.