FitSugar

Strike a Yoga Pose: Fish

FitSugar — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 14:30:15 PDT

After a weekend of swimming in a lake and jumping in a pool, I was starting to feel like I should have gills instead of lungs. My legs and hips were feeling it, too. To get my body back into a relaxed and balanced state, I did a few stretches and yoga poses that have me in tune and ready to roll on my own two land legs. Incidentally, it was the Matsyasana that may have supplied the most rejuvenation.

Sanskrit Name: Matsyasana
English Translation: Fish Pose
Also Called: Balancing Lotus
If you're in need of a rejuvenating chest opener, come check out how to do it!

Stretch It: Upper-Back Camel Against the Wall

FitSugar — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:30:00 PDT

Backbends feel so invigorating, but doing a full backbend requires so much energy and upper-body strength that sometimes I need a less-intense stretch. This is a variation of the Yoga pose Camel, and it utilizes a wall to help you bring the stretch more into your chest, shoulders, and upper back. It feels so different than doing it on your own.

To give this one a go

Kneel down in front of a wall, and place your knees all the way up to the edge where the floor and wall meet.
Now arch back and bring both hands to your heels. Release your head between your shoulder blades.
As you lean back, actively press your thighs and hips against the wall, and put weight into your hands so you can lift your chest up and bring the stretch into your upper back.
Stay here for 30 seconds, continuing to press your pelvis forward and your ribs toward the ceiling.
Then lift your torso back up, walk your knees away from the wall, and release your lower back by folding forward into Child's Pose.

Stretch It: Chest Opener Against the Wall

FitSugar — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 13:15:00 PDT

I don't know anyone who couldn't use a good stretch in their chest and shoulders. This stretch is great because it allows you to focus on one side at a time, plus you can do it anywhere there's a wall or pole. If you sit and type all day, or if you commute long distances you have to try this chest-opening stretch. It certainly perks me up after blogging all day.

To find out how to do this,

Stand facing a wall. Place your right palm on the wall so it's in line with your shoulder, and point your fingers to the right.
Keep your right hand planted firmly, and bend your left arm behind you to encourage your left shoulder to open.
Now walk your feet to the left and stop when you feel a good stretch in your right shoulder and chest.
Hold for 30 seconds and then walk your feet back to the right. Then do this stretch with your left hand on the wall.

Partner Yoga Pose: Triple Hill

FitSugar — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 16:05:00 PDT

I love when I can find ways to stretch my shoulders, chest, and back since swimming and working at a desk all day can make them so tight. This partner yoga pose called Triple Hill gets its name from the two humps your bums make and the tall "hill" bump your arms make. It's a great total-body stretch like Downward Facing Dog, but since you're standing up and leaning against a partner, you'll get more of an intense stretch in your upper back, shoulders, and hamstrings.

Keep reading to find out how to get into this partner yoga pose.[break]

Stand facing your partner about a foot apart.

Raise your hands overhead so you can touch your palms to

Stretch It: Pec Stretch

FitSugar — Thu, 24 May 2007 03:15:00 PDT

We all spend so much time crouched in front of computers it is no wonder we have tight chests and arms. Well this short (just 2 moves!!!) stretching series is great for opening up your chest and stretching out your arms.

Hold for 3 - 5 breaths

Clasp your hands behind your back keeping your elbows straight.
Actively open your shoulders and squeeze your shoulder blades together.
To increase the stretch, look up.

Interested in seeing how to increase the stretch? Then

Hold for 3 - 5 breaths

Keeping your hands behind you, bend forward to significantly increase the stretch.
Try to raise your arms as high as you can, if your shoulders are really tight that might prove difficult but try anyway. Let gravity take over while you breathe.
Keep your weight evenly balanced between your toes and your heels.

In both variations, you are primarily stretching your pec major and your biceps. REMEMBER, never force a stretch!!!

Stretch It: Sleeping Shoulder Stretch

FitSugar — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 12:15:17 PST

People are always asking me "What's a great way to open your shoulders?" Have I got the stretch for you . . .

Start in a seated position on your mat with your legs extended straight out in front of you.
Bring one arm at a time behind your back so your fingertips are facing away from you.
Begin to walk your hands further away from your head, trying (if you can) to keep your arms and hands in a straight line behind your shoulders.
Go as far as you feel comfortable and hold for 5 or 10 breaths (or longer if you love it).
SLOWLY walk your hands back in - come to lie down on your back, hugging both knees into your chest and wrapping your arms around your shins to release your lower back and your shoulders.

Intense, isn't it? Intensely amazing, I think.

Video: Chris Hemsworth on Fighting Kristen Stewart and Showing Skin For SWATH

Molly Goodson — Wed, 23 May 2012 11:35:52 PDT

Chris Hemsworth stars in the upcoming classic fairy tale reboot, Snow White and the Huntsman, alongside Kristen Stewart and Charlize Theron. We sat down with the actor during a recent press day for the film outside of London, where he opened up about showing "half a chest" in an almost shirtless scene. Chris also shared details from the set, including a mishap while filming a fight scene with Kristen. Check out our interview with Chris and make sure to see B>SWATH when it hits theaters on June 1.

Strike a Yoga Pose: Upward Facing Dog

FitSugar — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 19:44:43 PDT

Just about as common as Downward Facing Dog, Upward Facing Dog pose, or Up Dog as I like to call it, not only elongates and increases flexibility in your spine, but it's a great pose for opening your chest, throat, shoulders, and the front of your thighs. When doing this pose, try not to tense your glutes or crunch your lower back. If it hurts your wrists to have so much weight in your palms, make sure to activate your fingertips rather than putting all your weight into the heels of your palms.

Sanskrit Name: Urdhva Mukha Svanasana
English Translation: Upward Facing Dog Pose

Keep reading to find out how to get into Upward Facing Dog.

A Body Check That Won't Hurt: Tips For Proper Running Form

Jenny Sugar — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 10:49:36 PDT

Running is all about stepping one foot in front of the other. Sounds easy enough, right? But if your running form is incorrect, you'll end up with aches, strains, and injuries that could prevent you from lacing up your sneaks at all. Make sure to avoid these running-form mistakes the next time you hit the treadmill, trail, or pavement.

Head: It sometimes feels good to close your eyes and relax your chin toward your chest, but don't keep your head down (or tilt your head up) for long periods of time. Prevent neck strain and encourage an open throat for easy breathing by keeping your head stacked over your spine. Correct head position also encourages a straight, upright stance, which makes you a more efficient runner.
Shoulders: Without even realizing it, you may be running with your upper back and shoulders tensed up toward your ears. (And you wonder why you have a pounding headache or aching neck.) Every so often, take a nice deep breath in and as you exhale, relax your upper torso and actively roll your shoulders back and down toward your pelvis. Do a self-check to make sure your shoulders are stacked over the hips. Hunching the upper body forward not only makes it difficult to breathe, it also puts pressure on your lower back.

I'm just getting started so keep reading to find out what the rest of your body shouldn't be doing while running.

3 Leg Stretches Runners Should Do Daily

Jenny Sugar — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 10:41:42 PDT

I don't think I've ever met a runner who doesn't suffer from tight hips, hamstrings, or a lower back. The receptive movements and strengthening aspect of running can cause tight muscles that need extra attention. Of course you should never skip the stretching session after a run, but here are three lower-body stretches you should do every day - even on the days you don't run.

Open Lizard

What it stretches: sides of the hips and hip flexors

How to do it:

Come into a lunge position with the right foot forward and the left leg extended behind you, toes relaxed. Make sure there's enough distance between your feet so your front knee is at a 90-degree angle. Lower your hands to the floor to the left of your right foot.
Keep your front foot where it is and slowly lower your right knee outward, so you're resting on the outside of your right flexed foot. Keep your arms straight, pressing your chest forward just like in Upward Facing Dog; this will help encourage your hips to lower, increasing the stretch.
Gaze forward and enjoy Open Lizard for 30 seconds and then switch sides.

Keep reading to find out how to do the above stretch and one more that will target your hamstrings.