Training & Nutrition

Cycling Recovery: Yoga Sequence For Relaxation

Montmorency Cherries and yoga guru Abi Carver share the best yoga routine for relaxation, to get you to stop and take a moment in your hectic week

If you know any yogis, you will have heard them joking about the ‘savasana’, the rest period at the end of a class, being their favourite part of a yoga sequence.

While relaxation is the least physically demanding part of any yoga routine, that doesn’t mean it any less important than the rest. While many cyclists are used to putting our bodies under stress, we’re not so used to making them take time out and relax.

We know that a bike ride is often the best way to clear the head – but variety is key and a little meditation and silence can help you to take some time to assess your body, where it’s weak or tight, and your goals and limitations.

Abi Carver has been sharing 15 minute yoga sessions with us for the past couple of weeks, and this week is no different. Except that this time, her session is all about relaxing. And not the sort of muscle hammering relaxation most cyclists are used to…

“We live in a world that is hyper-stimulating, infinitely distracting, rapidly evolving and relentlessly accelerating. We’re under constant pressure to be stronger, fitter, smarter, richer and more productive, and it’s completely overwhelming” says Abi.

“In order to be effective and to enjoy our lives, we need to learn how to oscillate between periods of full engagement and times of rest and renewal.”

“Most of us already excel at going stronger, faster and harder, but we need help slowing down. We have to give ourselves permission to disengage and allow our neglected bodies and over-stretched minds time to rest and rejuvenate.”

Recovery from the inside can be achieved in many ways. As well as through training yourself to relax, you can also recover through nutrition.

Cherries Montmorency say they offer many benefits when it comes to aiding recovery from the inside. Tart cherries are said to play a huge role in reducing inflammation, as well as preventing illness by boosting the immune system – are friend at Total women’s cycling rounded up these benefits and more here.

After your next adventure get a glass of juice or some fresh fruit and have a go at this amazingly relaxing yoga routine from Abi, you’ll be amazed!

Make sure you check out our whole yoga series with Abi, to get yourself fighting fit for any adventure! Love Abi’s yoga routines? You can search and download many more here!

Yoga For Relaxation: Looking for more sessions that are perfect for cyclists? Download the full Yoga For Relaxation series here.