FitSugar

Darth Vader and Yoga: A Connection Through Breath

FitSugar — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 07:05:52 PST

Yoga is all about connecting your breath with your movements.

It's called ujjayi pranayama (pronounced oo-jai pra-na-ya-ma). Some instructors call it "ocean breath," "victorious breath," or "Darth Vader breath." It is said that Yogis performing this breath alone can create enough heat to melt snow around them. If you walk into an Ashtanga yoga class, you will be overwhelmed with an amazing and powerful sound - it feels like the walls themselves are pulsing.

Basically you are turning your ordinary breath into an audible one. When you can hear your breath, it's easier to follow and concentrate on. You can focus on letting your inhalations and exhalations guide your movements - then it's kind of like a moving meditation.

Want to know how to have that audible breath? Then

Say out loud - "I love Yoga."
Now whisper the same words, "I love Yoga."
Keeping your mouth closed, slowly exhale out through your nose and whisper "I love Yoga," again. Now inhale and whisper the same phrase.
The breath is moving to the back of your throat and nose.
Now slowly inhale and whisper one syllable,"Love." Exhale and whisper out "Love."
When you're ready, practice breathing this way, through your nose, keeping the breath deep in the back of your throat.

This breath creates the rhythm you use to guide your yoga practice. Take long and deep breaths, and you'll feel its relaxing effects instantly.

What to Do For Memorial Day If You're . . .

Tara Sharp — Fri, 27 May 2011 16:48:15 PDT

Take a deep breath; what's that smell? Why, it smells like Summer is around the corner! OK, so here in San Francisco it was raining and cold this week, but let's just pretend that we're heading into bikini season. Monday is Memorial Day, after all, and the three-day weekend ushers in the sunny season with BBQs, beach trips, and friend-filled festivities. If you don't have plans yet, here are some ideas for enjoying your day off whether you're single, paired up, or just looking to spend time with your besties.

In a Relationship: Get out of a date night rut this weekend and go on a mini road trip. Memorial Day is about remembering, so take a trip down memory lane, literally. You could go to somewhere that's significant to the two of you, be it a bed and breakfast, a favorite antique shop, or a hole-in-the-wall diner. Even if you just make it a day trip or stay one night somewhere, it's a great way to recharge your batteries.
Single and Looking: Plan a backyard, park, or rooftop BBQ with your friends and have everyone bring an eligible bachelor they aren't interested in to mix and mingle with. The pressure will be off since there's a big group of people and plenty of beer to loosen up the crowd. And since your friends brought fellas they know, there's less chance the guys are crazy stalkers.
Hanging With the Girls: Swap cosmos for beer and miniskirts for caps for a girls' day at the ballpark. Grab your gals and head to a baseball game, hotdogs and garlic fries required. And it's OK if you're not the sportiest group of ladies; it's really about enjoying the outdoors, catching up with friends, and ogling the players. Make a day of it by tailgating before the game, and maybe you'll even meet some cute b-ball fans to meet up with afterward.
Married and Need a Date Night: If you want to take advantage of the weather but still dress up for a special date night, find a restaurant that has an outdoor patio for enjoying the warm evening. Bonus if the eatery has a romantic ambiance complete with candlelit tables and twinkle lights. Even better if it sits alongside a creek or the ocean! Savor a late-night meal and a bottle of wine under the stars on Sunday night, so you can sleep in and relax on Monday with your honey.
Having Out-of-Town Friends Over: If you're anything like me, you keep meaning to do all the tourist-y things your city has to offer but just never make it happen. Having friends visit from out of town is the best motivation for crossing off your tourist to-dos. Research ahead of time some of the best attractions and little-known factoids about your 'hood. Then spend the weekend acting as a tour guide for your buddies while you check out historical monuments, museums, restaurants featured in movies, and other local hot spots.

What are you doing this holiday weekend?

Photo by Flory Photo via Forget Me Knot Weddings

How to Start Your Day Calm, Cool, and Relaxed

Heather Dale — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 13:00:16 PST

Whenever I get asked if I'm a morning person, I drift off for a moment, imagining my hands wrapped around a mug, sipping hot tea as I sit cross-legged in a cozy chair, watching the sunrise over the ocean. Then reality slaps me in the face, and I hesitate to say I'm a morning person. Forget the fantasy morning, because I've learned over the years to create my own morning ritual that helps me start the day on the right (and positive) foot. Here's my little slice of morning heaven:

Drink Warm Water With Lemon Step aside caffeinated products, this simple yet powerful concoction provides you with a shot of vitamin C and stimulates your digestive tract - improving your body's ability to absorb nutrients. This alkalizing drink will also wake-up your liver and help flush out toxins.
Have Your Own Moment of Silence As soon as you get out of bed, take a moment to just be without doing anything. Don't check your email on your BlackBerry, don't start stressing about your day, just focus on your breathing, meditate, close your eyes and be still. Think happy, peaceful thoughts to calm your mind. Even Oprah makes the time to do this each day.

For more of my favorite morning rituals,

Read Something Meaningful If you are captivated with a new book or enjoy reading poetry by a certain author, this is your time to read one or two pages, maybe even an entire chapter. What this does is slowly wakes up the mind without overwhelming it with information.
Sun Yourself Open a window, or step out on your back door and take a deep breath of crisp morning air. This will help expand your lungs as you fill them up with oxygen. And if the sun is out, close your eyes and feel the warmth of the sun on your face. Be present, be still.

You're ready to start your day. And if you want to jump-start your metabolism, here are some healthy morning tips.