FitSugar

Strike a Yoga Pose: Lifted Lotus

FitSugar — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 07:30:00 -0800

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 read more

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 -0800

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 -0800

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 read more

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: Some people are born with really open hips so lotus is easy for them from the start. If you're not one of these people, you can work on opening your hips by practicing Pigeon and Double Pigeon.

Strike a Yoga Pose: Balancing Lotus

FitSugar — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 04:00:00 -0700

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 read more

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 -0700

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.

Strike a Yoga Pose: Seated Half Bound Lotus

FitSugar — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 10:00:41 -0700

Most of us suffer from stiff hamstrings and hips, so here's a pose that will increase flexibility in both. It's one of the seated postures in Ashtanga Yoga's Primary Series, and although it looks pretty basic, being in half lotus can be very challenging for those with tight hips.

Sanskrit Name: Ardha Baddha Padma Paschimottanasana
English Translation: Half Bound Lotus Western Intense Stretch Pose
Also Called: Seated Half Bound Lotus

To learn how to do this forward bend variation read more.

Begin sitting on the mat with both legs straight out in front of you. Bend your right knee and pull your right heel into half lotus, so it's in front of your left hip. Sit up tall and reach your right arm around your lower back and clasp your big toe with the first two fingers and thumb.

Now fold at your waist, rest your torso on your left thigh, and hold your left foot with your left hand. Lower your nose or forehead to your shin. As you breathe, continue to reach the crown of your head toward your left foot. This will help to lengthen the spine.
Be sure to relax your shoulders as you take five deep breaths. Then lift your torso up, release your right leg, take a vinyasa and do this pose with the left leg in half lotus.

Strike a Yoga Pose: Standing Half Bound Lotus

FitSugar — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 05:30:00 -0700

Whenever I say I do yoga, people always ask me if I sit in Lotus and "ommmmm" for three hours straight. Not quite, but Lotus is a pose I often do at the beginning and end of class. It's a pretty advanced pose actually, because it requires incredible flexibility in your hips. If your hips could use a little opening, give Standing Half Bound Lotus a try.

Sanskrit name: Ardha Baddha Padmottanasana
English translation: Half Bound Lotus Standing Forward Bend
Also called: Standing Half Bound Lotus

To see how to get into this pose read more

Begin in Mountain pose.
Shift weight into your left foot, grounding firmly, and then bend your right knee up towards your chest. Reach for your right foot with both hands, and gently pull your right heel up in front of your left hip. If this feels OK, let your right knee lower down.
Hold your right foot with your left hand and then reach your right arm around your lower back.
Either hold onto the front of your elbow and stay here, or work on reaching for your toes with your right hand.
Stay standing or fold forward, placing your left palm flat on the ground. If your left hand isn't holding onto your right foot, you can still fold forward, but place both palms on the ground. This is going to be an intense stretch in your hip. If you feel any pain in your knee, stand back up.
If you're folded, tuck your chin in towards your chest and work on drawing your forehead towards your shin.
Hold for five deep breaths and then rise back to standing. Release your right leg and then do this pose on the left side.

Strike a Yoga Pose: Sage Half Bound Lotus

FitSugar — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 08:00:00 -0700

Balancing poses are really fun to try and they also perfect your posture and muscle control. After trying Beginner's Sage and Sage Tree, I think you're ready for a more challenging variation: Sage Half Bound Lotus. If the name makes it sound challenging, that's because it is. The challenge is part of the fun.

Sanskrit Name: Vasistha Ardha Bada Padmasana
English Translation: Sage Half Bound Lotus Pose

To learn how to do this pose read more.

Begin in Downward Facing Dog pose. Step both feet together so your big toes are touching.
Now move your right hand over to the left so it's at the upper center of your mat.
Step your right foot forward two inches, and plant the sole of your right foot firmly on the mat so your toes are pointing to the left.
Then roll over to your right side and lift your left hand off the mat, coming into a side plank. Lift your left leg up bending your left knee and use your left hand to pull your heel in front of your right hip so it's in Half Lotus. Reach your left arm around your lower back and hold onto your left big toe. Gaze toward the ceiling. Engage your right fingertips so you can take some pressure out of your wrists. Stay here for five deep breaths, trying to keep your core strong and the pose steady.
Release your left hand back to the mat and move your right hand back where it was near the top right corner of your mat. Separate your feet so you are in a top of a push-up position (what I call Plank). Now take a vinyasa and come back to Downward Facing Dog. Then do this pose on the other side.

A Little Yoga Insight You May Not Learn From Your Instructor

FitSugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:00:10 -0800

Sure, practicing yoga is all about health and wellness, but Smart Money knows that it is also booming business. There are some aspects of yoga class that may not be in keeping with the healthy lifestyle you seek - just don't expect your yoga instructor to let you in on them. Here are a few pointers for staying healthy while practicing yoga, and remember that even when taking a fitness class led by an instructor, it's best to think for yourself to figure out what feels right and what practices work best for you.

Your Instructor May Be New to Yoga Too - With all of the various certification programs around, there's a range of skill that's being taught to instructors. "The problem is that there’s no real standard for how much teacher training is required of instructors, so almost anyone can lead a yoga class," writes Smart Money. It's best to try out a class before you commit, and learn where the instructor trained.
Yoga Mats Aren't Just For the Die-Hard Yogi - Bringing your own mat to class doesn't mean you can do full lotus. It's simply good hygiene. Yoga studio owner Ann Merlo told Smart Money, "One of the key elements of yoga is cleanliness." Sure, many studios hose down the mats after a few sessions, but there's no guarantee they do. With all the contagions flying around this flu season, it just might be worth it to spring for your own mat and avoid catching a bug.

To learn more about how to make the most of your yoga time, read more.

It's OK If You Don't Want to Be Touched - Yoga tends to cultivate a very intimate atmosphere in the studio, and many members of the class may feel totally at ease with the instructor helping them into a pose (which is fairly common), but that doesn't mean that you do. "A thoughtful teacher should always tell you that he’s going to touch you," writes Smart Money, and all adjustments should be done with professionalism. However, if you'd prefer not to be touched at all, don't be shy about speaking up and making your preference clear.
The Advanced Class May Not Be For You - While yoga instructors may ask some general questions about your level of experience before a class begins, no one is likely to turn you away from a session that may be too advanced for you. Yoga requires serious strength and flexibility. The article suggests calling the studio beforehand to find a class appropriate for your ability.

To find out exactly what else your yoga instructor may not be telling you, get up to speed with all of SmartMoney's tips, and be sure to check out our Yoga Stretch and Tell Group to connect with fellow yogis and share your questions, stories, and advice.

Forbidden Rice

FitSugar — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 11:00:00 -0800

I just came across Forbidden Rice from Lotus Foods. Legend tells us that this ancient grain was once eaten exclusively by the Emperors.

Today, this medium-size Chinese black rice can be enjoyed by all and is prized for its delicious nutty taste, soft and chewy texture, and beautiful rich deep purple color.

High in nutritional and medicinal value, Forbidden Rice is rich in iron and considered a blood tonifier. Unlike other black rice from Asia, it is not glutinous or rough, and cooks in only 30 minutes.

It tastes a lot like short grain brown rice, but its deep purplish black color makes it much more exciting. And it's not at all expensive - a 15oz bag costs about $4.

What else is great? It's 100% whole grain, so you know it's good for you.