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Yoga Poses For Strength and Stability

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 13:51:26 PST

When I think of balancing poses in yoga, I immediately picture someone standing serenely on one leg in Tree Pose, but there are so many other poses that help improve your balance.

A strong sense of balance encourages stillness in yoga poses, as well as stillness in your mind. Improve your balance and you'll also strengthen your muscles and improve flexibility and muscular control, as well as body awareness. Off the mat, improved balance will encourage proper posture, make simple tasks a cinch (like walking in heels), as well as help with other forms of fitness, like skiing or surfing. Practice these balancing poses and you'll feel more balanced physically as well as mentally.

Source: Thinkstock

Yoga Poses For Strength and Balance

FitSugar — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 04:30:37 PST

I have shown you all many yoga poses throughout the year. Some have been simple and relaxing, but others can be seriously challenging. Let's review these poses that challenge both your strength and balance. They will have your muscles quivering and the sweat dripping off your skin.

Strike a Yoga Pose: Balancing Sequence

FitSugar — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 05:30:00 PDT

If you want to strengthen your quads and challenge your sense of balance give this sequence a try.

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Challenge Your Sense of Balance

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

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

Inversion Issues: How to Remedy Common Shoulderstand Complaints

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 25 May 2012 00:14:27 PDT

You're loving your yoga class from Half Moon to Pigeon Pose, but as soon as you get to Shoulderstand, you're less than psyched. Although a basic - challenging, but basic - pose, Shoulderstand can put you at risk of strain and injury when done incorrectly. Turn this pose into your favorite by checking out these common complaints and ways to remedy them.

"I Can't Breathe"
If you're well endowed or carry extra weight in your belly, then gravity causes added pressure on the lungs and throat, making it tough to take in a deep breath. A supportive bra and fitted top can help, but if you still have trouble breathing, then changing how you do the pose will make a huge improvement. Instead of stacking your pelvis and feet directly over your shoulders, hinge at your hips slightly, pressing them away from your face so your feet extend slightly behind your head.

Still can't breathe? Try the Legs Up the Wall variation; rest your lower back on your mat or, to give your hips a little lift, rest your lower back on a folded-up blanket or flat bolster.

Continue reading to learn how to alleviate neck pain and feelings of imbalance while in Shoulderstand.

4 Reasons to Add an Exercise Ball to Your Home Gym

Leta Shy — Tue, 22 May 2012 13:58:44 PDT

The exercise ball may occupy a lot of room in your home gym, but it's one versatile piece of equipment. Find out how to get the most out of your exercise ball below.

A healthier seat: Ditch your normal seat on the couch and sit on an exercise ball instead. Using a ball to sit helps correct your posture, tones your abs, and encourages you to stretch, all of which sounds a lot better than the lower back pain that too much sitting on the couch can cause.

Routine shakeup: Adding an exercise ball to your normal mat routines can shake things up and challenge you. For example, you can plank using an exercise ball at your feet to make holding your pose that much harder, or sit or lay on your exercise ball while you execute arm exercises. Even just practicing your balance by kneeling on the exercise ball can help you tone and whittle. Need some ideas? Try these amazingly effective ab and butt workouts using the exercise ball:

Find out how to do the plank pike and the hamstring curl using an exercise ball with this advanced exercise ball workout video.
Skip boring crunches and do this ball pass ab exercise instead.
Challenge your core and balance with this single-leg squat, done against a wall using an exercise ball.
Lie on the ball and work your arms with this chest press move.

Read on for more reasons to use an exercise ball.

Hip Openers and Hamstring Stretches For Expectant Moms

Jenny Sugar — Sat, 12 May 2012 19:08:26 PDT

Yoga is the perfect exercise for expectant mommas, not only to increase strength and flexibility, but it can also ease common pregnancy woes such as a sore lower back and heartburn. It can also help you hone your sense of balance, which is ever changing as your belly expands.

Here's a yoga sequence that incorporates standing poses to strengthen your lower body while increasing the flexibility in your hips and hamstrings. Complete the entire 12-pose sequence on one side and repeat again on the other. Be sure to ease into the poses since the hormone relaxin softens your joints and gives your muscles more elasticity. This makes it easier for you to stretch deeper than you ever could, increasing your risk for tearing a muscle.

*Remember to talk to your doc before starting any exercise program when pregnant.

Hip Openers and Hamstring Stretches For Expectant Moms

Jenny Sugar — Sat, 12 May 2012 19:08:26 PDT

*Remember to talk to your doc before starting any exercise program when pregnant.

The One Thing You Need to Do a Bright Lip Look Right

Jessica Cruel — Wed, 09 May 2012 12:37:00 PDT

Perhaps you want to try the bright lip trend this Spring but steer clear of it to avoid ending up with smudged color all over your face. Dick Page, artistic director for Shiseido, assures a bold lip look can be done a lot easier than you think. In lieu of a primer, he recommends turning your lip pencil into a contouring tool to keep everything inside the lines. Not only does this makeup must have add staying power, but it also helps shape the lips and balance out unwanted tones. Just be sure to draw thick lines starting from the corner on each side (top and bottom), leaving the central area liner-free. Continue reading to get more lipstick application tips.

Yoga Sequence For Balance and Strong, Sculpted Legs

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 12:31:58 PDT

Just as you can build your upper body strength in order to hold Forearm Stand, or increase your flexibility so you can do Wheel Pose, you can also improve your balance in order to master poses like Tree. The best way to feel confident is to practice poses that challenge your sense of balance: here's a yoga sequence that involves mostly one-legged standing poses. Bonus - this yoga sequence will also give you sexy, sculpted legs. First follow the sequence through on the right side and then repeat on the left.

The trick to standing on one leg is to concentrate on your breath, move slowly, focus your drishti (your gaze) on one point to help you feel grounded, and engage your standing leg and abs to help stabilize your body. If you find you're tipping over or falling out of a pose, just take a deep breath and try again!