Writer, musician, yoga-loving motorcyclist.
Yoga for bikers
When motorcycling, the road delivers a pounding, and no matter the vehicle, everyone knows driving can be stressful. But it can also be relaxing. That' one reason people cycle and it's a reason people do yoga. Both can put our bodies and minds at ease. We continue because riding and doing yoga because it feels good and it helps.
Yoga isn’t just about flexibility, it’s about improving mobility to turn sideways and check our blind spot; its about balance in slow turns, and its about remaining calm in the midst of stress. Over time, yoga strengthens and cleanses all our bodily systems and refreshes our minds. Someone once said, "Yoga is psychic hygiene." And when we go on the road, it's a good idea to have our minds clear of distractions.
Gregory Ormson, former MSF rider/coach and 200-hr. registered yoga teacher offers breath and movement (Yoga based sessions and rides) at Superstition Harley Davidson in Apache Junction.
Classes are outdoors, and will start up for the fourth year in November, 2021, at Superstition Harley Davidson. Once a month, Greg leads a short ride and demonstrates how riders can use their parked bikes as props to stretch and move. Moving and stretching keep us riding and its good for us no matter what age or condition. Ride on everyone in ease and for a long time!
LOCATION: Superstition Harley-Davidson, outside upper deck for class.
#motorcyclingyogiG
Below, YOGA Magazine with feature story on YOGA and LEATHER
yogiG
The scene.
The surprises, somewhere east of Bryce Canyon, UT. Link below
https://photos.google.com/search/_tv_Videos/photo/AF1QipMyUNOZsG3f7E8E-rbF-3pn5XOs_CV_O2q0CHRR
The literature, like this editorial from the 
The people, like Rick and Linda from Troy, New York. She was wearing a hat from Superstition Harley Davidson, Peter from Australia, Ron from Hanksville, UT and the unknown fiddler below on Utah state highway 12.
Yoga inspirational number 36, published in YOGI TIMES, March, 2016. Update 3/27/18
Louie Netz, Director for Harley-Davidson’s Styling and Graphics Department, once said: “Form and function both report to emotion.”
It’s likely when observing the stylish symmetry of a Harley-Davidson, or a yoga pose in perfect aligment, to believe motorcycling is about the eye-catching chrome machine rumbling down the road and that yoga is about what we see on Instagram as yogis strike a perfectly aligned asana. That’s not to criticize this, for each pose represents the probability that thousands of practice hours went into the building these asanas. Nobody shrinks into inflexibility in mind or body overnight, and it may take years of practice to strike a pose where we bend like palm trees in the wind.
A yogi on the mat or a Harley-Davidson on the highway both perform their function at a high degree – garnering attention – but the brilliance of yoga is its regression from form to function and ultimately to emotion.
Like many newcomers when I started yoga I thought it was about what I saw. I noticed people bending into forms that were – at first –perplexing. To a lesser degree, I thought it was also about what I heard yoga could do, and that was to heal my injured back. I believed if yoga could heal my injuries I would be happy and that would be all I could expect. But there was more.
As a dedicated student, my yoga evolution was gradual; I practiced to feel better, then to learn good alignment.… read more...
Yoga Inspirationals number 52, first published in DOYOUYOGA.COM, July 5, 2016.
Coaching may seem a little controlling and something unnecessary when we’re talking about the behavior of independent adults, but in yoga space, coaching is not about independence; rather, it’s about cooperation.
Because cooperation is not a universal trait, many yoga studios resort to posting their rules and regulations in an obvious, public place. It’s not that people are trying to be nasty, but some simply are less aware of their behavior.
These rules are posted to help everyone sharing space cooperate with one another when there are a variety of simultaneous needs and norms. Rules and regulations help form a standard behavior that may not appeal to everyone, but aim to limit chaos and unbalanced inconvenience.
Listening to the way coaches talk, I’ve learned about the concept of “behavioral targe
ts and performance targets.” I’m not interested in performance targets in relationship to yoga (because that seems a metric designed for competitive sports), but my curiosity about behavioral targets has led me to think about how I would coach newcomers to yoga.
Cooperation requires a different set of group skills than individualism, and the guidelines for studios will only work with cooperation.
In yoga, you might hear that nobody is there to judge you…and I think that’s true. But, people do evaluate you.
Your teachers evaluate you because they want to know where you are in your practice and figure out how best to help you. They evaluate me too, it’s just the way humans are.
It’s been a good experience these last seven months teaching YOGA AND LEATHER: Yoga for Bikers.
Next year, I will pan once a month for riders to meet at Superstition Harley Davidson, and then ride bikes to a separate location (park, river-flat, desert plain), where we’ll practice yoga. This practice will also provide each of us with ideas on how to put our minds and bodies at ease when we stop or take a break from riding.
Here are photos from one class in January that will set the stage for next year’s YOGA AND LEATHER.
In the meantime, I hope you all find a home studio or a place near you to practice. I’m convinced that yoga will benefit us on the road, and the more all of us practice yoga the more we’ll discover this for ourselves. Thanks for a good 7 months. We’ll see you again in October.
#motorcyclingyogiG
Gregory Ormson
and many thanks to M.J. Britt for these photos of YOGA AND LEATHER: Yoga for Bikers in the Eagles Nest at Superstition Harley Davidson. Thanks also to Brina Brown and Superstition HD for opening the nest for yoga.
Follow link below to the podcast on OMBYoga to hear how YOGA AND LEATHER 
FEBRUARY SCHEDULE FOR YOGA AND LEATHER
FEBRUARY 18, Sunday at 11:00 am
FEBRUARY 21, Wednesday at 4:30 pm
FEBRUARY 28, Wednesday at 4:30 pm
Meeting on the second floor outdoor patio (The Eagles Nest).
Follow link to story in MEDIUM.
https://medium.com/@gregoryaormson/suck-bang-blow-a-riders-vocabulary-7b9e519ed39c
The next class for YOGA AND LEATHER: Yoga for Bikers, is Wednesday, Jan. 17, 4:30 at Superstition Harley Davidson. See how these bikers are keeping themselves ready to Ride On!
A BIG THANK YOU to M.J. Britt for taking these photos at Superstition HD.
When motorcycling and yoga come together, good things happen. Practice yoga at Superstition Harley Davidson and feel the roar of motorcycles below the Eagles Nest. It’s different, but bikers and yogis have never been afraid of different.
Yogis come in all shapes and sizes and so do bikers. Yoga and motorcycling require many of the same skills:
ability to be calm in the midst of stress
sequential learning to master corners or poses
movement with awareness and presence of mind
flexibility and balance
This is just a start. Find out how yoga can keep you riding now and into the future.
I’ll meet you in the Eagles Nest !
YOGA BENEFITS FOR BIKERS
Increased strength and muscle tone through weight bearing and power postures / for large bikes and long tours, building strength for long days on the road.
Improved balance by practicing one-leg standing postures / better control in tight U turns and backing.
Increased mental focus and coordination, clarity of thought developed by balance and silence in yoga practice / life and death on the bike is directly related to mental focus and clarity.
Improved sleep after a hard yoga practice / no dozing while driving, deeper sleep leads to increased energy on the road.
Improved posture / improved back and neck comfort on rides.… read more...
Niching Down: Gregory Ormson on Offering Yoga to Motorcycle Riders
In November, Amanda Kingsmith conducted an interview with me on YOGA AND LEATHER: Yoga for Bikers, the program we started in September at Superstition Harley Davidson in Apache Junction. Here is the link to that podcast where I speak about parallels between yoga and motorcycling and about how this started.… read more...
GET BEYOND STEREOTYPES. The benefits of yoga for riders are too important to let worn out cultural ideas stop us from shedding old skin. “The times they are a changing,” Bob Dylan wrote. Yes they are, and yoga practice in a Harley Davidson dealership proves it.
Both motorcyclists’ and yogis should be able to see through stereotypes, having themselves been subjects of stereotypes in the past. In many ways, yoga and motorcycling have been subjected to a similar fate, and are often labeled, which is an easy way to dismiss someone as fringe or outsider.
Many believe yoga is only for women, but from its origin, and up to modern times, yoga was practiced only by men. Today, many women worldwide are practicing yoga, and in the US, about 80 percent of yoga participants are women.
Motorcycling falls to similar sexist stereotypes and many people still believe motorcycling is only for men. The reality today is that nearly 25 percent of all riders are women. The culture and times are a changing; stereotypes of motorcycling and yoga no longer apply.
BENEFITS OF YOGA FOR RIDING
Increased strength and muscle tone through weight bearing and power postures / for large bikes and long tours, building strength for long days on the road.
Improved balance by practicing one-leg standing postures / better control in tight U turns and backing.
Increased mental focus and coordination, clarity of thought developed by balance and silence in yoga practice / life and death on the bike is directly related to mental focus and clarity.
Improved sleep after a hard yoga practice / no dozing while driving, deeper sleep leads to increased energy on the road.… read more...
New dates for November and December YOGA AND LEATHER: Yoga for riders at Superstition Harley Davidson, Apache Junction, Arizona.
November 8, Wednesday at 4:30 pm December 3, Sunday at 11:00 am
November 11, Saturday at 10:00 am December 6, Wednesday at 4:40 pm
November 12, Sunday at 11:00 am December 17, Sunday at 11:00 am
December 20, Wednesday at 4:30 pm
No experience necessary.
GET BEYOND STEREOTYPES. The benefits of yoga for riders are too important to let worn out cultural ideas stop us from shedding old skin. “The times they are a changing,” Bob Dylan wrote. Yes they are, and yoga practice in a Harley Davidson dealership proves it.
Both motorcyclists’ and yogis should be able to see through stereotypes, having themselves been subjects of stereotypes in the past. In many ways, yoga and motorcycling have been subjected to a similar fate, and are often labeled, which is an easy way to dismiss someone as fringe or outsider.
Many believe yoga is only for women, but from its origin, and up to modern times, yoga was practiced only by men. Today, many women worldwide are practicing yoga, and in the US, about 80 percent of yoga participants are women.
Motorcycling falls to similar sexist stereotypes and many people still believe motorcycling is only for men. The reality today is that nearly 25 percent of all riders are women. The culture and times are a changing; stereotypes of motorcycling and yoga no longer apply.
BENEFITS OF YOGA FOR RIDING
Increased strength and muscle tone through weight bearing and power postures / for large bikes and long tours, building strength for long days on the road.… read more...
Recovered from Arizona Bike Week at Westworld last week where I co-led 25 DEMO tours in five days for Moto Guzzi. Was it hot? Hahahahaha.
Here is the Holy (or not so) Trinity of Harley-Davidson’s owned by yours truly in the forms of creator, motivator, and generator.
Wildfire, Feb. 4, 2000 – April 6, 2016.
Biggie, Jan. 1, 2017 – April 13, 2017.
Cleopatra, April 13, 2017 – ?
Riders take a pounding on the road, and sometimes driving is stressful. But there are good ways to take on stress and care for ourselves. Yoga is one. Every four years the number of people practicing yoga in the US doubles. Estimates put at 40-million the number of people doing yoga in the US. Yoga helps with injury, it calms the mind, and people do it because it feels good.
Bikers know about good vibrations on the bike, but it’s time for bikers to learn about good vibrations off the bike.
Yoga isn’t just about flexibility, it’s about improving mobility to turn sideways and check our blind spot; its about balance in slow turns, and remaining calm in the midst of stress. And over time, yoga strengthens the skeletal, muscular, and digestive systems. It calms the nervous system and strengthens lymphatic systems.
Gregory Ormson, former MSF rider/coach and 200-hr. registered yoga teacher, is holding YOGA AND LEATHER, Yoga for Bikers classes at Superstition Harley Davidson in Apache Junction. Find out how YOGA helps bikers RIDE ON!
LOCATION: Superstition Harley-Davidson, Eagles Nest Patio, second level west side of building.
DATES:
October 14 (Saturday) Noon to 1:00 pm
October 18 (Wed). 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm
October 28 (Sunday) 10:00 am – 11:00 am
SUPPLIES: Bring a yoga mat if you have one. There will be a few extra. Wear comfortable clothing.
This is not an exercise class, but an introduction to yoga with basic poses as part of the experience.
See you soon!
Kicking off their 18th year anniversary issue of Arizona Rider Southwest, delivering biker news to all of us, Betsy and Bruce have included the full story on yoga for motorcyclists. Thank you!
It seems fitting that the yoga classes at Superstition Harley Davidson in Apache Junction will be held outside on what they call “The Eagles Nest.” It’s their second floor deck on the west side of the building. A nest brings new life into the world, and it’s where I will introduce yoga for riders. I’m calling it Yoga and Leather.
See the full September schedule below:
9/24 {Sun} Yoga for Riders @ Superstition HD on the
eagles nest patio. Come & find out how Yoga helps bikers ‘ride on’.
Bring a yoga mat & wear comfortable clothing. This is not an
exercise class, but an introduction to yoga with basic poses
as part of the experience. Class time 10–10:55am. FMI:
Gregory Ormson, 808.640.4624, greg.ormson@gmail.com
9/27 {Wed} Yoga for Riders @ Superstition HD on the Eagles
Nest Patio. See description above. Class time 5-5:55pm.
FMI: Greg Ormson, 808.640.4624, greg.ormson@gmail.com
9/30 Yoga for Riders @ Superstition HD on the Eagles Nest
Patio. Come & find out how Yoga helps bikers ‘ride on’. Bring
a yoga mat & wear comfortable clothing. This is not an exercise
class, but an introduction to yoga with basic poses as
part of the experience. Class time 10-10:55am. FMI: Greg
Ormson, 808.640.4624, greg.ormson@gmail.com
To read the article and see the benefits of yoga and how they releate directly to riding, click on each page below.… read more...
YOGA FOR BIKERS: OUR bodies take a pounding on the road, and sometimes driving is stressful. But people do yoga because it feels good and it helps mind and body. Yoga isn’t just about flexibility, it’s about improving mobility to turn sideways and check our blind spot; about balance in slow turns, and remaining calm in the midst of stress. Over time, yoga strengthens our skeletal, muscular, and digestive systems.
Gregory Ormson, former Motorcycle Safety Foundation rider/coach and a 200-hr. registered yoga teacher, is offering three Yoga for Bikers classes at Superstition Harley Davidson in Apache Junction. Come to one, or all three, and find out how YOGA helps bikers RIDE ON!
Details:
LOCATION: Superstition Harley-Davidson, outside upper deck.
DATES: Sept. 24 (Sun). 10:00 am – 10:55
Sept. 27 (Wed). 5:00 pm – 5:55
Sept. 30 (Sat). 10:00 am – 10:55
SUPPLIES: Limited supplies available. Bring a yoga mat, and wear comfortable clothing.
This is not an exercise class, but an introduction to yoga with a focus on motorcycle riders including basic poses as part of the experience.
Gregory Ormson, 808.640.4624
#motorcyclingyogiG… read more...
Recently, I rode my Harley-Davidson to an outdoor festival. For these events, the parking lot is often a large field with hidden land mines for bikes. Waiting in line to park, I watched people march toward the festival’s front gate from their cars after parking a long ways away. They walked slowly, heads hanging, shuffling their feet through Arizona dust and brown grass.
But when I turned my bike toward the parking lot, the festival’s parking security stopped me and said, “Why don’t you park over there next to the Hummer.” I took an immediate sharp left and found my place right next to the front gate. For bikers, this kind of thing happens a lot.
I parked my bike, walked over the security guard and said, Thanks brother. I appreciate it.
“No problem,” he said. “I’ve got you over there by my Hummer. I’ll keep an eye on it for ya. No need to park out there and get your bike all scratched up.”
Damn straight. Thanks again, I said, and walked across the street to the festivals entry gates.
Many of us have this experience. Hotel desk clerks will suggest we park our bikes up front under the lights so they can keep an eye on them. As riders, we like “Motorcycle Only” parking signs and they’re often in a good location. And while Harley-Davidson is in negotiation with the Milwaukee Brewers over an expired contract, the Milwaukee motorcycle manufacturer used to have a special Harley-Davidson seating section in Miller Park’s left field. The game ticket included a buffet, two-beers, and – of course – parking for bikes in the front row.… read more...
This week, Debbie and I took a four day cycle trip of close to 1000 miles. It’s not that far on a cruiser, but covering two National Parks, motoring through the Navajo, Hopi and Apache Nations while driving in high altitude with wind, smoke from forest fires, switchbacks, and snow-capped mountains in the distance was enough. With the wide disparity in temperatures hotel rooms, road conditions, and gasoline prices, there were surprises at every stop.
Vishnu’s Temple in Grand Canyon 
We visited Sedona, of course. The Grand Canyon, of course, and we stood on the corner in Winslow, Arizona. One night, I watched a Navajo woman put great attention into her small pile of scratch off games. When she talked, I saw the luminous in the dark gap between her teeth.
It’s easy to meet jokers along the way.
Bar Stool, Sedona. 
I met one – his name could have been Ron – who fit the bill but lacked a jesters hat. In an earlier life, he may have married his bar stool. He said, “I grew up in Amery, Wisconsin.” Amery is a town in one of 15 counties in northwest Wisconsin that since 1936 have been called Indianhead Country. The moniker was started by three Eau Claire, Wisconsin, businessmen as an inducement to tourism. When I told him I had swum in Wapogasset Lake, just east of Amery, he darn near peed his pants. Then his memories poured forth: thee marriages, three divorces, and lifetime battles over boundaries, precious gems, and alcohol.
Navajo Rugs 
At the Wupatki National Monument, I read the wind is strong enough to “knock you flat.”… read more...
TURN CORNERS, that’s what motorcyclist’s do. And they do it with style.
In our rider training and teaching, we learn the importance of cornering with skill. It takes more than simply turning the handlebar or figuring how much to lean or not lean into the curve. Cornering well as a cyclist is a potential life saving skill, and life saving skills happen with both technique and practice.
The uninitiated might think, for example, that slowing down to take a corner is important, but when a rider needs to get the most out of their tire traction it’s good if they are accelerating through the turn. Accelerating through the turn forces the full weight of the motorcycle down onto the tires which in turn make better contact with the pavement.
It’s a simple insight really, an important training tip. Sometimes on the road I see riders tend to forget the basics, approaching a turn too fast and then – suddenly realizing they carry too much speed into the curve – have to brake while turning rather than accelerate through the turn. Usually, it’s not a big deal, but it could be.
A rider’s correction only requires a little foresight, but it could be a life saver. As a cyclist, it’s good to remind ourselves that we’re on two wheels which requires twice the thinking, planning, skill and awareness of those on four wheels.
And the bottom line is that we all want to Ride On.
Time to defend my title?
…