Having good balance is pretty important for cyclists. Being able to find your centre of balance is pretty essential – perhaps particularly for mountain bikers but roadies will benefit when cornering and descending. 

Riding your bike, particularly on bumpy off-road terrain, will help you to develop good balance. However, you can also work on your balance off the bike, too – and yoga is a good place to start.

As well as increasing your balance, Yoga also makes you more aware of your body – giving you time to assess for weaknesses and niggles, as well as work on your strength. Abi Carver designs routines specifically for different areas of training and has put together a yoga for balance routine for us to practice.

“Having a good sense of balance is going to give you an advantage in every sport, and in yoga, you have the added benefit of challenging your balancing skills barefoot” says Abi.

“You have motion detectors in your feet that pick up subtle movements as your balance shifts. Practicing barefoot trains these proprioceptors, making them more effective and consequently your movements more precise. It also strengthens the feet and lower legs and improves flexibility and range of motion.’