FitSugar

Get on the Ball: Advanced Camel

FitSugar — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 02:30:00 -0700

I love backbending poses. Stretching through the front of my body makes me feel so open and alive. I always feel so energized afterwards.

One of my favorite backbends is the Camel. It feels amazing on its own, but if you do it with an exercise ball, you can stretch your spine even further. Just place the ball against a sturdy wall, arch back, place your hands on the ball and walk them down. You can even work on getting the crown of your head on the ground, which is a great prep for an advanced backbend called Thunderbolt. Check out this video to see how to get into it.

Music: The Calling by Pressure Drop

Running Tip: Stretch and Strengthen Your Back

FitSugar — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 04:00:00 -0700

Life taxes the human back and spine. After working with so many clients with lower and upper back pain, I sometimes wonder why we ever stood up as a species. It is truly important to keep your spine both supple and strong. Here is a great series of yoga poses to increase both flexibility and strength. Just click on the link to learn how to get into each pose.

Standing Forward Bend - You can keep your feet together or have them separated so they're under your hips. Just let your torso and head hang, and you can bend your knees slightly to bring more of the stretch into your lower back.
Take a vinyasa to the ground and come into Cobra. Be sure to keep your shoulders relaxed away from your ears and lift your head as high as you can to lengthen through the spine.

Want to see the other stretches? Then read more

Now stand on your knees so they're directly under your hips and come into Camel. If you want to take this pose even further, try doing Advanced Camel using an exercise ball. After you're done with this pose, take a counter pose for your lower back by doing Child's pose.
After stretching your back, take a vinyasa to Down Dog and do a Jump Through so you're lying on your back. Bend your knees and come into Half Wheel. After five or more breaths, repeat this pose, or...
Come all the way up into Full Wheel. Work on bringing your hands and feet a little closer towards each other to increase the stretch even more. Then after five to ten breaths, slowly drop onto your back, hug your knees into your chest and rock over your spine from side to side.
Sit up and release your lower back with a Seated Forward Bend.

Fit's Tips: This is a great sequence to do all at once, but ease into it if your back muscles are tight. It may also feel better on your back to do Child's Pose in between each back stretch.

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A Week In Review: FitSugar Roundup

FitSugar — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 04:00:00 -0700

In case you missed it, here's what we've been talking about...

Cameron Diaz has a healthy snack that anyone can eat -- Check it out here.

Jessica Simpson's arms are looking quite toned.

Since we're talking about celebs, Madonna has been multi tasking on her bike.

I am loving a few things for September: Check out my September must haves.

Short on time? I'd hit the elliptical to burn the most calories in a short time.

Half Wheel: A great yoga pose that's great for opening your heart and chest. Like that? Here's a fun video to learn the advanced camel.

Free Samples of Wildwood's Soyogurt!

It needs to be done, so here are five ways to make time for exercise.

You asked if vegetarians should eat more protein in a day than non-veggies: Here's my take.

I'm curious, What's your favorite form of cardio?

Since you're voicing your opinion, I'm also curious how often you floss your teeth.

The Dog Whisperer wears these cool Rollerblades, you can too.

Transition into cooler weather with this Nike Essential Hoody.