The heat produces a much easier stretch because warm muscles are suppler and more malleable, therefore allowing for greater range of movement in joints, muscles, ligaments and other structures in the body. This is the effect that I have appreciated most. The cardiovascular system gets a very thorough workout too. Capillaries dilate more in the heat bringing oxygen more efficiently into the tissues, muscles, glands and organs and helping in the expelling of waste. The long term effects of hot yoga are also too good to pass up. For instance, muscles and connective tissue become more elastic and allow for greater flexibility with less chance of injury and improved resolution of injury. Sweating leads to detoxification through the skin - which is the body's largest eliminating organ. It is really like a BODY facial! Quite possibly the most important plus are the mental health benefits. You can enjoy greater willpower through discipline, self control, concentration and determination. Also, the effects on the stress in your life and how you manage it are incredible. You will learn techniques to control reaction to the stressful stimulants that are encountered throughout the day. Birkram, or Hot, Yoga is one of the most popular practices for physical and mental well-being in our society today, and for good reason. For a great total body workout that can be performed on all levels and enhance your spring cycling season, give Birkram Yoga a shot and get ready to roll. If live in the Boston area and you are interested in sampling a variety of yoga classes, check out Davide Magone's Inside Yoga (rated one of the TOP 25 yoga studio teachers in the world by Travel and Leisure Magazine).
During the winter I take off time from long rides on my bike (although I still commute by bike) to cross country ski, lift weights and practice yoga. Cross training for cyclists is key and I believe yoga is extremely beneficial for cyclists as it helps stretch out and relax VERY (sometimes chronically) tight cycling muscles, especially the hamstrings and back that actually get shorter from months in the saddle. Yoga is the YANG of Cycling's YIN but both are about flow, alignment, balance, centering and deep breathing. Yoga combined with Cross Country skiing has been my perfect preparation for a stronger and longer cycling season in 2008. In fact at our recent guide meeting, while my guides can outsprint and climb me on the hills, most of them could not even touch their toes, forget about geting into a deep, relaxing Frog pose. As we stood around waiting for Marcello to start his cycling clinic talk, I just started doing yoga as they watched in amazement but agreed that AM morning YOGA stretches would be a good addition to our tours.
For many years I have taken yoga classes here and there usually following a style, time or instructor that worked for me. Friends had sworn my Bikram yoga at Baron Baptiste Studio in Cambridge, MA but the thought of the high temperatures and close quarters kept me away. Finally this winter I gave it a try and LOVED it. Listening to my body, I was pleasantly surprised at how much my muscles deeply loosened and felt so good. I love the way you start out slowly and steadily progress towards very deep stretching, opening up all the tight spots. I had ACL reconstruction two years ago and my knee continues to feel stiff and sore. Not in Bikram yoga! Although I have to be careful in some positions but in general I am able to work on the micro muscles and ligaments that surround the knee and if feels much better, looser and stronger.
Because the room is so hot, it really feels like an internal massage and an external body facial---you can keep stretching farther than you imagined getting into the tiniest but tightest creaky spots of your whole body. After each morning session I not only feel like I got a perfect "work out" but I feel amazingly relaxed and ready to peacefully start my day. I started with one session a week and quickly moved up to two and now three, energizing 90 minute sessions each week.
What is Bikram, or Hot, Yoga? Hot Yoga is done in a room heated between 100 and 115 degrees and usually kept at 60 percent humidity, depending on each studios individual policy. Although, as should be expected, you have to be in good physical health to participate in hot yoga.
The Mental and Physical Health Benefits
Despite the sweat and sometimes light-headedness that comes from this extreme workout, the benefits to your physical and mental health are just too plentiful to ignore. Your body burns fat more effectively when it is warm. Body fat may be redistributed and burned as energy during the class. Also, your metabolism speeds up the breakdown of glucose and fatty acids.
Just as when your body raises its temperature to fight infection, the raised temperature in the room will assist in improving T-cell function and the proper functioning of your immune system. While the rest of my family (and 30% of Arlington) was very sick with the flu this winter, I know that Bikram yoga was helping me fight off the nasty bugs that were floating around. I did Yoga one morning with a blocked sinus and finished feeling clear and purified
Ciclismo Classico's favorite yoga expert, Luciana Lo Presto also has an excellent yoga program in Italy, check it out: www.yogatrips.com
Showing posts with label yoga. Show all posts
Showing posts with label yoga. Show all posts
Monday, March 17, 2008
Bikram Yoga, the Perfect Compliment to Bicycling
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