FitSugar

Aerial Yoga: Om My!

FitSugar — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 12:30:00 PST

Bored with your yoga classes recently?

Then maybe you should try Aerial Yoga. It is a new type of Yoga that combines Yoga Asanas with movements done on a trapeze like apparatus. The physicality of training on any aerial apparatus complements the physicality of the Yoga Asanas - shoulders are stabilized while being stretched, core abdominal muscles can be strengthened and spinal flexibility becomes comfortable to explore.

Why? Michelle Dortignac, the person behind aerial yoga, believes that your body will have no choice but to learn proper alignment thanks to the effects of gravity since (like it or not) gravity always works, and it always works in one direction. The best part? No previous aerial or Yoga experience is necessary.

Right now you can only take Michelle's Aerial Yoga in Brooklyn, NY but it is only $15 per class, which in my opinion is not bad at all. For more information visit the Aerial Yoga site or call (917) 312-4339 to set up a class reservation.

Don't live in NYC, well Triangle Yoga in North Carolina has its own version of Aerial Yoga.

Minka Kelly Shares Her Heart-Healthy Fitness and Diet Tips

Fitness Magazine — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 04:02:38 PST

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

Esquire magazine once named actress Minka Kelly the “sexiest woman alive," so walking in the Heart Truth’s Red Dress Fashion Show to raise awareness for women’s heart health should be a breeze, right? Not quite. “I’ve been nervous all week!” Kelly said when we got the chance to chat with her on her new ambassador title with Diet Coke. We caught up with the brunette bombshell hours before showtime to get the scoop on how she lives a heart-healthy lifestyle, the exercises she swears by, and more.

Tell us about your partnership with Diet Coke and Heart’s Truth Red Dress Fashion Show. What made you decide to get involved?

Before I started working with Diet Coke as an ambassador, I wasn’t even aware that heart disease is the number-one killer for women. I figured this would be a chance for me to use my voice and let other women know how important it is to eat right and exercise to keep your heart in good health.

How do you manage to stay in shape, especially with such a busy schedule?

I try to do yoga every morning at 7 a.m.; it’s good to get your workout out of the way early. I also work out with my trainer Gunnar Peterson two days a week on top of that. I owe him a lot of credit for the shape I’m in because I love to eat! I have to work out extra hard to balance my love for food out.

Keep reading to learn how Minka Kelly is trying defying gravity.

A Reader Answers: Can Exercise Help With Migraines?

Fit Community — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 01:52:16 PST

FitSugar reader JessicaSmithTV wanted to know: can exercise help with migraines? She asked an expert and posted the answer in our Fit Community.

Today's post comes to us from special guest contributor and medical expert Paul Rizzoli, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School:

When you’re prone to migraines you’re forced to think through whether or not something you do will invite a headache into your life. Exercise is definitely one of those things. Should you skip a workout because you feel a migraine coming on? Or is it better to push through in the hopes a little sweat will make you feel better?

Most headache specialists recommend exercise and an increase in overall physical activity to their patients. However, to date, there’s skimpy evidence to support the idea that working out actually guards against migraine attacks. A few studies have shown that taking regular exercise can reduce the severity, though not the number of headaches.

Keep reading to see what studies say about exercise and migraine relief after the break!

The Office, "Jury Duty": Best Lines of The Night

Lizzie Fuhr — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:59:04 PST

After a solid cold opening of Andy dancing to "Footloose" in the warehouse (think dancing on bubble wrap and punching packing peanuts), the rest of this week's episode of The Office is a success. We find out early on that Jim was called to jury duty for a half day that he turned into five days. Dwight catches on to Jim's plan early on and does everything in his power to bring him down. On top of all the cute kids that show up for "Jury Duty," Jim and Dwight go at it. Oscar has some awesome moments. And I love this new friendship between Kevin and Erin that's blossoming before our eyes.

This is one of my favorite episodes I can remember in a long time. Not too plot driven and chock-full of solid comedic writing plus a handful endearing moments that just made me feel good. To get a few of my favorite lines, just keep reading.

Questions to Ask Yourself Before Buying a Yoga Mat

Jenny Sugar — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 02:36:43 PST

Buying a yoga mat is like buying a new pair of running sneakers. It takes careful consideration and research to find the right fit. Since there are hundreds to ~~confuse you~~ choose from, narrow down your search by asking these important questions.

How Much Do I Want to Spend?
Your budget is a huge factor in the mat you end up with. Do you have the dough to lay down for the priciest one on the market or are you happy buying a cheaper mat? The upside of buying a more expensive mat, like the Manduka PRO Black Magic ($104), is durability, which will actually save you money over time.

How Thick Do I Want It?
If you're new to the mat-buying scene, you might not realize that mats come in different thicknesses. A quarter-inch is the standard mat thickness, probably like the one you've borrowed from your studio. Think about how your body feels on this mat in certain poses where your bones are pressing into the floor. If you've felt discomfort, splurge on a thicker mat, but make sure it's also dense. A thick squishy mat makes balancing postures more difficult.

Keep reading for more things to consider when purchasing a new yoga mat.

How Stacy Keibler Gets Red-Carpet Ready

Fitness Magazine — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 04:37:17 PST

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

Awards season is in full swing, and we can't help but wonder how these celebs manage to look so good. And what's a girl without access to expensive Hollywood trainers and stylists to do? We caught up with actress, model, and former wrestler Stacy Keibler (who looked stunning on the arm of boyfriend George Clooney at the SAG Awards!) to learn about the new game she uses at home to keep her svelte figure looking fabulous for the red carpet.

First of all, you look great! How often do you work out each week?

I always try to fit in some type of activity every day, but just like everyone else's schedules, some days are busier than others. I'm a big believer in being active no matter what, so even if I only have a few minutes to squeeze some moves in, it's better than nothing.

What are your go-to moves for those busy days?

I love lunges, especially because you don't need any equipment to do them. So no matter where you are, you have those to fall back on.

Keep reading more about Stacy's relationship to home workouts and George.

Enter to Win a $500 Under Armour Gift Card

FitSugar — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:43:34 PST

It's the New Year and time to get back on track, jump-start your January, and get fit for 2012. We've dedicated the month of January to helping you set your path for the rest of the year. Each week we've broken down different fitness fundamentals, and we're ending the month by focusing on all-around healthy living. And we're giving away amazing prizes to help you meet your goals for the year.

This week we're giving away apparel from Under Armour - perfect for every workout, from yoga and Pilates to kickboxing and boot camps. Enter below and you could be one of two lucky winners to receive a $500 gift card to Under Armour!

This giveaway has ended.

Check us out on Facebook where we will be keeping our own fitness diary and providing tips, advice, recipes, and workouts for all of our fans. If you're craving more fitness gear and goodies, enter our Asics giveaway for a year's supply of Asics running shoes and our KIND Healthy Snacks and Magimix giveaway for a year's supply KIND Healthy Snacks and a Magimix Food Processor. Good luck!

4 Lazy Moves That Boost Your Health

Prevention — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 04:05:16 PST

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

You don’t have to go on a deprivation diet or spend hours exercising to ward off disease and be your healthiest self! Instead, try these supersimple tips
By the editors of Prevention

Staying healthy can feel like so much, well, work (think: logging hours at the gym and whipping up nutritious meals from scratch). However, there are plenty of small moves that you can make in your everyday life that will have big health benefits. We’ve rounded up 15 practically zero-effort ways to fight disease, whittle your waist, lower stress, and more. Bonus: many of these good-for-you moves feel good, too. So say sayonara to the old adage “no pain, no gain” and try these tips today.

Lazy Move No. 1: Protect Your Ticker by Snoozing
Need a good excuse to grab your comfiest set of pajamas and hit the sack? Skimping on shut-eye may do more than make you cranky or unproductive - it also boosts your risk of a heart attack. According to one Norwegian study, people who reported that they did not wake up feeling refreshed in the morning had a 27 percent higher risk of a heart attack, those who had trouble staying asleep almost every night in the last month had a 30 percent higher risk, and those who had trouble falling asleep almost every night in the last month had odds that jumped to 45 percent.

Twenty Ways to Sleep Better Every Night

Some researchers speculate that insomnia might trigger your body to release more of the stress hormone cortisol. High levels of cortisol have been linked with high blood pressure and diabetes, which are both risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Plus when you’re exhausted, you may be more likely to make unhealthy choices that up your heart disease risk, such as skipping your workout or reaching for fatty or sugary snacks for a quick energy fix.

Keep reading for three more lazy ways to improve your health.

A Few Reasons It's Better to Sweat It Out Solo

Jenny Sugar — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 11:01:22 PST

Exercising with a buddy definitely has its perks, but when it comes to most of my workouts, I prefer to exercise alone. Here are some reasons it's sometimes better to sweat it out solo.

You can work out whenever you want and when it best fits your schedule. Plus you never have to deal with someone being late.
You can skip the chitchat and focus on your breath and inner thoughts. It's a great time to make mental to-do lists, brainstorm for work, or daydream about weekend plans. Going solo means it's really "me" time.
The type and intensity of the workout is up to you, whether you feel like going for a run in your neighborhood, hitting a Zumba class, or following a gentle yoga video.
You can stuff your ears with headphones and rock out to that new cardio mix you made.
It's OK to wear the same outfit you wore yesterday, even if you didn't wash it. There's no one to make a comment or complain about a little stink.

Keep reading for more reasons it's better to exercise alone.

Brilliant or Baffling: San Francisco Airport Opens Yoga Room

Emily Co — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:15:26 PST

If you ever happen to stop by the San Francisco Airport, you might want to check out its new yoga room, which officially opened yesterday. The room, available from 4:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m., is located in SFO's newly renovated Terminal 2, and only passengers will get to try it out - it's stationed past the security checkpoint. If yoga is not your thing and you still want to meditate, check out the Berman reflection room, which is a "center for quiet self-reflection and meditation."

What do you think of this new perk?