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Eco Ride: 10 Earth Friendly Vehicles to Get You Going

GeekSugar — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 06:00:54 PDT

Like it or not, the eco car is becoming more popular. I couldn't be happier, and to prove it, I've rounded up ten awesome earth friendly rides for you to feast your eyes on, and none of them start with a "P" and end with a "rius." Know why? Cause there are plenty of other options than the Toyota fan favorite! Check out some cool, hip, and sometimes odd, eco cars in this slideshow.

Newest Eco Car Heads to 2008 British Motor Show

GeekSugar — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 06:03:00 PDT

Cruising at 34 mpg may not seem like the best gas mileage you can get these days, but then again, you probably aren't driving a Lotus. The high-end sports car manufacturer is unleashing its newest concept at the 2008 British Motor Show, satisfying the roadster and the eco geek in all of us with the Eco Elise.

Based on the super-swank Elise line, this baby goes from zero to 60 in 5.8 seconds and is totally green, inside and out. Interior materials include hemp, eco-wool, and sisal, and the exterior paint is water-based to not only use less energy (thanks to the paint's low-cure temperature) but cut emissions as well.

To learn more about this eco-chic car and to check out more pics, just

read more. Although it's not stocked with an electric motor like the hot as fire Tesla (you know, the kind George has on reserve), I'll give Lotus some credit. At least they realize they don't have to sacrifice style to protect our environment. What else could you ask for in a sweet ride like this? Well, there's GPS, an iPod dock, mood lighting, onStar, Bluetooth compatibility. . . you get the idea.

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Strike a Yoga Pose: Lifted Lotus

FitSugar — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 07:30:00 PST

I have been showing you all the poses of the Closing Sequence of Ashtanga Yoga, and here is the second to last pose. This is the last of the seated postures and it really works your abs. It's called Lifted Lotus for obvious reasons; your legs are in lotus and you're lifting your entire lower body off the ground. It takes a lot of abdominal strength to do this pose, but after you practice it for a while, you'll be able to hold your body up longer each time.

Sanskrit Name: Tolasana
English Translation: Scale Pose
Also Called: Lifted Lotus

Want to know how to do this pose? Then

If you are following the Closing Sequence, after doing Lotus, just place your palms flat on the ground next to your hips. If your hips and knees won't let you do lotus, just cross your legs at your ankles and draw your knees together towards your chest.
As you inhale, engage your abs and lift your body off the ground, hovering in that position. Don't worry if you can't get your entire lower body off the ground. At first try lifting only your bum up and keep your feet on the ground. This still strengthens your abs, so eventually you'll be able to get your feet off the ground too.
Hold this pose for as long as you can, taking deep even breaths, eventually working your way up to 100 breaths (crazy, I know). One to five breaths is a great place to start, and as you continue practicing this pose, gradually increase to more breaths as you become stronger.

Fit's Tip: This pose is much harder to do if your legs aren't in lotus, so practice these hip stretches, and eventually your hips will open up and let you fold your legs into lotus.

Strike a Yoga Pose: Lotus

FitSugar — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 04:00:00 PST

Lotus is the next pose in the closing sequence of Ashtanga Yoga after Bound Lotus. This is the pose I'm sure everyone thinks of when they think of yoga. It's a calming pose that many people choose to meditate in, and many yoga classes often begin or end in this pose.

Sanskrit Name: Padmasana
English Translation: Lotus
Also Called: Pretzel

If you are following the closing sequence, and doing Lotus pose after doing Bound Lotus pose, all you do is release your hands from behind your back and place the backs of your hands on your knees. Touch your thumb and index finger together, and extend your other three fingers down towards the floor. Tuck your chin in slightly towards your chest and gaze softly at your nose.
If your legs don't do lotus pose, then you can come into half lotus, where your right heel is pulled up to your left hip, and your left foot is on the ground under your right thigh. If half lotus doesn't work for you either, just sit cross-legged with your ankles under opposite calves.
Use your abdominal muscles to keep the spine strong and tall. Relax your shoulders away from your ears, and concentrate on ujjayi breathing where the belly is still and you breathe into the rib cage. Stay here for 10 deep breaths.

Fit's Tips: As I said with Bound Lotus, if you're working on getting your legs to do lotus, practice hip opening poses such as Butterfly, Pigeon and Double Pigeon.

Strike a Yoga Pose: Bound Lotus

FitSugar — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 04:00:00 PST

We're up to the last three poses in the closing sequence of Ashtanga Yoga. They're all poses that involve having your legs in full lotus. This pose not only stretches your hips, but it also opens your chest and stretches your shoulders and lower back.

Sanskrit Name: Baddha Padmasana
English Translation: Bound Lotus Pose

How do you get into it? To find out

If lotus doesn't work for you because it hurts your knees or hips, just sit cross-legged.
If you want to try doing lotus, bend your right knee and place your right foot up by your left hip bone. Then carefully bend your left knee and pull your left foot over your right shin and place it by your right hip bone. If your knees or hips are hurting whatsoever, come out of lotus and just sit cross-legged.
Once you've got your legs into position, it's time to do your arms. Traditionally, you cross them behind your back, lean forward slightly and your right hand holds your right big toe, and your left hand holds your left big toe. If you feel like your toes are too far away, you can take your legs out of lotus and then fold them back in, readjusting your feet so they're as close to the sides of your waist as possible. If you can't hold both toes together at the same time, just hold one. If you can't reach either toe, just keep your arms crossed behind you, fold forward over your knees and pretend you're holding your toes.
Stay here for five deep breaths, eventually working on bringing your forehead towards the ground. On your next inhale, sit up.

Fit's Tips:

Pigeon

Double Pigeon

Strike a Yoga Pose: Balancing Lotus

FitSugar — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PDT

If you're loving stretching out your upper back and neck doing Shoulderstand and Ear Pressure pose, you're going to love doing Balancing Lotus. This pose also works your back and core muscles, and it's fun to practice staying up.

Sanskrit Name: Urdhva Padmasana
English Translation: Upward Lotus Pose
Also Called: Balancing Lotus

Want to know the secret for staying balanced without falling? Then

From Ear Pressure Pose, lift your knees back up and work on folding your legs into lotus. If you can do it without using your hands, that's awesome. If not, use your left hand to pull your right foot into your left hip. Then use your right hand to pull your left foot over your right shin and into your right hip.
If lotus isn't happening for you (it requires open hips), don't force it since you can really damage your knees. You can either cross your legs at the shins (just as you would if you were sitting), or bend your knees out wide and bring the soles of your feet together (like Butterfly).
How do you stay balanced? Keep your hips over your shoulders and let the weight of your knees fall into your palms and lock your arms straight. Use your back and core muscles to keep your spine long and strong. It takes some practice, but you'll soon get the hang of it.
Stay here for five or more breaths. Then undo your lotus legs, keep your knees close to your chest and slowly roll down one vertebrae at a time until your spine is all the way on the ground. Pull your knees into the chest and wrap both arms in front of your shins. Give yourself a big hug, releasing the lower back.

That's it. Have fun working on this pose. Be sure to take your time coming out of it, since it's a pretty intense neck stretch.

Favorite Half Bound Lotus Pose

FitSugar — Sun, 01 Apr 2007 02:45:00 PDT

For many of you readers, like kevindineen, spring weather is all about finally getting a chance to shed your winter gear and move freely in the sunshine.

He sent in these pictures of himself doing the yoga challenge - Standing Half Bound Lotus - after going for a run. Look at that amazing blue sky! It looks like summer there. That weather would've inspired me to move too.

I agree with you, kevindineen - this pose does feel great after a run. It really stretches out your hips and hamstrings. When you fold forward, it also stretches out your lower back.

Are you pumped for the latest yoga challenge? It's called Balancing Wide Squat. It's actually perfect for Spring because it really stretches out those poor feet that have been cramped up in clunky boots all winter.

If you are a runner or high heel wearer, you'll also love how this pose stretches out the tiny muscles in your feet that are so tight and tense.

Don't forget to snap a picture of yourself and post it in the YOGA CHALLENGE Group. Not sure how to do it? No problem. Just check out this easy explanation. Let me know what you think.

Yoga Class: Studio vs. Gym

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 03:03:11 PST

With all the New Year's resolutions floating around, if "trying yoga" is on your list, you're probably wondering where the best place to practice is. With yoga's increased popularity, just about every gym offers yoga classes on their schedule in between Body Pump and Spinning, but there are also studios on every corner that teach yoga exclusively. Keep reading to find out which place you'd prefer getting your Down Dog on.

Price

Studio: Purchase single classes at a drop-in rate that's about $12 to $25 per class (depending on the length of the class), or you can buy a group of classes at a slightly cheaper rate. Some studios also offer monthly or yearly memberships, so classes are even cheaper, but this only pays off if you go a lot.
Gym: Many gym memberships include classes in the monthly or yearly fee, so yoga classes at gyms might be significantly less expensive than at a studio.

Continue reading to learn how studio's and gym's compare when it comes to atmosphere, convenience, and teacher qualifications.

5 Simple Ways to Look Even Better in 2012

Annie Tomlin — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 03:05:47 PST

Making New Year's resolutions is one thing, but making changes that take little effort but have a huge beauty payoff? Now that's something to celebrate. Whether you're looking to banish bikini-line bumps for good, to have stronger nails, or to get that glowing complexion, these straight-from-the-experts tips will give you guidance. Read more to get started.

Radiohead Celebrates Early Album Release With a New Song and Video!

Becky Kirsch — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 08:01:22 PST

Radiohead announced earlier this week that their new album is finished and will be available for download tomorrow, but they gave fans a fun surprise by offering it a day early (that's today!). If that doesn't get you going, they also released the first single, complete with video, for your listening and viewing pleasure. Get a taste of their new album, The King of Limbs, by watching the video for "Lotus Flower," which takes us up close and personal with front man Thom Yorke and his dance moves. Check it out below, then tell me if you'll be downloading the album today (I know I will).