Healthy happy you.
If you've taken a few yoga classes, you'll find that some poses are easy and relaxing, while others are better saved for those with incredible strength and flexibility. That's part of the beauty of yoga — there's a pose fit for everyone's needs and abilities. Backbends may not be your favorite type of pose, but they're so important to include in your practice because they increase flexibility Read more
You're asking and I'm answering . . . "Hi Fit!! I'm taking a yoga class at the university gym. Once every class, the teacher will ask us to do the wheel and everybody either can or can't do it. I can't but would love to learn how. How can I build up to be able to do the wheel? Thanks!!" - Tiny Bubble Read more
Do you remember this pose? It was one of the yoga challenges called Crow pose. It's part of Second Series in Ashtanga yoga, known as Nadi Shodina, which means nerve purification. It involves a lot of hip openers, backbends, and arm balancing poses. Just as in Primary Series, you'll do Sun Salutations A and B, standing poses like Triangle, and then move onto the poses in Second Series. It Read more
Doing Full Backbend, also known as Wheel pose, isn't exactly on the list of beginner moves. It's demanding both from a flexibility as well as a strength standpoint, so it's best to stick to Half Wheel, Camel, and other easier variations before trying your hand at Full Backbend. When you are ready, here are some things to keep in mind to ensure you're doing this heart-opening pose safely and Read more
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. Read more
In Ashtanga yoga, right before you go into the closing sequence, you do the Wheel, aka backbend. This is one of my favorite poses because not only does it increase flexibility in your spine, but it also opens up your shoulders and strengthens your upper back and thighs. Sanskrit Name: Urdhva Dhanurasana English Translation: Upward Bow Pose Also Called: Wheel or Full Backbend Want to Read more
You might think that sweating it out can be harmful to your hair, but you should start thinking of your workout as part of your beauty routine. Most of us know that eating a well-balanced diet helps make for a healthy mane. But it hadn't occurred to me that hair could also reap beauty benefits from working out until celebrity stylist, educator, and fitness buff Natasha Sunshine introduced me to Read more
As one of yoga's biggest fans, I'm always trying to persuade newbies to try a class. Whether you suffer from pain, stress, or you just want to get in shape for ski season, I'm convinced yoga is the answer. The problem is, some people are afraid to try yoga. Here are some popular yoga class fears and how to get over them. "I'm worried I'll pass gas in class" A valid fear, but at some point, all Read more
This week I replaced my office chair with an exercise ball. Aside from being fun to bounce around on while blogging, sitting on a ball over a regular desk chair has other benefits. If you're desk-bound, here are some reasons to consider swapping out your chair for a stability ball. Better Posture With no chair back to slouch into or armrests to lean on, you're almost forced to keep your back Read more
You see them smiling at you as they walk around the room or demonstrate poses, but do you ever wonder what your yoga teachers are thinking? Here are some things yoga instructors want newbies to know about their class. They're not checking you out to see how flexible you are (or aren't): If your teacher is looking at you, it's not to judge whether or not you can straighten your legs in Down Dog Read more
