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Fit Gift Guide: Yoga Lady

FitSugar — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 03:00:00 -0800

Whether you have a friend or family member who's been doing yoga for years or is just starting out, here are some great gift ideas she's sure to appreciate. Every time she practices, she'll think of you.

Manduka Black Mat PRO: Pricey, yes, but this will be the last yoga mat your yoga loving friend will ever need. It's thick, dense, and cushiony; it will protect her bones from the hard floor.
Zobha Grace Tank: The high neckline and long torso of this tank keep any woman covered. It's feminine, flattering, and stylish. If she's not a fan of purple, this tank comes in many color combinations.
Together: The Art of Partnered Yoga: Often considered a singular form of exercise, yoga is even more fun with a partner. This DVD is an essential for experimenting with partner yoga. The demonstrations and descriptions are detailed and easy to follow.

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Gear Review: slotRadio by Sansa

FitSugar — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:20:25 -0800

I love my iPod, but there is a new music player vying for my heart: the slotRadio ($79) by Sansa.

The two-inch-by-two-inch clip-on music player comes with a data card with 1,000 songs from the Billboard music charts, with prearranged playlists by music genre. I tried the additional Health and Fitness mix, which includes the mixes for warmup, cardio, roadwork (cycling), power (lifting), yoga, cooldown, and the even more mellow spa mix.

To see what I thought of this music player, just read more.

I must admit I am a bit technically challenged - ironic since I am a blogger, I know. Even with my latent Luddite ways, I found the slotRadio super easy to use. The instruction manual was simply written with helpful graphics. Open the box, charge the radio, which took about an hour, put in your music card, and go. My inaugural run with the slotRadio was great. It clips onto your clothes and is so small and light you don't even notice it. The volume button is easy to find, as is the skip button. You can easily skip genres, too. I warmed up with Lady Gaga and Nelly and moved onto cardio with a few bands I have never heard of, like VHS or Beta. The slotRadio feels like a pop music education in a good way. This little player is a great way to introduce yourself to new music. However, I had to remove the foam covers from the earbuds to keep them from falling out of my ears.

The video screen features graphics of exercises and lets you know the next song up on the playlist so you can advance easily to find motivational music. The slotRadio is also a real radio. As an NPR junkie, I love that I can switch over to radio and catch up on news or Fresh Air while working out.

I enjoyed the Health and Fitness music card much more than the standard Billboard artist music card. Thankfully, the data cards are easy to change, and there are many options to choose from, including Christmas tunes, '80s and '90s music, Latin, and classical. The extra data cards cost $40. The slotRadio bundle comes with headphones, charger, and Billboard music card. These make a great gift for the musically impaired fitness fanatic in your life.

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Healthy Dose Link Time

FitSugar — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:00:34 -0700

Another use for ripe bananas. It's smoothie time - Vitamin G
More overtly Photoshopped Ralph Lauren models turn up down under - FitCeleb
Ladies playing rugby on a pier in NYC: scrum anyone? - Social Workout
The real housewives of the big apple do cardio for cupcakes - Fresh Fitness Tips
Calling all carnivores: learn the health benefits of marinades - Mark's Daily Apple
Yet another reason fashionland is messed up - That's Fit
Hypnosis plus yoga equals Hyp-Yoga - Vital Juice

Yoga With Biggest Loser Trainer Bob Harper

FitSugar — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 03:47:23 -0700

I gaze out past the middle finger of my left hand into the Hollywood Hills as my right quad quivers holding Warrior 2. This is when Bob Harper, trainer from The Biggest Loser, says, "You might be feeling a bit of heat in your thigh right about now." He's teaching a yoga class to a few bloggers and ladies of the press, and we all laugh as our legs burn.

You can hear Bob's charming smile even in his calm instructions leading us from pose to pose. He's a thoughtful teacher, with smart sensitive hands that gently mold you into correct positions. I've had a bit of a TV crush on him for years, and now after meeting him in person, I'm smitten. This yoga class and round table discussion were produced by Go With the Grain, and although carbs did come up (as well as protein, which Bob thinks is overrated), we mostly talked about the show, yoga, and a dash of musical theater. He mentioned the contestant Shay more than a few times; she was clearly on his mind. Having lived through each moment during filming, Bob doesn't watch the show but checks the ratings the following morning. He's also learned to avoid the online community boards: "They're so mean." He addresses the recent criticism about all the screaming on the show and shakes his head in dismay and bemusement about the clip of a tirade used on the Emmys.

Bob said there is so much of the action at the ranch that ends on the cutting room floor because it doesn't make for good TV. Which brings us to yoga. Quiet, slow yoga. He actually does a fair bit with his contestants because it's meditative. "It helps them own their bodies," he explains. Working with people that weigh over 300 pounds, Bob gets creative with props, using benches to help support Shay in Chaturanga. Ten minutes of sun salutations is often part of the exercise homework he gives his team.

To see if Bob and Jillian, his rival trainer on the show, are buddies, just read more.

Bob still teaches a Saturday spin class at a Crunch in LA and has participated in the SF to LA AIDS ride, so I asked him if he rides a road bike much. "I spin four to five days a week and get my cycle time there. Mostly, I like to ride my motorcycle." Who taught him to ride? Jillian. They hang out all the time. Cute.

As a personal trainer, we know Bob is into fitness, but food is a major part of the health picture. Growing up on a cattle farm, with "two coffin freezers full of meat," Bob is not into animal protein and believes in a plant-based diet. He feels too much emphasis has been placed on protein. He really wants people to focus on fruits and veggies, and of course grains. On the show, he tell contestants that life on the ranch is the little picture. It's extreme. Going forward with their lives after The Biggest Loser they're going to need to find balance. Which is what we all need, especially when doing the standing splits to end a series of standing poses he taught in his class.

Obviously, I am big fan of Bob's - are you? How was your last yoga class? Ever taken one with a celebrity yogi? Share the details in my Yoga Stretch and Tell group.

Nike Naked Running Camp?

FitSugar — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 03:30:00 -0700

I've heard of naked yoga and naked biking, but running in the buff? Now that's something new. Check out Nike's latest commercial below to learn all about "natural" running.

All I can think about is how those poor ladies' boobs must be hurting without any support! I have to say though, this commercial has definitely piqued my interest for the latest Nike Free 5.0 running sneaker. I'm all for this lightweight and flexible shoe that supposedly imitates barefoot movement, but I think I'll stick to wearing clothes on my runs.

Fit Gift Guide: Yoga Lady

FitSugar — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 03:00:00 -0800

The gift-giving holidays are just around the corner and to spare you some of the last-minute shopping stress the Sugar sites are creating ever-helpful gift guides.

With yoga becoming so popular these days, there must be someone on your gift giving list who loves to practice. Yoginis don't really need much, but these items are sure to inspire them to burst into a Sun Salutation, and they'll think of you whenever they do.

Shiva Rea: Fluid Power - Vinyasa Flow Yoga DVD: Rea has a sweet and encouraging voice and a unique teaching style anyone can appreciate. This video is fun and contains a challenging flow of postures that work the body and calm the mind.
Bamboo Intention Pant made by be present: These capris are made of unbelievably soft Bamboo fabric that breathes and wicks moisture away from your skin. They have a snug fit, so you don't have to worry about extra material getting bunched up while you practice.The rollover waistband is super comfy and the slits in the calves are really stylish. With so many colors to choose from (black, burgundy, evergreen, chocolate, concord grape, dark blue, orchid, orange, red and sapphire) you will surely find the perfect hue.
Manduka Mat: You're looking at the best yoga mat ever (in my opinion). It's denser and thicker than most mats, so when you do any pose, it'll cushion your spine, skull, hip bones, knees and elbows and prevent them from digging into the hard floor (I hate that). This mat is extremely durable so this gift will last a lifetime.

Shiva Rea: Fluid Power - Vinyasa Flow Yoga ($14.99)
be present Bamboo Intention Pant ($67)
Manduka Black Mat ($79.50)

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Fight Seasonal Allergies With Heat

FitSugar — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 03:30:00 -0700

If seasonal allergies are preventing you from breathing through your nose, you can take decongestants, but they'll end up drying you up everywhere, even your lady business. Plus they can make you feel kind of spaced out and tired.

A natural alternative I've found that relieves congestion is to raise your body temperature through exercise. Choose heart-pumping activities such as running, biking, hiking, cardio kickboxing, or exercise in a heated room such as Bikram or Ashtanga yoga. Do it for at least 20 minutes, and once you start sweating, your nasal congestion will start to thin out a little, making it easier to blow your nose and clear your sinuses. Just make sure you have a pack of tissues with you so you can get rid of the mucus instead of sniffing it back in.

If the pollen count is really high outside, do your cardio inside to avoid aggravating your symptoms.

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Lessons Learned at Yoga Journal Conference

FitSugar — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 04:30:00 -0800

A few weeks ago I was treated to two yoga classes offered at the Yoga Journal's annual conference in San Francisco. Taking the two two-hour classes back-to-back felt like a hometown mini-yoga retreat for me and I loved it. Held in a fancy downtown hotel, hundreds of ladies and a few handfuls of men chanted, meditated, and practiced serious asana for the entire weekend.

Personally, I loved the incongruity of practicing yoga in hotel ballrooms where wedding receptions and board meetings are generally held. I checked in the day prior to my classes and was presented with a reusable tote bag full of health nut goodies: arnica gel, energy bars, supplements, even seeds for planting poppies. It was fun to go through, but back to the classes and the lessons I learned.

I took two very distinct classes. One from Ana Forrest, whom I describe as the Ted Nugent of the yoga world, and the other from the well-known Rodney Yee. The Forrest yoga class, titled "Unraveling the Mysteries of the Neck, Shoulders, and Hips," was a great way to start the day. It is the only yoga technique where I have done ab work early in class, which I love. In Forrest yoga, the neck is often kept completely relaxed with the head just hanging. It is great for anyone suffering from neck pain. The most profound moment for me in this class was a small snippet Ana said as we held a Warrior 1 for what seemed like 500 years. She said, "When you think about quitting, don't . . . and see what that is like." Sounds simple, but it helps me persevere through hard poses and hard runs too.

To hear what I learned in Rodney Yee's, read more.

This Iyengar-based class explored the bones. Instead of focusing on muscles and shapes of poses, we moved from the bones. This idea made all the asanas so much easier. We stood in mountain pose while placing our weight on the front of the heel bone (calcaneus). This way of standing balances the entire skeleton and creates excellent posture. Concentrating on centering the weight in the front of the heel in other poses made them easier and oddly helped my back. Even seated poses were about balancing the bones, which made hip openers like Pigeon easy and even. Now, when in line at the grocery store or the ATM, I think about where my weight is and move it the front of my heel. Not only does this relieve the boredom of waiting, it helps me stand tall too.

I had a great experience at the Yoga Journal Conference and highly recommend it. They have two more conferences this Spring:
Lake Geneva, WI (greater Chicago area): March 26-29
New York, NY: May 15-18

Here's the contents of my goodie bag:

Paula Abdul's Addiction to Pain Meds

FitSugar — Wed, 06 May 2009 05:55:00 -0700

Addiction is powerful, and when dealing with extreme amounts of pain, it can affect anyone. In a recent issue of Ladies' Home Journal, Paula Abdul, who's turning 47 this month, opened up about her addiction to pain meds. For the first time in 12 years she's no longer dependent on drugs. Last Thanksgiving, determined to overcome her grueling habit, Paula checked herself into La Costa Resort and Spa, in Carlsbad, CA. She explains the withdrawal process from heavy pain medication like this:

"I could have killed myself . . . Withdrawal - it's the worst thing. I was freezing cold, then sweating hot, then chattering and in so much pain, it was excruciating. But at my very core, I did not like existing the way I had been."

To find out how her addiction evolved, read more.

While cheerleading at age 17, Paula suffered the first of a series of accidents that would lead to debilitating pain. She refused surgery at the time, since doctors told her there was only a 50/50 chance the operation would correct her back. On the road to fame, she broke her leg in 1991 while rehearsing a dance routine. This was followed a year later by a car accident. In 1993, an airplane crash left her partially paralyzed, requiring 15 spinal surgeries. All the while her career kept growing, and as a veteran performer, her attitude was "the show must go on." So she turned to addictive painkillers and not-so-addictive Chinese medicine for relief.

In 2005, Paula was diagnosed with reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome, a condition that results in chronic pain. To deal with her agonizing discomfort, Paula began wearing a pharmaceutical patch that delivered a pain medication nearly 80 times more potent than morphine, and she took a nerve medication to relieve her symptoms. Sometimes she combined all this with muscle relaxers. These meds didn't relieve her pain entirely, which often led to sleepless nights, causing her to "get weird" during the day and sparking rumors that she was high during the filming of American Idol.

Thanks to her 15th spinal surgery, the pain is almost gone. Paula does yoga to clear her mind and take care of her body, and now that she's off pain medication for good, she's ready to make a fresh start.

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Class Act: Nia

FitSugar — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 10:00:00 -0800

As part of my New Year's resolutions, I vowed to try new things, so there I was - barefoot and in a room full of happy, chatty ladies, about to take a Nia class for the first time. I was excited because I had heard it integrated some of my favorite movements: dance, martial arts, and yoga. Once the music started, the instructor began demonstrating some simple movements to open the body. Tapping the toes, bending the knees, rocking the hips, waving the arms, wiggling the fingers, and rolling the neck were meant to activate "all 13 joints," meaning our entire bodies.

We continued to move through several short 10- to 15-minute dance segments, which were a fusion of these nine movement forms:

Martial arts: T’ai Chi, Tae Kwon Do, Aikido
Dance arts: jazz dance, modern dance, Duncan dance
Healing arts: yoga, Alexander Technique, the teachings of Moshe Feldenkrais

To hear more about Nia and see a video clip, read more.

The best way I can describe Nia is that it's a spiritual low-impact aerobics class. The instructor leads you through a simple choreographed move, like a jazz square, but you're encouraged to move your body in the unique and playful way your body wants to move. Nia is all about exploring your space and how your body moves in it. It's about sensory awareness, self expression, and finding joy. What I loved about the class is that it reminded me of yoga in that you're only concerned with your own body and not worried about what other people think. Although I was sweating a little, it wasn't a really intense workout, so if you're looking for a light workout to awaken your spirit and get those feel-good endorphins buzzing, give Nia a try.

If you want more information about this type of bodywork, check out the Nia website. They'll also help you find a class.