FitSugar

7 Things That Annoy Your Yoga Instructor

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:59:40 PST

Yoga instructors are some of the kindest, most caring, most forgiving people on the planet, but that doesn't mean they can't get bothered by a student's behavior in class. Here are seven things you don't want to do in front of your yoga instructor.

Talking during class: It's disruptive and inconsiderate to the other students in class trying to focus and relax, but it also means you're not giving your own practice the attention it deserves. If you feel the need to catch up with a friend, make plans to do something after class ends.
Ringing cell phone, or worse - answering it: Everyone is quietly moving through Sun Salutations and all of a sudden a phone rings and shatters the serenity. Always remember to turn your ringer off. If you're expecting an important phone call that can't be missed, place your phone on vibrate next to your mat and be sure to take the call outside.
Coming to class sick to sweat out your germs: No one wants to breathe in your germs. The teacher especially doesn't want to assist you if you're sick and absolutely can't stand when you leave your snotty tissues on the floor next to your mat. Take this opportunity to explore your home practice; return to the studio when you're healthy.

Keep reading to find out what else annoys your yoga instructor.

Open Your Heart: 10 Heart-Opening Stretches

Jenny Sugar — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 22:15:17 PST

I can hear Madonna in my head singing "Open Your Heart," and in my mind's eye see her doing her yoga moves on stage. Why not celebrate Valentine's Day and American Heart Month with a little bit of yogic love? Physically stretching the muscles in your chest, shoulders, and belly can create a deep emotional release helping you to appreciate and honor of yourself and your loved ones. These poses also bring a feeling of lightness and contentment. Try these 10 heart-opening stretches to make you feel positively blissful.

Source: Thinkstock

Yoga Secrets From Jennifer Aniston's Guru

FitSugar — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:02:49 PST

Jennifer Aniston may be making her debut as a horrible boss, but she does have one hot body. Her secret? Yoga with Mandy Ingber.

Mandy recently schooled us on how to get legs like Jen and the philosophy behind Yogalosophy - DVDs of the yoga workout are available for $15. Watch this video to learn Jen's fave yoga pose, tips for relaxing with your mat, and poses Mandy's celebs try to avoid. What's your favorite yoga pose?

Healthy Dose Link Time: How Yoga Can Improve Your Sex Life

Michele Foley — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:40:17 PST

3 ways yoga can make you better in bed - Mind Body Green
Gluten-free recipes good enough to fool the bread-eater - Health
Keep your workspace germ free with these 10 tips - HuffPost Healthy Living
More on Ioana Spangenberg, the lady with the 20-inch waist - Blisstree
20 celebs criticized for their curves speak out - Shape
Is it chocolate that's causing your acne? - Self
The secrets of happy people - Fitness

Partner Yoga Poses For Friends and Lovers

FitSugar — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:44:44 PST

This Valentine's Day, forget the chocolate and flowers. Spend some time together connecting with your favorite person by doing some partner yoga. Move through this eight-posture sequence, and not only will you experience a deep stretch in your muscles, but you'll deepen the connection with your loved one as well.

Source: AcroYoga and Flickr User lmpicard

Gear Review: Lululemon No Limit Top

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:07:07 PST

I don't usually get very fancy with my yoga clothes. A fitted tank with a built-in sports bra is my usual go-to top. It keeps my girls covered and in place, and the fitted body stays put when I go upside down. But some days ~~you ate too many cookies~~ you just don't feel like wearing something tight. You could sport a loose shirt but it doesn't offer the most flattering look, and as soon as you start moving, it can end up exposing your belly even more than a tight tank. Enter the Lululemon No Limit Tank ($64). Sexy is the first word I thought when I saw it, but when I tried it in a yoga class, functional was the second.

Keep reading to hear more details about this unique Lululemon tank.

Essential Stretches For Tight Hips

FitSugar — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:05:31 PST

Tight hips seem to be a common problem for almost everybody - from runners to cyclists, from deskbound bloggers to triathletes. Give this area a little extra love with this sequence of nine hip-opening stretches to increase your flexibility, reduce discomfort, and prevent injury. Try the series in the order listed here, or pick your faves to incorporate into your workout routine.

Questions to Ask Yourself Before Buying a Yoga Mat

Jenny Sugar — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 02:36:43 PST

Buying a yoga mat is like buying a new pair of running sneakers. It takes careful consideration and research to find the right fit. Since there are hundreds to ~~confuse you~~ choose from, narrow down your search by asking these important questions.

How Much Do I Want to Spend?
Your budget is a huge factor in the mat you end up with. Do you have the dough to lay down for the priciest one on the market or are you happy buying a cheaper mat? The upside of buying a more expensive mat, like the Manduka PRO Black Magic ($104), is durability, which will actually save you money over time.

How Thick Do I Want It?
If you're new to the mat-buying scene, you might not realize that mats come in different thicknesses. A quarter-inch is the standard mat thickness, probably like the one you've borrowed from your studio. Think about how your body feels on this mat in certain poses where your bones are pressing into the floor. If you've felt discomfort, splurge on a thicker mat, but make sure it's also dense. A thick squishy mat makes balancing postures more difficult.

Keep reading for more things to consider when purchasing a new yoga mat.

6 Ways to Burn More Calories in Your Yoga Class

Jenny Sugar — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 03:45:49 PST

Yoga classes aren't meant to be huge calorie-burners - increasing strength and flexibility and acquiring a sense of calmness and bliss, these are more the focus when moving through postures. You still burn calories, though, and with these tips, you can burn more the next time you hop on your mat.

Source: Thinkstock

Do You Love or Hate These Popular Yoga Poses?

Jenny Sugar — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:59:36 PST

Pigeon is easily one of my top 10 favorite yoga poses, but my husband can't stand it - his tight hips scream to get out of pose. Here's a list of challenging yoga poses that people either love or hate. From backbends to inversions, tell us which ones you love, or love to skip.