In July 2022 I cycled from London to Paris with a group of riders for a spinal injury charity called The Back Up Trust. As 2022 draws to a close, I have been reflecting on the year, and on this experience, and I wanted to share the things I learned about yoga from this challenge.

The London to Paris event entailed cycling 500km and 5000m elevation over three days. Some of the cyclists were seasoned pros others were novices. Some were upright riders others were hand-cyclists who had sustained a spinal cord injury. We did it together, as a group, and raised £158,000 in the process. I made friends for life, had so much fun, and learnt more about myself than I ever thought possible.

Throughout the training, and the lead up to the event itself, I learnt a whole load about the principles of yoga in a completely different way to how I expected. It wasn’t so much that I intentionally took my yoga off the mat it just followed me.

1. Discipline
   

   One of the five ‘niyamas’ or ‘observances’, tapas broadly translates as discipline, austerity or even burning enthusiasm. Tapas is that discipline that helps you show up on the mat regularly to practice, even if it’s for 10 minutes and you don’t really feel like it.

   I learnt early on that being disciplined with training was important. I had to follow the training plan completely. I had to be disciplined with when I ate, what I ate, whether I drank alcohol. Even how much I practiced yoga and what asana I focused on had to fit in with the cycling training. It was possibly the most disciplined I have ever been, and it worked.

   I started to truly understand this tenant of yoga philosophy. I started to learn how little and often, building things up slowly and consistency, can have a profound impact. Tapas comes from a Sanskrit word ‘to burn’ and the discipline I was creating started to slowly burn away the doubts I had in my mind about the challenge. It showed me perfectly how consistency and dedication works in action.

2. Surrender
   

   Another of the niyamas, or observances is called Ishvara Pranidhana. It means surrender to a higher being or power. Whilst I am not going to say I surrendered to a ‘higher power’ during the London to Paris training programme I can certainly say I surrendered. I gave myself fully to the training plan, organisers, and the ride captains whose job it was to help me around this course. I had complete trust in them, which was built up during training rides, briefings and support.

   Letting go of control for me was a difficult thing. But it was part of the process of training and also to get around the course. We had 40 riders to get to Paris which is a safety and logistical nightmare, and I had to give in to that sense of wanting to be in control. For me that meant practicing non-attachment to the outcome. This whole thing wasn’t about me. It was about something bigger.

3. Self-Study
   

   Svadhyaya is another of the niyamas, meaning self-study or self-inquiry. It can also refer to scripture study. In this context I am referring to the former.

   Getting to Paris required me to learn an awful lot about myself. Lots of why questions: Why do I hate hills? Why do I think I can’t cycle in cleats (clip in shoes)? Do I not want to train today out of laziness, or have I pushed myself too hard? Am I being too hard on myself and getting enough rest and recovery time?

   I had to get to know myself in a different way. I had to question, be honest and work on transforming the narrative running through my mind.

   Yoga Sutra 2.1

   Only when I got back from Paris and started reflecting on the experience did I realise that I had put into action the teachings of yoga sutra 2.1 which outlines kriya yoga. The sutra translates as:

   “Purification and training of the senses, the study of the Self, and surrendering the fruits of actions to God is Kriya Yoga”

   A full translation and commentary of this sutra can be found here on Yoga International’s website.

4. Unity and Oneness
   

   Yoga teaches the concept of oneness. Yoga itself means union or to yolk. I have always understood this in theory, but it was only during this challenge that I feel as though I truly experienced the power of oneness in action.

   I was part of Group 6 on the ride – a group of 40 people, most of whom did not know each other, and had varying degrees of experience and ability. There were five other groups completing this ride and they were all seeded by ability based on training rides. Our group was put together as we were all doing this for the same reason – a charity we felt passionate about. The power of that oneness was incredible.

   Our group supported each other in a way I couldn’t have predicted. Through the ups and downs, through physical, mental, logistical and emotional challenges we were all there for each other, united in our efforts and reasons. There was complete oneness for the cause.

   We started as 40 individuals. We finished as Group six. True union.

It goes without saying that this was a collective effort. I want to thank all of my fellow riders, ride captains and everyone who donated to the fundraising throughout 2022. We did it!