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Strike a Yoga Pose: Balancing Star

FitSugar — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 03:05:36 PST

Balancing poses mostly require a tremendous amount of focus, but this one, which is a creative cross between Sage and Half Moon, requires strength in your upper body and core as well. As challenging as it is, it's also a really fun pose to try, because it makes you feel so open, adventurous, and bold.

Sanskrit Name: Utthita Ardha Chandrasana
English Translation: Extended Half Moon Pose
Also Called: Balancing Star

For details on how to do this balancing standing pose,

Begin in Downward Facing Dog pose. Step both feet together so your big toes are touching.
Move your right hand over to the left six or so inches so it's at the upper center of your mat.
Step your right foot forward two inches, and plant the sole of your right foot firmly on the mat so your toes are pointing to the left.
Roll open to your right side and lift your left hand off the mat. Raise your left leg up into the air.
Stay here balancing on your right hand and foot. Try to keep your shoulders, spine, and hips in one straight line, and gaze toward your left hand. Press your right fingertips into the mat to take some pressure out of your wrists. Hold here for five deep breaths, trying to keep your core strong and the pose steady.
Release your left hand and foot back to the mat, take a vinyasa coming back to Downward Facing Dog, and repeat this pose on the left side.

This pose is a great way to tone your waist!

Strike a Yoga Pose: Down Dog Dancer

FitSugar — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 12:00:08 PDT

Balancing poses challenge our muscles as well as our minds. Some are harder than others, and if your back and hamstrings are flexible, you'll love this one, which is a combination of Downward Facing Dog and Dancer.

Sanskrit Name: Adho Mukha Svana Natarajasana
English Translation: Downward Facing Dog Dancer Pose

To learn how to do this pose

Begin in Downward Facing Dog with equal weight on your hands and feet.
Raise your right leg up in the air and bend your knee. Then lift your right arm up and reach for your right foot. Arching your spine and kicking your foot away from you will help you stay balanced.
After five breaths, release your hand and foot to the floor, coming back into Down Dog. Then repeat this pose on the left side.

This is one of my favorite balancing poses because it's so challenging, but once I can hold my body in a stable position, it really calms my mind. Head on over to the Yoga Stretch and Tell community group and tell me, what's your favorite yoga pose?

Strike a Yoga Pose: Eagle

FitSugar — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 09:00:50 PDT

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 so much attention and focus that I'm 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. This particular balancing pose is also great for stretching out your calves, ankles, hips, and upper back.

Sanskrit Name: Garudasana
English Translation: Eagle Pose

Give this challenging balancing pose a try when you

Begin standing tall in Mountain pose.
Shift all your weight into your left foot, and lift your right knee up toward your chest.
Cross your right knee in front of your left knee, and bend both knees slightly, trying to wrap your right toes around the back of your left calf.
Keeping your drishti (gaze) on one point in front of you, cross your right elbow over your left elbow. Work on bringing your left fingertips toward the base of your right palm, and then lift your elbows straight up toward the ceiling.
Stay here for five breaths, release, and then do the other side.

Strike a Yoga Pose: Balancing Butterfly

FitSugar — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 10:00:16 PDT

If you're a runner, chances are your feet could use some extra love. Here's a tranquil pose that will stretch your arches and toes like Toe Breaker stretch, but will also open your hips and challenge your sense of balance.

To learn how to do this pose and see another variation

Begin standing on your mat with both feet together. Bend your knees and squat down, placing your hands on the floor in front of your feet.
Turn your knees out to the sides, keeping the balls and heels of your feet together. When you're ready, bring your hands to your knees as shown below.
You can stay here, or bring your hands together in front of your heart in prayer position. Hold here, balancing for five deep breaths. To release, bring your knees together and stand up.

This is one of my favorite balancing poses. What's yours? Share it in FitSugar's Yoga Stretch and Tell Group.

Strike a Yoga Pose: Half Moon

FitSugar — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 11:00:00 PST

If you've all been practicing Open Triangle, you'll have no problem floating right into Half Moon. The poses are very similar in that the focus on elongating your spine, but Half Moon will also challenge your sense of balance.

Sanskrit Name: Ardha Chandrasana
English Translation: Half Moon Pose

To find out how to get into it

Stand on your hands and feet in Downward Facing Dog. Step your right foot forward between your hands, and rise up into Warrior 1. Now open your hips, arms, and chest into Warrior 2 pose.
Place your left hand on your left hip and stretch your right arm straight out, creating length through the right side of your body.
Shift your weight into your right foot, and lift your left foot up. Plant your right palm flat on the ground under your shoulder. Bend your right knee or use a block if your hamstring is tight.
Try to distribute your weight evenly between your right hand and foot. Look down at the ground and bring your left arm straight up. When you're ready, look up towards your left hand.
Hold for five breaths and then release the pose, coming into Downward Facing Dog. Then try Half Moon on the left side.

Strike a Yoga Pose: Dancer

FitSugar — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 08:00:00 PDT

When you're new to yoga, balancing poses offer an excellent challenge. On your first attempt you may end up falling over, but once you learn to focus your drishti (your gaze), you'll be able to balance on one leg for a long, long time – or at least five breaths. The Dancer pose stretches your shoulders and chest, increases flexibility in your hips and spine, and is also an amazing hamstring stretch for your standing leg.

Sanskrit Name: Natarajasana
English Translation: Lord of the Dance Pose
Also Called: Dancer Pose

Want to know how to get into this pose and stay balanced? Then

Begin in Mountain pose. Inhale as you shift weight into your left foot, and bend your right knee. Reach for your right foot with your right hand. If you can, bring your palm to the inside arch of your right foot. I like to slip my thumb between my big toe and my second toe, so that my right hand can hold onto the bone underneath my big toe.
Reach your left arm out in front of you and stare at one spot in front of you to help you stay balanced. When you're ready, begin to press your right foot away from you and lean your torso slightly forward. If it's easy, raise your right foot as high as you can. This will stretch out your right hip flexor. Try to keep your chest open and your left leg straight.
Stay here for five breaths and then slowly release your leg back to the ground. Stand in Mountain pose for one breath and then do Dancer on the other side.

Strike a Yoga Pose: Crow

FitSugar — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 13:00:00 PDT

I love yoga poses that both challenge my sense of balance and work on my strength, like this one called Crow. I know it looks really hard, but once you break it down step by step and practice it a lot, you'll be flying like a crow in no time. Not only does it feel amazing to be balancing solely on your hands, but this pose really works your core and upper body, so it'll make you feel strong inside and out.

This pose is ultimately done with your arms straight, which takes a ton of upper body and abdominal strength. Once you can do this easily with your elbows bent then you can work on straightening your arms.

Sanskrit Name: Bakasana
English Translation: Crane Pose
Also Called: Crow Pose

How do you do this pose? To find out

Begin in a Wide Squat. Place your palms firmly on the ground in front of you. Be sure to spread your fingers as wide as you can, and press into your fingertips to release any pressure in your wrists.
Now straighten your legs slightly and place your knees as high up onto your triceps as possible, toward your armpits.
Shift your weight forward into your hands and see if you can lean the weight of your knees into the backs of your arms. Then try lifting one foot off the ground and then the other. If you can bring your toes together, you'll feel more compact and it'll be easier to balance. Squeeze your knees together slightly and pull your belly button in towards your spine to give you a sense of lightness.
Stay here for five breaths or you can work on straightening your arms. It's OK if you lose your balance and fall over. It took me a ton of tries to be able to stay balanced. Just keep trying!
After you've had enough, release your feet down to the ground and come into Child's pose to give your lower back and upper body a break. Then do these two wrist stretches to increase flexibility in your hands and wrists.

Strike a Yoga Pose: Headstand A and B

FitSugar — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 10:15:00 PST

Inversions are some of my favorite types of Yoga poses because I love how energized I feel getting blood circulating to my head. Plus overcoming the challenge of putting your head where your feet should be is quite satisfying. Talk about an ego boost. It should come as no surprise that inversions give you a new and interesting perspective on life.

Since I have shown you all Bound Headstand A, let's move onto Bound Headstand B. Both poses are part of the closing sequence in Ashtanga yoga, and they come right after Extended Fish pose.

Sanskrit Name: Sirsasana A and B
English Translation: Head Standing Posture A and B
Also Called: Bound Headstand and Half Bound Headstand

How do you get into it? To find out

Begin with your hands and knees on the mat. Lower your elbows to the floor and interlace your fingers, bringing your lowest pinky in front of the other pinky so both pinkies are on the floor, forming a semicircle with your hands.
Place the back of your head against your palms, and the top of your head on the mat, so your skull is vertical to the floor. Once your head and forearms feel stable, straighten both legs and walk your feet towards your face as far as you can.
Shift your hips over your shoulders, and keep your elbows planted firmly on the mat. Lift your right leg straight up towards the sky and stay here, or work on lifting your left leg up too, coming into full headstand. If you feel up to the challenge, you can try lifting both legs up simultaneously.
Eventually you can work on holding this for 25 deep breaths, but start off with five at first and work your way up to the magic number of 25.
To move into Headstand B, slowly lower both legs down halfway, so that your legs are parallel with the floor, staying here. If it's too difficult to keep your legs straight, just bend your knees slightly. After five breaths, lower your feet all the way down to the ground.

Fit's Tips: Just as in Extended Fish pose, it's hard to tell if your legs are in the right position, so have a friend watch you do Headstand B to make sure your legs are parallel with the floor. Also, if you're worried about falling over, do this pose in front of a wall. Watch this video to learn how.

4 Moves to Say Goodbye to Saddlebags

Self — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:54:13 PST

We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Self here on FitSugar!

If you're saddled with saddlebags, you probably think you got the short end of the family gene pool stick. But, lucky for you, those pesky fat deposits surrounding your hips, thighs, and butt are far easier to banish than, say, Great Aunt Hilda or your bossy big sister. "Saddlebags are largely determined by genetics, hormones, and age, but women can still affect the shape of their bodies through nutrition and exercise," says Rebekah Rotstein, a New York-based Pilates instructor who recently released the Pilates For Buff Bones DVD.

Not sure where to begin? Rotstein recommends utilizing large muscle groups rather than relying on spot training for fast results. "Pilates get results because it's a whole-body exercise program and works your muscles synergistically," she says. "Muscles aren't meant to function independently but as a team!"

Just remember to keep your expectations realistic. No workout in the world can turn you into Cameron Diaz overnight. "All women have padding at their hips, no matter how thin we are (even Diaz!)," says Rotstein. "It's what differentiates us from men and accentuates the curves you've got!"

To tone up those saddlebags fast, add these four moves to your regular workout routine. Check out the moves after the break.

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.