You Asked: One Leg Is Less Flexible, Is This Normal?


Updated 04/26/10 7:48 PM · Posted by FitSugar · 3 comments

Muscle Imbalances Can Lead to Overuse Injuries

Dear Fit, I warm up and then stretch before the full workout. The problem is, one leg, my right, is always stiffer and won't stretch or move as far as the other one. This lack of mobility has appeared over a couple of years, and is now annoying. The thing is, I have never had an injury, so I am hard pressed to understand what is wrong with it and how to fix it, any ideas? Thanks. —One Stiff Read more

Which Part of Your Body Is Least Flexible?


Updated 09/02/09 9:00 AM · Posted by FitSugar · 24 comments

Which Part of Your Body Is Least Flexible?

Since I teach yoga, people are always asking me which poses they can do to stretch the least-flexible parts of their bodies. Swimmers complain of tight shoulders, runners continuously have tight hamstrings, and people who sit all day experience have tight hips. Stretching your muscles every day, throughout the day, can definitely increase your range of flexibility. So which part of your body Read more

Better Sex Through Yoga DVDs


Updated 12/04/07 2:58 PM · Posted by · 8 comments

Better Sex Through Yoga DVDs

My good friend FitSugar just told me about these exercise videos that are made to improve your sex life. I was worried when she told me they were called Better Sex Through Yoga, but she assured me that they weren't as cheesy as they sounded. It's a 3-part DVD series, with each video being under 40 minutes long. The sequence of yoga poses gets you to stretch and move your entire body, but focuses Read more

Dos and Don'ts of Stretching


Updated 09/21/07 9:41 PM · Posted by FitSugar · 9 comments

Dos and Don'ts of Stretching

Have you been stretching? Stretching is one part of exercising that a lot of us let slip out of our routine. The thing is that stretching is actually really, really good for injury prevention as well as calming you (and your muscles) down after a good workout. For a great list of stretching protocols, visit RealBuzz.com. In the meantime here are some highlights on what you should and shouldn't be Read more

Yoga and Running: Opposites Attract


Updated 04/15/11 9:07 PM · Posted by FitSugar · 11 comments

Yoga and Running:  Opposites Attract

Yoga is great for stretching and toning your muscles, and increasing flexibility, but as far as a great cardio workout for your heart, it doesn't quite cut it. That's why running is the perfect complement to yoga. It's practically the opposite of yoga on the exercise scale. Nothing gets the blood flowing and your heart pumping like a good run. On an average mile run, your foot will hit the Read more

Strike a Yoga Pose: Cobra


Updated 11/03/11 7:22 PM · Posted by FitSugar · 3 comments

Strike a Yoga Pose:  Cobra

Some yoga poses require a ton of strength such as Crow, and other poses involve balance such as Standing Hand to Big Toe. Then there are those poses that are all about relaxing and gently stretching your muscles. Cobra is one of those poses that's all about feeling good and breathing. As you increase flexibility in your spine, you are also opening your shoulders and chest (heart), which makes Read more

Not Everyone is Naturally Flexible


Updated 09/09/07 10:31 PM · Posted by FitSugar · 15 comments

Not Everyone is Naturally Flexible

When I took my first yoga class 7 years ago, my ego took a huge slap in the face. I went to fold forward, and I couldn't touch my toes - everyone could do it (really, even the old guys). Of course comparing yourself to others isn't the point when it comes to yoga (and can cause injury when you try to copy others), but I hadn't leaned that yet so I pushed myself really hard. The teacher came Read more

Strike a Yoga Pose: Camel to Child's Pose


Updated 05/29/08 5:13 PM · Posted by FitSugar · 4 comments

Strike a Yoga Pose: Camel to Child's Pose

Doing stretches for your back not only feels good physically, but they are also energetically stimulating. Backbends open the muscles near your heart. This is the location of your 4th chakra which is associated with love and compassion. It allows us to feel peace and a sense of being centered. Backbends also open your hips, where your 2nd chakra is located, which is associated with sex and Read more

Do you find it easier to stretch when the weather is hot and humid?


Updated 07/12/07 2:22 PM · Posted by FitSugar · 8 comments

Do you find it easier to stretch when the weather is hot and humid?

Stretching is one of my favorite activities and warm weather really inspires me to work on my flexibility. The heat seems to make me more pliable and the stretching even more enjoyable. Does the warm weather have that affect on you too? Source Do you find it easier to stretch when the weather is hot and humid? Yes - the hotter it is outside the better the stretching. No - I Read more

5 Things Every Workout Should Include


Updated 05/29/07 10:42 AM · Posted by FitSugar · 2 comments

5 Things Every Workout Should Include

Here are five simple things to include in your workout if you want it to be safe and effective: Warm-up: Among other things a warm-up leads to efficient calorie burning, injury prevention and prepares the body for the workout. Cardio: A cardio workout is great for the cardiovascular system and plays a very important role in weight management. Cool-down: Among other things a cool-down prevents Read more