Guest post by Cascade Bike Ambassador Kelli Refer
Yoga and bicycling greatly inform each other on both physical and mental level. Both are great tools for connecting people to their bodies and to the present moment. As a yoga instructor and cyclist in Seattle, I write about the intersections I see between these two practices.
Last year I wrote and illustrated Pedal, Stretch, Breathe. In less than one year I sold out of the 2,000 copies. I’ m currently running a Kickstarter campaign to fund the second edition.
The Pedal, Stretch, Breathe book is a greatly expanded second edition, more than doubling in size and containing more stretches and exercises and a broader view of the intersection of yoga and bicycle transportation and sport.
A major new section focuses on muscle groups–particularly those heavily used by cyclists in the quads and core. A section on seasonal influences and ayurvedic principles provides guidance on activity and eating throughout the year. The nine philosophical principles of yoga are applied to bicycling. Even more poses are described, targeting the specific muscle groups used when cycling. And finally, a glossary of basic yoga and bike terms provides a handy reference. Everything is presented in a way that’s accessible to absolute beginners and regular practitioners alike in either yoga or cycling.
We’re also keeping most of the original content that has brought in glowing reviews, including the flow chart of pre-ride stretches you can do with your bike (one of the rewards includes a poster of the chart!), the “hit the wall” recovery stretches for hips and knees, tips on breathing and spine alignment, and chakra philosophy applied to you and your bicycle.
I have been teaching yoga since 2009 and riding my bicycle far longer. Riding my bicycle around the beautiful hills of Seattle has cultivated strength in my body and passion in my heart. I want to take yoga out of the studio and put it on the bike path. It is my hope to bring yoga to more bike rides and riders, showing them how to stretch without a mat and even how to use your bicycle as a prop. I’m happy to be a Cascade Bicycle Ambassador and look forward to seeing you on the bike path soon.
Additionally, Ambassadors will be tabling at a number of business fairs organized by ZymoGenetics, Urban Renaissance Group, Washington Holdings, CBRE, and Victim Support Team.
