FitSugar

Mandy Moore Goes Deep to Find Balance

FitSugar — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 06:00:06 -0700

Mandy Moore appears to accept herself gracefully, brushing off Hollywood ideals and expectations and replacing them with her own. While dealing with a relatable love-hate relationship with her hips, the singer is working to achieve a deeper sense of balance in her life. She told Women's Health, "I'm into having balance in my life and trying to treat myself well." To find out how Mandy nourishes her body and mind, read more.

Mandy exercises her body by going on hikes and doing Pilates three or four times a week, and she achieves mental health and happiness by receiving regular acupuncture sessions and going to therapy. She loves acupuncture and says, "It's so restorative. It brings me back to myself." The therapy sessions are "freeing" for Mandy because she gets an unbiased view and doesn't feel like she's being judged. It's clear that Mandy is doing everything she can to take care of herself, and her efforts are paying off.

Words That Move You . . .

FitSugar — Fri, 01 May 2009 15:49:00 -0700

"Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving."
- Albert Einstein

Need more motivation? Check out all of my words that move you.

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Fit Tip: Runners Should Balance Out Leg Muscles

FitSugar — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 04:30:00 -0700

If you, like me, spend a lot of time running (on the treadmill or outside) then you're definitely giving your hamstrings a nice workout, which is awesome. Keep in mind, though, that it is important to work opposing muscles in order to keep your body alignment and balance in check. This does not mean you need to start running backwards (unless you want to, of course). Instead, just be sure to work your quads (the hamstrings opposing muscle group) a few times a week and doing so should help balance out all the great running you're doing.

And in case you're wondering . . . a good, no fuss exercise that is a surefire way to work your quads is squats.

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Multitasking Move: Balancing and Brushing Teeth

FitSugar — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 02:00:00 -0800

We all know that improving your balance can improve your life. As can good dental hygiene, so how about combining the two? You all know I love to multitask so recently when I am brushing my teeth, I balance on one leg for a minute and then on the other leg for another minute. This way I am getting in my two minute brush time, but I am also working on my balance as well. It's easy to do so try it out, and let me know what you think.

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Improve Your Balance, Improve Your Life

FitSugar — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 11:45:00 -0800

If you're like me then you may find yourself saying, "I have horrible balance." While I thought I was doomed to wobbling around every time I put on my shoes standing up, I found out that you can improve your balance easily. Why does it even matter? Well balance training repairs damaged pathways to the brain, strengthens weakened stabilizing muscles, and teaches the body new strategies for keeping itself upright. What's more? Jumping over puddles, standing on a ladder to change light bulbs, snowboarding, and riding on the bus (standing up) all require balance, so a little improvement just makes your life easier.

To find out how to help improve your own balance, just read more.

I found these tips from Canada.com extremely helping in improving my own balance:

Start by standing on one leg and then the other for several seconds each. If this simple task isn't enough to throw you off kilter, stand on one leg while brushing your teeth or washing the dishes using the counter to steady any wobbles before they lead to a fall.

If that's too easy, try it with your eyes closed or on an unstable surface like a pillow. Both stances increase the challenge considerably and teach your body how to stabilize when sensory data is impaired and the environment becomes unstable.

If you're looking to improve your balance further then try yoga exercises on a BOSU or balance board, and even walking while putting one foot directly in front of the other should help - it may not make you Nadia Comenici but it's a start, right?

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Strike a Yoga Pose: Tree

FitSugar — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 04:00:00 -0800

When most people think of yoga, they imagine someone in Lotus pose or this pose called Tree. This pose is all about challenging your sense of balance, but it also promotes good posture and opens your hips.

Sanskrit Name: Vrksasana
English Translation: Tree Pose

Want to know my trick for staying in this pose? Then read more

When doing this pose, it's important that you wear pants and not shorts, since the sole of your foot will end up sliding down your bare leg.

To get into this pose, stand with your feet together. Put all your weight into your left foot and lift your right foot off the ground.
Grab onto your right ankle with your right hand, flex your foot and place your heel as far up your leg as possible with your toes pointing down. Place your foot wherever it feels comfortable. It's OK to rest it on your knee if that's as high as your right foot will go.
To keep your right foot planted, actively press your left leg against the sole of your right foot, and at the same time, press the sole of your right foot against your left leg. These two opposing forces will help to prevent your right foot from slipping down. Also draw your right knee back to open your hip. This also keeps your right foot in place.
Press your palms together in front of your heart, and if it feels OK raise your arms straight over your head. Gaze softly at a still point in front of you to help you stay balanced.
Keep your spine nice and long and tuck in your tailbone. Focus on keeping your belly still and breathing into your ribs. Stay here for five or more breaths and then do the other side.

Fit's Tips: Is this pose super easy for you? Try doing it with your eyes closed.

Balancing Act

FitSugar — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 12:30:00 -0800

Say you want to improve your sense of balance and you don’t have $100 bucks to kick down for a groovy Vew-Do board. There’s still plenty you can do to hone your balancing skills. And it is a great thing to work since your sense of balance begins to decline after age 25. Ahhh . . . balance is wasted on the young.

Here's what you can do:

Start by simply standing on one foot. Hold onto a wall if you need to. Most importantly though, do not lock your knees and keep you ankles soft, too.
To bump this up a notch, try closing your eyes and standing on one leg - this may sound easy but try it right now and see how you do. This is a great exercise if you have weak ankles that tend to sprain easily.

To see how to work your balance while at the gym, just read more.

You can multitask and work your balance by standing on one leg for 8 bicep curls and complete the set by switching legs and doing another 8 bicep curls. Here you will be working your core to stabilize the small muscles around your ankle joints, improving your balancing skills and building stronger arms.
To up the ante on single-leg bicep curls, try alternating bicep curls so your body has to adjust as the side of your upper body does two different things. Or even harder, try them standing on a BOSU.

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Challenge Your Sense of Balance

FitSugar — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 09:30:00 -0700

Many people take up Yoga as a way to relax, reduce stress and bring a sense of inner calmness. For me, balancing poses are the most effective at reducing the stresses of life because they require all my attention and focus, that I am forced to forget about everything else. Staying in the pose and not falling requires all your effort and concentration. Once you release the pose, you feel an amazing wave of relief and contentment.

Here are some of my favorite balancing poses. Some of them solely challenge your sense of balance, and others also challenge your strength and flexibility. Just click on the name of the pose to learn how to get into them.

Sanskrit Name: Bakasana English Translation: Crane Pose Also Called: Crow
Sanskrit Name: (beginner's) Vasisthasana English Translation: Sage Pose Also Called: Side Plank

Want to see the others? Then read more

Sanskrit Name: Bakasana English Translation: Half Moon Pose Also Called:
Sanskrit Name: Upavishta Konasana English Translation: Seated Angle Pose Also Called: Balancing Wide Legs
Sanskrit Name: Baddha Hasta Sirsasana B English Translation: Bound Hands Headstand Pose Also Called: Double Arm Headstand

Sanskrit Name: Pincha Mayurasana English Translation: Feathered Peacock Pose Also Called: Forearm Stand
Sanskrit Name: Garudasana English Translation: Eagle Pose Also Called: Eagle
Sanskrit name: Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana A English translation: Extended Hand to Big Toe Pose Also called: Standing Hand to Big Toe A

Strike a Yoga Pose: Forearm Stand

FitSugar — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 04:00:00 -0700

I love inversions. I love the challenge of trying to stay balanced. I love how strong my upper body feels while I'm in it, and I love how energized I feel getting fresh blood circulating to my brain.

Headstands, forearm stands, and handstands are all kinds of balancing inversions.
Headstands are the easiest inversion since your head and your forearms are planted on the ground. Handstands are the hardest (I think), because only your hands are holding your body up.

So that leaves forearm stands right in the middle with a moderate level of difficulty. You may find them easier than handstands, since both your forearms are helping you to stay balanced. Plus, you are lower to the ground, so you may find this easier to get into - it's less scary. This pose has a lot to do with shoulder and upper back strength, but it's also about engaging your core muscles.

Sanskrit Name: Pincha Mayurasana
English Translation: Feathered Peacock Pose
Also Called: Forearm Stand

Want some tips for getting into it? Then read more

If you are new to this pose, bring your mat up to a stable wall. Drop onto your hands and knees with your fingers about 3 feet or so away from the wall.

In order to measure how far apart your arms need to be, grab a hold of opposite elbows with your hands (so your forearms are parallel with the front of your mat). Now straighten your arms out creating a straight line between both elbows, forearms, and middle fingers. Try to keep your arms parallel, and don't let your elbows slide out to the sides (or you'll end up doing a face plant).
Walk your feet as close as you can towards your head and gaze between your hands - NOT at your feet.
Now lift your right leg straight up. Stay here or work on taking little hops. Do this by bending your left knee slightly, and popping off the ball of your left foot. Keep your right leg lifted and work on holding your legs in split position (like the picture to the right). If you are near a wall, make sure you are close enough to touch it with just your toes.
Once you've found your balance, you can work on bringing your legs together straight up towards the ceiling. Tucking your tailbone and your ribs in will help you stay balanced.
Don't forget to try kicking up with the left leg too.
After you've had enough of forearm stand, come down into Child's pose and rest.

Keep practicing and I know you'll soon have that "aha" moment where you finally feel yourself staying balanced. It's a feeling like no other.

Strike a Yoga Pose: Handstand Trick

FitSugar — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 07:30:00 -0700

Spring weather always reminds of how much I love doing handstands in the grass. You can really dig your fingertips into the earth to get some grip, and if you lose your balance - so what? You have a nice cushion of grass to fall on.

In the Yoga Stretch and Tell Group, one of our readers, snowdaytoday had a question about how to stay up and balanced in handstand.

Doing handstand in the middle of space, with no help can be really scary. I'm a firm believer in using the wall to lean on, but you want to do it in such a way that you can work on your balance at the same time. You don't want to rely on the wall completely for support because then you'll never achieve the strength and balance to stay up on your own.

Here's something you can practice against a wall. Want to see? Then read more

Stand facing a stable, bare wall (you don't want to kick up and knock over a painting or go through a door). Place your hands flat on the floor, with your fingertips about 5-7 inches away from the wall.

Spread your fingers wide and put pressure into your fingertips, as if you were gripping the floor (kind of like your toes do when you're walking). This will take pressure off your wrists and hopefully prevent pain, which many people complain about when first learning to do handstands.

Leave your hands planted and walk your legs forward into a short Downward Facing Dog, with both feet together and about a foot closer to your hands than they usually are.

Lift your left leg into the air. This is called 3-Legged Dog pose.

Bend your right knee and press off the ball of your foot in order to kick up and plant both heels on the wall.

Now place the crown (top) of your head against the wall so you are gazing between your palms.

You want your shoulders directly above your hands, so you might need to come down and adjust your hand position.

Now work on bringing one foot off the wall and then the other until you're balancing on your hands with the crown of your head still pressing against the wall (this will help you to stay balanced).

Fit's Tips: Practicing this position is an awesome prep to doing it on your own. Hang out in this pose for a minute or more and you'll build the muscles in your shoulders, forearms, upper arms, upper back, and core that are necessary for staying balanced.