FitSugar

Ashtanga Yoga: Why Avoid Drinking Water?

FitSugar — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 09:30:00 PDT

If you've ever walked into an Ashtanga Yoga class, I'm sure you've noticed that it's warm in the room, but not even close to as hot as Bikram. The warmth helps your muscles to loosen up slightly, but the quick-paced and strength building vinyasas between poses is what really heats up your body. Think of it as creating an inner fire that heats your body from the inside out, which helps you loosen up tight muscles. It also makes you sweat a lot, which helps in detoxification.

Drinking water during the practice prevents that heat and puts that internal fire out. Not only that, but if you stop every 10 minutes to take a sip of water, you interrupt your breathing and the flow of the sequence, which in turn will disrupt the moving meditation you've got going on.

It is very important to drink 10-12 glasses of water throughout the day so that you are well hydrated by the time you arrive at class. If you've been drinking all day, you shouldn't need to drink during class, however, if you are feeling nauseous, overheated, or dizzy - definitely listen to your body and drink water if necessary.

Fit's Tips: Depending on the class you go to, some Ashtanga Yoga instructors are very strict about this, which I personally don't agree with. As an instructor myself, I trust that my students are better able to make decisions about their own bodies. If an instructor you take class from makes you feel uncomfortable about your need for water (or anything else for that matter), talk to them after class about it. I'm sure they'd want to know how you feel.

Source

Class Act: Mysore

FitSugar — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 03:30:00 PDT

If you're checking out classes at an Ashtanga yoga studio, you may come across a class called Mysore.

In a Mysore style yoga class, you lead yourself, following your own breath and a series of memorized poses, either First Series or Second Series. If you are an advanced practitioner, you may even do Third Series.

No one speaks - they only breathe. Sometimes the instructor may whisper to someone to give them help, but for the most part, there is only the ebb and flow of the breath. It's really powerful.

Want to know more about Mysore? Then

read more As you move at your own pace, moving from one pose to the next in First, Second, or Third series, the instructor walks around and adjusts or assists you. She or he may gently fix your shoulders or your hips in Warrior 1, they may press on you in Downward Dog (which feels so good), or they may help you drop back into Wheel pose from standing. The assists you get in a Mysore class really help you to improve your yoga practice tremendously. The class is usually open for 2-3 hours, so people will walk in and start whenever they want. This may seem a little weird, but it's actually nice not to have the pressure of following the instructor's breath count. For me, it's easier to bring my awareness inward when everyone is doing their own thing. The reason it's called Mysore, is because Mysore, India is where Sri K. Pattabhi Jois (the creator of Ashtanga Yoga) originally taught this practice. Traditionally, students would learn a pose and master it before moving on to the next pose in the series. That way, the student would memorize the entire sequence and would be able to practice them on their own. Fit's Tips: If you can find a Mysore class or workshop, I highly recommend taking it. You'll learn a lot about your body and your personality. It will also help you to begin a home yoga practice, so you won't have to rely on going to a studio to do yoga. Since you've memorized an hour and a half of yoga postures, you can lead yourself in your own living room!

First Look at the Doctor Who/Star Trek Comic Book

Kelly Schwarze — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 05:20:50 PST

Last week a rumor floated around the Internet that two science fiction powerhouses, Doctor Who and Star Trek would meet in an epic comic book pairing. Now, there's confirmation that Star Trek: The Next Generation/Doctor Who: Assimilation² will reach store shelves in May 2012.

This is the cover of the first issue in an eight-part series following the Eleventh Doctor, Captain Jean-Luc Picard, and his Enterprise crew as they save the galaxy from an evil alliance. Written by Scott and David Tipton and featuring fully painted artwork by J.K. Woodward, the debut issue pairs familiar villains the Borg and the Cybermen in an attempt to destroy humanity.

If the first issue in this crossover series includes some of the most popular villains, we can't wait to see what other frightening forces will make an appearance in the remaining seven issues. The Weeping Angels? Q?

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban Travel Down Under With Their Girls

Lauren Turner — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 03:33:35 PST

The whole Kidman-Urban family stepped out in Sydney yesterday. Nicole carried 1-year-old Faith while Keith held onto Sunday's hand. The foursome recently traveled Down Under, where Keith will appear on the Australian version of The Voice. He'll mentor a group of singers along with other coaches Seal, Joel Madden, and Delta Goodrem in the series, which will air sometime this year. Keith's been the one singing lately, since he hit the stage at the Grand Ole Opry for his first post-throat surgery show earlier this month and had two concerts in Texas over the weekend. He's not the only star to recently recover from the vocal cord procedure since Adele made her own return performance at last night's Grammys.

It's About Time: 3 Steps Closer to Back to the Future II

Kelly Schwarze — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 12:45:31 PST

We've seen film magic turn into reality before - remember, the tablet was first seen on Star Trek! Now for those who daydreamed of a life as cool as Marty McFly's as a kid, your turn has come. During this week's New York Toy Fair, Mattel announced plans to produce the pink hoverboard from Back to the Future Part II.

OK, there's no actual air hovering that will occur, but it's a 1:1 replica that will glide over most surfaces and make whooshing noises. Mattel will take pre-orders from March 1-20 for the hoverboard, expected to ship in the 2012 holiday season. There's a bit of a catch: Mattel needs you to get your fellow superfans to pre-order the product to bring it to production. As they say, "Because this is such a high-cost item, there will be a minimum number of orders required to go into production. If we don't receive the minimum orders, won't go into production and customers will not be charged. The price will be announced later this month."

It's up to you mini-McFlys to make the hoverboard a reality! The hoverboard, though, is just one of the products that can have you living like Marty; follow the break to see what else can get you Back to the Future.

Jessica Simpson Shows Her Bump During a Weekend Outing With Eric Johnson

Lauren Turner — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 20:02:01 PST

Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson stopped by the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills yesterday. The afternoon wasn't all fun, though, since Jessica was one of the many celebrities that reacted to Whitney Houston's death. She wrote on Twitter, "I found my voice singing Whitney Houston's music. Today I lost my idol." Jessica and Eric have been hanging in LA lately, but they took a trip to Indianapolis for the Super Bowl last weekend. They're prepping for the birth of their first child together, and Jessica also has her new reality series debuting soon in March. Fashion Star begins on the 13th and will feature Jessica's fellow judge Nicole Richie.

Doctor Who Joins the Enterprise Crew This Spring

Kelly Schwarze — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 08:19:36 PST

Two beautiful worlds are set to collide this May when publisher IDW will reportedly release a Doctor Who/Star Trek: The Next Generation crossover comic book series. Eleven and his current companions Amy and Rory will join the familiar cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation led by Captain Picard.

Star Trek has seen its share of comic book collaborations in the past, including one with X-Men; this comic would be the first time the Doctor explores strange new worlds with an already-popular sci-fi show. The comic could be potentially filled with many exciting story lines and evil villains from both programs. Will Daleks return to battle Borgs? We'll find out soon, when hopefully this series is officially announced.

Photo Source: Star Trek Facebook and Doctor Who Facebook

The Five Best Races For Women

espnW — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 04:09:19 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from espnW here on FitSugar!

By Dimity McDowell and Sarah Bowen Shea

Sage Steele, SportsCenter anchor, is preparing to run the Disney Princess Half Marathon at Walt Disney World on Feb. 26 and hoping to fall in love with running in the process. Follow Sage’s journey on espnW.com.

Women's races offer a decidedly different vibe than their coed cousins': more camaraderie, a sole sister atmosphere that welcomes all runners and walkers, and lots more running skirts. Here are five of the top women's races and series in the country. Sign up then train like Sage.

Disney Tinker Bell and Princess half marathons
Sage picked a winner. Let your inner child run free through the Magic Kingdom at these festival race weekends. Tinker Bell is in Disneyland, while Princess is in Disney World, but both allow thousands of runners to mix and mingle with Disney characters on courses that wind through each park. Racers put almost as much effort into costumes - Snow White, Belle, or Minnie, anyone? - as training. Bonus: your kids will be especially psyched to cheer you on.

Sage Steele gets some training advice from Disney runMom Lori Lovell

Nike Women's Marathon
Yeah, it's tough to snag an entry, but if you can, this race is so worth it. (Psst: Go through Team in Training.) This 26.2-mile race, and its half-marathon companion, traverses San Francisco with sweeping vistas of the Golden Gate Bridge and Pacific Ocean to take your mind off the killer hills in the first 10 miles of the race. Tuxedo-clad firefighters bestow each finisher with a Tiffany & Co. pendant.

Run fast by fueling up smart

Three more great races after the break.

Michael C. Hall and Jennifer Carpenter Cozy Up For a Sweet Sunset Beach Trip

Lauren Turner — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:52:44 PST

Michael C. Hall and Jennifer Carpenter grabbed a seat to watch the sunset on the beach in Venice, CA yesterday. The duo looked cozy despite their divorce being finalized in December. This isn't the first time Michael and Jennifer have been spotted together following their separation since they were seen on a coffee date last month. They also sat together at the SAG Awards, where their TV show, Dexter, was up for best drama and Michael was nominated for best actor. Neither Michael nor the Showtime series went home with any statues, but it looked like the couple had a fun night. Both Jennifer and Michael will be back on the small screen soon now that Dexter has been renewed for a seventh and eighth season.

Beyoncé Knowles Wears Sequins For Jay-Z's Second NYC Show

Lauren Turner — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:53:30 PST

Beyoncé Knowles was back out in NYC this evening to catch the second night of Jay-Z's Carnegie Hall charity concert series. She shared pictures on her website of her sparkly Monique Lhuillier dress, Chanel purse, and Lorraine Schwartz jewels, which she accented with blue nail polish. Beyoncé's nail color and huge ring in the same hue seem to be in honor of her baby daughter, Blue Ivy. She gave birth to Blue one month ago and stepped out for the first time just yesterday. Beyoncé wore red to attend Jay-Z's first show, and the couple celebrated the big event with an afterparty at Jay-Z's 40/40 Club.