Yoga for Biker/Hikers with Trish Washburn
Cycling & hiking require not only physical strength, but also intense focus and concentration to succeed. Over time, these activities can cause imbalances in the body, which can result in injury if not addressed. Yoga can help by going beyond simple stretching to work the muscles and joints through all ranges of motion. By working the body through all planes of motion, yoga creates balance, stability, core strength and flexibility. The attention to breath and mind-body connection in yoga can be employed by the cyclist/hiker while riding/walking to maintain mental clarity and calmness. The physical postures will create flexibility thus creating more ease, and efficiency.
In cycling, the quadriceps, hamstrings, and hips never rest. As a result, riders often have overdeveloped quadriceps and tight hamstrings, which can pull the hips out of alignment. Also, a cyclist's spine is constantly flexed forward. If proper form isn't maintained, it can result in muscle pain and strain in the back and shoulders. Hiking tightens and shortens the muscles and joints without a corresponding lengthening and flexibility.
Yoga helps ease the tightness, creating core strength, and aligning the spine. It’s no secret that pranayama (breathing exercises) in yoga helps with breath control; and this class will address the mechanical deficiencies that could inhibit breathing during cycling.
What to expect: A Slow Flow experience that will help expand the rib cage allowing more room for the lungs, extend and lengthen the side body, and elongate the spine. Pelvic and shoulder stability will also be addressed along with overall flexibility and core strength.
Trish Washburn received her teacher trainings from Kriya Temple, Alignment Yoga and has studied with numerous yoga masters. Trish is inspired by the deep transformations of body, mind, heart, and soul that yoga can engender for practitioners. Her teaching style is fun, creative and non-judgmental with an emphasis on releasing everyday stress and negative attitudes to experience the joy yoga brings. She brings a fun modern edge to her teaching by incorporating unique and modern music, dynamic flows and challenging variations to the practice. She is firmly grounded in alignment principles and an avid fan of yoga philosophy: lessons in yoga, perhaps lessons in life. Along with being a wife and mother, Trish enjoys participating in any athletic endeavors, triathlons, marathons and anything that builds upon her life as an ex-professional athlete.
