Indoor cycling classes force you to focus on your breath as you pedal faster and faster. You have to turn up the resistance to quicken your heartbeat and leave with an energizing cardiovascular workout. When you follow it up by stretching into yoga poses, called asanas, you also focus on your breath as you lengthen warmed-up muscles and increase flexibility. Teachers trained in both can make these seemingly opposite workouts work for you.
Complements
Those who teach this style are often more athletic yogis who want to add cardiovascular activity to their asana practice. This fusion class generally combines 30 to 45 minutes of cycling followed by 30 to 45 minutes of asana. Where cycling works up a full sweat before you remove your sneakers and socks to get on your yoga mat, the asanas slow down your heartbeat as you find your equilibrium. Class ends with savasana, the final resting pose.
Teaching Class
During the cycling portion of class, the teacher guides students on a visual “journey” of fast-pedaling sprints and steep uphill climbs, achieved by turning up the resistance on the front wheel. Knowledge of yoga alignment principles enhances form and helps release muscle tension. Some good post-cycling asanas include Sun Salutations, Chair Pose, Warrior I, Triangle and Cow Face Pose, which stretch out hips, hamstrings, chest and shoulders.
Training
You'll find fusion indoor cycling and yoga classes all across the country under various trademarks. To become an instructor, applicants are encouraged to have a solid background and regular practice indoor cycling and yoga. While some instructors blend their individual certifications, trainings dedicated specifically to a cycling and yoga fusion do exist, though they are few and far between.
Certification
Former triathlete Kimberly Fowler began a hybrid teacher-training program in 2001 at her Venice, California-based studio YAS." This 50-hour program blends philosophy, bio-mechanics, the art of teaching, analysis of yoga poses and cycling positions, dealing with injury and how to choose music. Dawnelle Arthur at Season Mind and Body Fitness in Denver developed a 40-hour training program for certified yoga teachers that included cycling. Covered topics include bike positions, cycling anatomy, finding your voice and musicality.
Music
Music is an essential element in a biking and yoga class. The YAS teacher training includes a music selection workshop to help students learn how to set the mood and tempo for the class. Fowler, a former drummer, emphasizes the beat for the cycling section of class and more gentle emotional music for the yoga part.
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