143: The Art and Science of Yoga, with Sage Roundtree

Is yoga just fancy stretching? Nope. Today we’re going to go into the specifics of why cyclists should consider yoga, from the physical literacy it can provide, to the strength and conditioning element it offers, from the potential for an improved inflammatory profile to better recovery and relaxation.   It turns out yoga is far more than fancy stretching or breathing techniques, it can be a powerful tool to aid health and performance.   No episode about yoga would be complete without an overview of the many varieties of the practice. It often comes down to a simple question: How do you like your peppers: mild, medium, or hot!?  We walk through the six major types of yoga and when each is the most appropriate, given the time of year, your ability, and your training load.   Finally, we’ll discuss the risks of doing yoga. There are some, but thankfully they’re minor and can be easily avoided.  Our featured guest today is Sage Rountree, an internationally recognized authority in yoga for athletes and an endurance sports coach with certifications from USA Triathlon, USA Cycling, and the Road Runners’ Club of America. She is the author of The Athlete’s Guide to Yoga among serval other books on yoga.  We’ll also hear from eSports racer Jen Real, racer, Paralympian and coach Jen Sharp, and our very own Colby Pearce for more thoughts on the benefits of yoga for athletes.  Now, select your pepper...  Let's make you fast!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices