FitSugar

If It's Good Enough for Madonna...

FitSugar — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 08:30:00 -0800

Then it's good enough for us. Madonna and other celebs have gotten on the yoga bus. But why yoga?

Madonna was introduced to yoga by Sting, who invited her to sit in on a session with yoga guru Danny Paradise. She was hooked. Paradise taught Madonna the practice of Ashtanga yoga. It's physically strenuous, and requires discipline and consistency, which she learned from dancing all those years. Madonna also follows a strict Macrobiotic diet. So now we know she wasn't just born with that amazingly strong body. She's worked hard to look as good as she does.

Not only can she do really advanced postures, but she can do forearm stands on stage and in high-heeled boots.

Want to know what Madonna has learned from her yoga practice? Then read more

Madonna is not just doing it for fun or a cute butt. She told ABC's 20/20 "I want to be liberated from my ego, less concerned about what other people think of me." She also said,"I remember that I couldn't sit still for a second. I was always on the move. I was often pretty aggressive, wild and unpredictable, but all that's changed."

Well, there you have it. Not only does yoga keep your body healthy, but it does even more for your mind. It's mentally cleansing, clearing, and calming which we could all benefit from.

Source

These Female Celebs Stay Toned and Tranquil With Yoga

FitSugar — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 03:30:00 -0700

While we may not have found the fountain of youth (yet!) and there isn't a magic pill to keep us looking and feeling young, I'm a firm believer that yoga is the next best thing. It keeps your muscles flexible and strong, and helps calm and relax your mind. Practicing yoga regularly is the secret to a healthy body and soul, so check out which female celebs have a yogic side.

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Yoga Stretch and Tell Group

FitSugar — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 09:00:00 -0800

Looking for a way to connect with fellow yogis and yoginis?

Well, FitSugar has created Yoga Stretch and Tell - a group dedicated to sharing your yoga stories, questions, tips, and celebrations.

We'll chat about anything and everything having to do with yoga.

Need an answer to a burning yoga question? Want to share a tip that helped you open your back? Do you have a secret embarrassing yoga story to reveal? Or maybe you just held handstand without falling and need to tell the world.

This is your safe place. I'm looking forward to sharing it with all of you.

Healthy Dose Link Time!!!!!!!

FitSugar — Mon, 14 May 2007 13:30:00 -0700

The Skinny Website has the skinny on celebrity diets that work.

fitPod has a new free music mix for you to download.

Renee Gets Fit shares her top 5 books on tape. The plots will keep you moving when music fails to motivate.

vitabeat reports that the AMA is urging the Motion Picture Association to mandate R ratings for movies with smoking.

iFit&Healthy explains Tyra Banks new addiction to exercise.

About: Yoga shares details on becoming a yoga teacher and the training involved.

Complete Running has details on adventure racing collegiate style. Running, kayaking, mountain biking - it is all in there.

That's Fit knows road rage is not beneficial to your health. So they're offering some tips on how to avoid it.

diet-blog shares some ratings on 5 diet meal delivery plans.

Leslie Goldman, from the The Weighting Game, has a book coming out in paperback titled Locker Room Diaries, The subtitle explains it all: The Naked Truth About Women, Body Image and Re-imagining the "Perfect" Body.

Healthy Dose!!!!

FitSugar — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 13:00:00 -0800

Let's see what the internet is serving us healthy wise. Yep it is time for a healthy dose of the web. Here's some stories I thought might pique your interest.

Tough Love Nutrition educates you with a short course on eating healthy.

fitPod has a new free music mix available to celebrate the new year.

diet-blog tells why diet pill makers are facing hefty fines.

Dr. Mirkin exposes the myths about the benefits of isometric exercises.

that's fit ask if celebrity advice is science or silliness.

Starling Fitness waxes poetic on baking "mini" cupcakes.

celeb-diet shares Cameron Diaz beauty secrets.

families.com poses the question does yoga conflict with being Christian.

Healthbolt has a great video that breaks down some breakdance moves.

Sam at realbuzz discusses the finer points of "fit" versus "sporty".

Celebrity Signed Yoga Mats Auctioned for Skin Cancer Research

FitSugar — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 13:30:00 -0700

Well designed props make a yoga practice better. A slippery yoga mat can just about ruin the calming affects of your down dog. Maybe a patented, smartly designed yoga mat signed by a celebrity would make your practice stellar? Well here's an opportunity to find out.

YogaForce will be auctioning off two of their uniquely designed yoga mats, each signed by a celebrity, on eBay to benefit the Skin Cancer Foundation. Tobey Maguire singed one of these fancy yet durable mats, and Jennifer Garner signed the other.

The mats are printed with a grid to give you visual guidance on your alignment, plus there is a built in carrying strap. You just roll up the mat, and sling the strap around your shoulder and you are good to go. It weighs only 4 pounds. The mat is sturdy and since it is made from recycled PVC it will last forever and never end up in a landfill. Which is great because if a celeb signs your yoga mat you will want to practice on it forever. Another thing I love about these mats, they are not one bit slippy.

The eBay auction begins May 8th, so mark your calendars. You can always buy a mat directly from YogaForce for $82.

So help your yoga practice and help prevent skin cancer since the entire proceeds go towards the Skin Cancer Foundation, at the same time. You know I like multi-tasking!!!

Gisele Bundchen Is a Fan of Anusara Yoga

FitSugar — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 03:00:22 -0700

How does expectant mother Gisele Bundchen stay in shape? Aside from exercising and playing outdoors with Tom Brady and little John, Gisele practices Anusara yoga in the morning for an hour.

Anusara means "flowing with grace,” “going with the flow,” or “following your heart." As the name suggests, this type of yoga has a deeply spiritual side that is focused on connecting with the Divine Spirit (God), opening the heart, and uplifting your soul. As you flow through the challenging sequence of postures, the teacher will give extremely specific verbal cues to help you get your bones, muscles, and even your organs in the right place to ensure proper outer and inner body alignment. At the end of class, your body will feel open and light, and your mind will feel calm and content. Practicing Anusara yoga will increase your flexibility and strength both emotionally and physically. If you're looking to deepen your yoga practice, definitely try Anusara.

DVD Review: Trudie Styler's Warrior Yoga

FitSugar — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 07:00:35 -0700

Although I enjoy practicing yoga in my living room, I rarely have the time - and to be honest, the discipline - to complete a whole 90-minute session alone. For those reasons, I really enjoyed the DVD Trudie Styler's Warrior Yoga ($15). The full practice is 50 minutes long, and the verbal instruction is so professional and specific it felt like a private lesson. Although yoga enthusiast Sting is her hubby, Trudie invited celebrity fitness guru James D’Silva to help lead this video. His unbelievably calming voice coupled with the gorgeous backdrop of Trudie and Sting's eco-friendly Tuscan villa inspired me to move with strength and serenity.

Warrior yoga is a type of vigorous Vinyasa yoga, where postures flow one into another. I like how D’Silva repeated the same poses a few times, holding each one for a breath, so you could feel your body opening deeper every time. The sequence included challenging poses that targeted opening commonly tight areas of the body including the hips, hamstrings, lower back, and shoulders.

Is this DVD one of my favorites? Find out when you read more.

This video set a spark under my already burning fire for yoga. I've reviewed many yoga DVDs, and this one is definitely top on my list of faves. It included all the essential aspects of yoga - attention to breath and moving with strength and control, a variety of postures to target all areas of the body, repetition of postures to deepen your stretch, and awareness of the connection between your mind and body. By the end, I felt calm yet energized, and I was covered in sweat, so I know I worked my body well. Beginners and advanced yogis will love this video, and I know it'll be one I can come back to over and over again. You can order yours from Gaiam.

Parker Posey Is a Fan of Ashtanga Yoga

FitSugar — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 04:30:00 -0700

Ashtanga Yoga is one of my favorite types of yoga, and according to People magazine, Parker Posey is a big fan too. She says, "It centers me. I like the community," and I totally agree.

The thing that's so great about Ashtanga is that you can step into any class, and it'll be the same no matter what studio or state you're in. That's because this type of yoga follows a sequence known as Primary Series, that never changes. It includes Sun Salutations (five A's and five B's), standing postures such as Triangle, seated postures such as Butterfly, the entire Closing Sequence, and ends with Savasana. The flow of the postures is guided by ujayii breath, and each posture is linked with a series of movements known as a vinyasa, so you're always moving. Primary Series is mostly about poses that stretch your hamstrings, but Ashtanga has another series (that some think is more advanced) known as Second Series, that involves backbends and arm balancing poses.

If you're a runner, dancer, athlete, or someone who likes to work hard and sweat a lot, you'll love Ashtanga yoga. It will strengthen your muscles and increase flexibility in every area of your body. If you can't make it to a class, check out this DVD.

Source

Tina Fey Says No to Working Out

FitSugar — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 04:30:37 -0700

In the November issue of Harper's Bazaar, funny woman Tina Fey reveals that she doesn't work out - at all. Looking at 39-year-old Fey I would not have guessed that she stays away from the gym. She's slim and carries herself with style and sex appeal. It's also surprising to hear that any woman working in an industry driven in large part by image is able to escape having a personal trainer.

When asked why she stays away from the gym, it comes down to not enough time in her day. The woman is busy, very busy. She's got a hit show to write, is a wife and mother, and is an Emmy-award-winning actress.

To hear what Tina thinks about working out, read more.

"Work, come home, play, kid bounce, work again, go to bed." She has thought about yoga, even done it a couple times. "But," she notes, "even yoga classes go on 80 or 90 minutes." The ethos of Gwyneth Paltrow or Madonna, with their two hours plus of bendiness a day, is not for Tina. "You will still die," she observes. "I'll do grave yoga. Someone can come and stretch me in my grave."

Tina explains her relationship to the business of celebrity this way:

"I like to delude myself that I'm in the old-Hollywood mode. I just tailor my clothes well and try to keep my skin clear. While it would be great to work out an hour a day, there is something inherently sort of selfish about it. I can't do it."

Despite not working out, the actress does focus on maintaining a healthy diet. At the age of 29, Fey dropped an astounding 35 pounds after going on Weight Watchers. The actress describes it as a time in her life where she learned to eat properly, something she still continues to do.

What do you think? Does working in a workout seem selfish to you?