| There are several ways to improve your balance. | | | | seconds then bring knees to chest. This strengthens |
| As a mountain biker, this is essential to reducing your | | | | your upper body and core, it tightens abdominal |
| number of "touchdowns". That is when your delicate | | | | muscles to greatly improve your steadiness on the |
| soft skin makes contact with either the dirt or rocks. In | | | | bike. |
| football, this term is a desirable way to score, in | | | | Practice |
| mountain biking, we want to avoid them at all cost. | | | | Just the act of doing will aid in improving your balance, |
| So let's talk about a few ways to avoid the | | | | so let's go ride! As the old saying goes, practice makes |
| "touchdown." | | | | perfect. That can't be further from the truth. I just got |
| Yoga and/or Pilates. | | | | back from Lake Tahoe riding part of the rim trail back |
| Many think that yoga is just stretching. While yoga | | | | to Star Lake. This ride includes beautiful views of |
| involves stretching, it is so much more. Yoga is about | | | | Carson Valley, Nevada only 4,000 feet below. The trail |
| creating balance in the body through developing both | | | | was sandy in sections though, which really adds to the |
| strength and flexibility. I try to incorporate at least one | | | | work of maintaining ones balance. And on some |
| session with my local yoga guru. In the studio, I am | | | | cliff-like sections, poise is essential when the |
| forced to dedicate a solid hour or more to focusing on | | | | consequences can be grave. |
| improving my core balance. For those of you that | | | | Driste |
| have the discipline to dedicate a solid hour at home per | | | | What is this and why is it important? Your driste is |
| week and not get distracted, you may try subscribing | | | | your gazing point. Your gaze is important in maintaining |
| to online yoga which offers a variety of classes online | | | | your balance. It is especially important in keeping you |
| for you to choose from. | | | | on the trail and avoids tumbling down a hill. Remember |
| I have found that keeping a large inflated yoga ball in | | | | that your bike will track in the direction that you are |
| the house to be helpful for a brief balance and core | | | | looking. If you look at the dangerous rock formation |
| strengthening exercises. Simply get on top of the ball | | | | ahead, chances are you will head toward it. |
| with knees bent and slightly straddle the ball. Keep | | | | So remember, practice, do some yoga balance work |
| your back and neck straight, keep your rear end | | | | and keep your eyes on the trail. |
| tucked to form a plank position, and try to hold for 15 | | | | |