Bicycling Mindfully

Posted by Alicia King Apr 14, 2008

I have bicycles on the brain with the spring sunshine and longer days. My bike is named Rachel, and the guys at the bike shop swear it isn't unusual for a bicycle to be given a name.

My boyfriend and I hitched up the half-bike trailer for his six-year-old son. I’m not sure if it is due to the overflow of enthusiasm or the wonderful weather, but together they rode a total of 25 miles this past weekend.

I’ve ridden a bit more than they have in the past few months, and have thoroughly tested out my bike route home from the new office. I look forward to the weather being a bit more consistently cooperative with my seasonal urge to pedal around town.

What does this have to do with Mind / Body Fitness?

I’ve never formally learned “good form” on a bicycle. The last bike I’d ridden before Rachel had been during the pre-ergonomics days when bicycle seats were low enough I could touch the ground with my feet at an intersection. But from what I know of intrinsic equilibrium (or "Primary Control" as Alexander called it) I do know that I shouldn’t be straining to ride a properly fitted bicycle.

In honor of the season, I've put together two articles that bring together two of my favorite activities:

• In Mind / Body Bicycling, we explore how to use the awareness and alignment components of mind/body fitness programs in a biking routine.
• In Internal Focus while Cycling, we explore synchronization of breath with movement and intention setting for cyclists.
• And in Yoga Poses for Cyclists, I've gathered some suggestions for strengthening and stretching the muscles that need it most when you spend a great deal of time pedaling.