Healthy happy you.
Inversions, in yoga, are the poses where you put your feet above your head. Meant to give your mind a new perspective, they allow blood to flow to your head to improve circulation, which can cure headaches and help relieve depression. Going upside down also increases strength in your upper arms, back, and abdomen. These poses require skill and patience, so be sure to practice these regularly. Read more
Since I run a lot, my hip flexors and lower back get really tight, so I love stretches that focus on opening these areas, such as Scorpion. This is actually a yoga pose that's a balancing backbend. It feels amazing on the front of your body and your spine, but it's a really difficult pose to get into, let alone hold long enough to get a good stretch. You can do it using a ball, but here's another Read more
Getting into Scorpion pose from Forearm Stand requires incredible upper body strength, a flexible back and good balance. If you use an exercise ball, it makes this pose so much easier to get into. Music: "Deva Loka" by Drala If you want a more detailed description read more Read more
Not all women feel the same during menstruation. Some feel like sitting on the couch cuddled up with a heating pad and a pint of Ben & Jerry's, and others have tons of energy to go for a run. I'm a firm believer in listening to your body, but I also know that a little exercise can help alleviate cramps (and your rotten mood). Doing yoga is great when you have your period because the Read more
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 Read more
I love inversions. I love the challenge of trying to stay balanced. I love how strong my upper body feels while I'm in it, and I love how energized I feel getting fresh blood circulating to my brain. Headstands, forearm stands, and handstands are all kinds of balancing inversions. Headstands are the easiest inversion since your head and your forearms are planted on the ground. Handstands are Read more
Do you remember this pose? It was one of the yoga challenges called Crow pose. It's part of Second Series in Ashtanga yoga, known as Nadi Shodina, which means nerve purification. It involves a lot of hip openers, backbends, and arm balancing poses. Just as in Primary Series, you'll do Sun Salutations A and B, standing poses like Triangle, and then move onto the poses in Second Series. It Read more
We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Self here on FitSugar! If you're saddled with saddlebags, you probably think you got the short end of the family gene pool stick. But, lucky for you, those pesky fat deposits surrounding your hips, thighs, and butt are far easier to banish than, say, Great Aunt Hilda or your bossy big sister. "Saddlebags are largely determined by genetics, Read more
We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Self here on FitSugar! Some women may take it easy during their last trimester, but Hilary Duff isn't the type to let her workouts slide just because she's eating for two. The singer-actress may be seven months pregnant, but according to her trainer of eight years, Vivica Jensen, she's still staying fit with biweekly Piloxing sessions. Read more
We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Shape here on FitSugar. Rihanna is one hot singing sensation. Having recently been named the best-selling digital artist of all time — thanks to a whopping 47.5 million downloads of her hits — the sexy songstress is also a top contender for album of the year at this year’s Grammy Awards. But not only does the Barbadian beauty know how to Read more
