There’s nothing better then getting in to a yoga routine, mixing some classes with some solo practices at home. For me though, routine is a foreign word. I travel extensively as a professional mountain biker, and since February this year, have performed over 160 trials shows. Yoga is the last thing I’d give up because it’s the only thing that keeps me going!

I ask so much of my body doing what I do, so no matter where I go, I am sure to make time for yoga, and have never regretted waking up early to do so. I can always find space to practice while travelling, even small hotel rooms can be rearranged for the appropriate footprint. If I can open a window and turn off the air conditioner, that’s a bonus; glaring ceiling lights have to go off too. Then there is the issue of that nasty carpet, and in plank position, you get a pretty good idea of what you’re dealing with. I often grab an extra bathroom towel to lay down at the head of my mat, so that deep inhalation in to upward dog doesn’t include a bunch of dust mites, not a good visualisation!! Another thing I do is lay my mat down the same side, thus keeping a ‘clean side’ for practising on, a clever idea I thought until my wife Caryn pointed out that when I roll the mat up, the dirty carpet side always touches the practice side, there goes that theory!

In a way, mountain bike trials is like yoga; I have to put my bike and body in a variety of contorted balance positions which ideally require a clear mind. In this state of ‘no thought’ the best results seem to occur, both externally and more importantly internally. With riding these ‘clear mind’ moments are deep (my physical well being depends on this!), but at the same time are very short lived (the length of the riding challenge). With yoga, I find I can have a clear mind for longer, but perhaps not as deep (that internal dialogue always pipes up). This long lasting clear mind is of course the biggest challenge for an encultured westerner like myself (I’m lucky to have 10 seconds of this!).

Hotels often have deserted fitness rooms or outdoor decks which serve as great practice areas and if the weather is nice, it’s worth looking for a peaceful setting outside. On my recent Canadian tour (drove from coast to coast to coast), I decided to do some camping along the way, and found lakeside practice spots a couple times, and then went back to the campsite for some extended savasana in my hammock, good living!!

After a good year of solo practices where I tended to flow in to my favourite positions, I think it’s time to increase my pose database and push myself a bit, looking forward to some great Fall classes with Eoin Finn!!