Yoga is for meditation & Spinning is for gym rats, right? WRONG!!! The truth is, Yoga and Spinning have many similarities from the stamina building, increased strength, and confidence building benefits to the mind/body connection. As a teacher (and student) of both practices, I find that the two (especially when combined) can be extremely complimentary in achieving one’s ultimate fitness.

I have been involved in fitness my entire life…from playing team sports in High School & College to competing in numerous cycling/running/triathlon events, surfing and practicing Yoga. I started taking Yoga classes during college to help “cure” my lack of flexibility…a byproduct of years of football, wrestling and weightlifting. I didn’t know what to expect, but what I found was an extremely challenging (both mentally and physically) experience which was, on one hand, super uncomfortable but left me wanting more…And it always has!

As a Master Instructor certifying instructors and providing continuing education, I often advise my students to to take a Yoga class and observe the language and progression of the class so they can use those same guidelines when teaching their Spin classes. A good Yoga teacher coaches students through challenging poses as a good Spinning Instructor coaches students through an epic climb or a powerful race-day.

Yoga and Spinning share a plethora of physiological benefits such as lubrication and strengthening of joints, removal of toxins, increased muscle strength, core activation/strengthening and many heart health benefits. When you are asked to flow through a series of challenging asanas or ride through difficult “terrain” the instruction could be to set small, measurable goals….Maybe, it’s to rotate your thigh to the ceiling or melt your shoulders away from your ears or hold Warrior II for 15 breaths…Maybe, it’s to hold your cadence by making impeccable circles with your pedal stroke or to maintain an anaerobic climb for 4 mins….these small goals keep people focused and in the moment. It’s all about finding a sense of calm in the storm. Yoga teaches us to sit in the discomfort, to breathe and to relax. In class, I coach my Spinning students to evaluate and accept the discomfort as opposed to ignoring it. If they find a sense of calm while pushing themselves on a hill with their heart rate elevated, it’s a huge reward for them at the summit of their mountain!

Ultimately the best exercise of all, is the one you enjoy doing. It’s the consistency with which we show up and honor our bodies and minds that achieves the greatest results. For me, that means doing plenty of Yoga and Spinning!

Chris Plourde is a Los Angeles based fitness expert with over 15 years of experience. He currently teaches popular, athletic styled Spin and Yoga classes and has created and runs RevCamp, a group fitness training program at Revolution Fitness in Santa Monica/Venice. He travels throughout the world providing continuing education, mentoring and lecturing on the physical and mental aspects of fitness as a Master Instructor and Presenter.

Chris’ next Advanced Training and Coaching Techniques workshop for Indoor Cycling Instructors will be held at Revolution Fitness – Venice, CA on Aug 20th 2011. See Website for more details. www.chrisplourde.com

Chris has a degree in Business Marketing and Exercise Science and is a Certified Personal Trainer through NASM as well as having completed his Yoga Teacher Training through Yoga Poser in Venice, CA.