FitSugar

TV Casting News: Ashley Jensen, Miranda Otto, Skeet Ulrich

BuzzSugar — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 15:30:59 PDT

In addition to learning about two of the leads in the CW's Body Politic, there's plenty of other casting news making me smile today, including:

Ugly Betty's Ashley Jensen is jumping to the CBS comedy Accidentally on Purpose, which stars Jenna Elfman as a woman who finds herself suddenly pregnant after a fling with a younger man. Betty producer Silvio Horta confirmed that Jensen won't be a regular on the show next year but said she's still "a member of the Ugly Betty family" and could pop up from time to time.
The ethereal Miranda Otto has been cast as one of the leads in A Marriage, a drama from the My So-Called Life creators about "a marriage that works." Bruce Greenwood will play her husband, with Kay Panabaker and Nick Eversman as their children.
I was glad to see that Dirty Sexy Money's Zoe McLellan had landed a role in the political drama House Rules, but what's even crazier is who else has a role: Anna Chlumsky, the My Girl girl! McLellan plays a new congresswoman, while Chlumsky plays an aide to the speaker of the house.
Skeet Ulrich is back on CBS in a pilot called, well, Back. He'll play the lead in the show, in which his character returns to the family that reported him missing after Sept. 11.

Source

Partner Yoga: Poses That Work Your Back

FitSugar — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 14:30:00 PDT

If you're suffering from back pain or just general tightness, this series of partner yoga poses is sure to leave your spine feeling long and flexible.

Couch Time: Stretch For Your Back and Abs

FitSugar — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 14:45:00 PDT

Sick of just sitting on the couch? Looking to increase flexibility in your spine? Then try this move the next time you find yourself becoming one with your couch. It's a great stretch and it will help you with the yoga pose Scorpion, a variation of Forearm Stand. Doing this pose on a couch is similar to doing it on a ball, only easier. The couch allows you to do the pose without much arm strength or balance, and it feels more relaxing on a couch since the cushions are so supportive.

Here's how to get into the stretch:

Maneuver your body so that your belly is on the seat of the couch with your thighs resting on the back of the couch.
Use your hands to push your hips as close to the back of the couch as possible.
Now bend your knees and bring your feet as close to your head as you can. Remember to keep your back muscles and glutes relaxed.
Stay like this for as long as you want, breathing deeply and allowing gravity to pull your feet closer to your head.

Want to see how to make this stretch even more challenging? Then

Stretch It: Fetal Position Back Stretch

FitSugar — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 10:45:00 PST

This simple stretch can really help with lower-back pain as well as reduce tight muscles in your lower back (and hamstrings). If you ever do a tough session on a Roman Chair, you'll definitely want to stretch out your back. I like to call it the Fetal Position Stretch because you'll look like you're in the fetal position when you're in mid stretch. Here's how you do it:

Lie on your back with your knees bent.
Slowly hug your knees to your chest until you are in the fetal position.
Hold for 30 seconds and repeat as needed.

Source

Be a Smart Bag Handler

FitSugar — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 03:30:00 PDT

Oversize bags, purses, and gym bags can be convenient, but they're not good for your back, your shoulders, or your neck. O magazine loves to give tips on being both trendy and healthy. And what's more important than a woman's health and her purse?

Here are a few highlights on keeping your bag safe for your body:

Your weight and your fate: (New York-based chiropractor) Isis M. Medina's rule is that you should tote no more than 10 percent of your body weight-so a bag that's more than five pounds when empty is a bad start. If your load is excessive, your head and neck jut forward rather than staying over your shoulders, which can lead to headaches, neck tension, and back pain.
Getting a handle: Long-strapped shoulder bags are out: They tug you to one side in a C shape, with the purse bumping at your hip and the strap slipping (so you hunch up your shoulder to keep it in place). Avoid chains, too; they tend to gouge the flesh. Look for short handles, not too flimsy or narrow (with very skinny straps on a hefty bag, you're asking for trouble).
No feed bags: Slouchy may be in, but Medina likes structure: When items shift around and aren't well distributed, your balance is thrown off. Even an oversize bag can work, the doctor assures us, if it's got a definite shape, a firm base, and inner compartments to keep belongings stable.
Easy access: If you have to do a major dig to find your phone or comb, you're twisting and distorting your torso. You want possessions to be reachable yet secure-a long top zipper or magnetic closure helps; Medina also likes outside pockets for frequently needed essentials.

Fit's Tip: Check out the Puddle Jumper Bag for all your gym gear, it's one that I think Medina would approve.

Source

Strike a Yoga Pose: Camel to Child's Pose

FitSugar — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 03:00:00 PDT

Doing stretches for your back not only feels good physically, but they are also energetically stimulating. Backbends open the muscles near your heart. This is the location of your 4th chakra which is associated with love and compassion. It allows us to feel peace and a sense of being centered.

Backbends also open your hips, where your 2nd chakra is located, which is associated with sex and creativity. This chakra is all about having a strong personal identity and the ability to accept change. Poses like Camel (Ustrasana in Sanskrit) are great if you are feeling lonely, sad, bored, or tired.

Backbending poses can feel really intense, so after you do one, it's great to do a forward bending counter pose like Child's Pose.

Kneel at the front of your mat, keeping your knees under your hips (hip distance apart). Look back and make sure your shins, ankles and feet are parallel to each other.
Put both hands on your hips, and gently arch back, just beginning to warm up your lower back and quads.
When you're ready, reach your right hand down towards your right foot. If your back is less flexible, stay here for 5 breaths and then switch to the left side.
If your back is feeling good, bring your left hand down, so that both hands are reaching for both feet. Stay here for 5 or more breaths, pressing your hips forward, and dropping your head to look behind you. Try to keep your knees under your hips (they tend to slide out wide).
Come up slowly, sit on your heels, and lean forward into Child's Pose. You can do it with your hands by your feet, or stretch your arms out in front of you.
Repeat this series (Camel to Child's Pose) a few times to give you energy and increase flexibility in your back, chest, hips and quads.

Source

Strike a Yoga Pose: 1-Legged Seated Spinal Twist

FitSugar — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PDT

Spinal twists feel incredible on your back. They help to lengthen your spine, and in doing so improve your posture and help you breathe more deeply. This pose is a great beginning yoga twist.

Sanskrit Name: Marichyasana C
English Translation: A Pose dedicated to Marichi (a great sage and son of Brahma)
Also Called: 1-Legged Seated Spinal Twist

Want to know how to get into it? Then

Begin seated on your mat with your legs extended straight out in front of you.
Bend your right knee and place your right heel as close to your right sit-bone as you can. There should be at least 8-10 inches between your right foot and left inner thigh.
Reach your right arm behind you and plant your palm on the floor. Press your right hand on the floor behind you to help lengthen your spine. Place your left elbow on the outside of your right knee to help you twist.
Stay here or work on binding around your knee. Do this by wrapping your left arm around your right knee. Take your right around around your lower back and work on grasping your left hand or if you can reach, hold the left wrist. If that's easy, wrap your right fingers around the front of your left leg.
Stay here for 5 or more breaths, opening through your heart, and working on drawing your right shoulder back. Use each inhale to lengthen the spine and each exhale to rotate further. If you're finding it hard to breathe deeply, release the bind, and bring your right hand back behind you.
When you're done, take a counter pose by slowly twisting your body to the left for a breath and then switch sides.

Fit's Tips: This pose is also great for relieving digestive issues, so if you are feeling bloated or are having gas pains, do this pose (probably by yourself in private) and you'll be feeling better in no time.

Work Your Upper Body: Kayaking

FitSugar — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 17:15:00 PDT

Looking for a way to beat the summer and workout at the same time? Well have you tried kayaking? I am not talking about white water river kayaking, but getting out on a lake, bay, or inlet for some paddling action.

If you live near water, or are planning to vacation near water, you should have an easy time finding a place that rents kayaks and all the associated gear. Or better yet, you can introduce yourself to kayaking on a guided nature tour. Do consider taking a lesson, to learn how to maneuver the boat as well as the very important skill - how to get in and out of your kayak while you're in the water. They are really easy to tip.

Chances are you will start off with a beginner kayak since they offer greater stability and are more difficult to tip over. If it's your first time, I recommend going out on a day that isn't too windy, so the water is less choppy.

What's so great about kayaking? To find out

read more When you go kayaking, you are sitting down with your legs out in front of you and you use your upper body to paddle. This means your hamstrings get a great stretch while your arms and back do all the work. It's the opposite of running or biking, where you're using mostly your lower body, but it's still a great cardio workout. Plus it's an excellent complement if you already run or bike regularly, so you can work your entire body. You can control just how hard your muscles work, and you can control the speed. Paddle really fast, and you'll be flying along. If you get tired, just stop paddling and you'll cruise along in your little boat. After you kayak a few times, you'll build up the strength and stamina in your upper body to go for longer outings. Another great thing - if you get too hot, crisp refreshment is only a hop away. Fit's Tips: Since you are on the water, you've got to be extra careful about sun exposure. Wear waterproof sunscreen and apply it every 2 hours. Get yourself a good pair of polarized sunglasses and a stylish hat too to protect your eyes from the sun's powerful glare. Source

What Position Do You Sleep In?

FitSugar — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 04:00:00 PDT

Sleep Position Gives Personality Insight?

FitSugar — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 03:30:00 PDT

Everyone has a preference about the position they sleep in. Personally, I could never fall asleep on my back.

I just found out that the way you sleep may give insight into your personality (or someone else's if you sneak a peek at them snoozing).

Professor Chris Idzikowski, director of the UK Sleep Assessment and Advisory Service analyzed 6 common sleeping positions among 1,000 people, and found that each is linked to personality traits.

Foetus or Fetus: This is the most common sleeping position - 41% of people sleep like this. These people are tough on the outside but sensitive at heart. They may be shy when they first meet somebody, but soon relax and open up. More than twice as many women as men tend to sleep like this.

Log: 15% of people sleep lying on their side with both arms down by their body. These sleepers are easy going, social people who like being part of the in-crowd. They may be trusting of strangers and gullible.

Want to see the others? Then

read more Yearner: 13% of people sleep on their side with both arms out in front. They are described as having an open nature, but can be suspicious and cynical. They can be indecisive, but once they have made a decision, they are unlikely ever to change it. Soldier: If you sleep on your back, you are among the 8%. People who sleep in this position are generally quiet and reserved. They don't like drama, and set high standards for themselves and others. Freefall: 7% of people sleep on their belly with their hands around a pillow, and their head turned to one side. Often friendly, warm and self-confident people, they can be nervy and thin-skinned underneath. They don't take criticism very well, and don't like extreme situations. Starfish: Sleeping on your back with both arms around a pillow is the least popular - only 5% of people choose this position. These sleepers make good friends because they are always ready to listen to others, and offer help when needed. They generally don't like to be the center of attention. Well there you have it. This info is kind of like reading your horoscope - interesting to hear, possibly true, but should be taken with a grain of salt (or possibly a teaspoon of salt). Source