FitSugar

Strike a Yoga Pose: Scissor Legs Side Crow to One-Legged Arm Balance

FitSugar — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 08:00:00 PST

I've shown you all some pretty advanced arm balancing poses found in yoga; one being Scissor Legs Side Crow, a balancing spinal twisting pose where your legs are scissored out to the side. In another arm balance, One-Legged Arm Balance, you balance on your hands while your legs are in a split position. After experimenting with both poses, it's really fun to work on switching from one to the other without letting your feet touch the floor. It's a challenge but well worth the work.

To see how to do it, watch this video after you

read more. Music: "Infusion" by Adham Shaikh

Begin by getting into Straight Legs Side Crow, with your outer left thigh resting on your right elbow. Then bring your right leg behind you, scissoring your legs, coming into Scissor Legs Side Crow. Hold for a second or two.
Then bring your right leg forward and slide it in front of your left leg so your inner right thigh is now resting on your right elbow. Slide your left leg off your right elbow and bring it behind you. Your legs are now in a split, and you're in One-Legged Arm Balance pose. Hold for a second or two.
When you're ready, step your right leg back, coming into Four-Limbed Staff pose. Inhale to Upward Facing Dog, and exhale to Downward Facing Dog. Now try this sequence on the other side.

Strike a Yoga Pose: One-Legged Arm Balance

FitSugar — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 04:00:00 PST

This pose called One-Legged Arm Balance stretches your front hamstring and strengthens your upper body like you wouldn't believe. I know it looks really hard, but if you practice the prep for this pose, you'll get used to placing your elbows into your belly so you can balance on your hands.

Sanskrit Name: Eka Pada Koundinyasana
English Translation: One-Legged Pose Dedicated to the Sage Koundinya
Also Called: One-Legged Arm Balance

Once you can do the prep, then you can work on the steps to get into One-Legged Arm Balance. With a little practice and determination, you'll be balancing in no time. To see the steps

From Warrior 1 with your right foot forward, lower your hands down to the ground and pick your back heel up. Bring your right shoulder as far underneath your right knee as possible, and plant your right hand next to the outside edge of your right foot.
Now rest the weight of your right hamstring on your right tricep and see if you can pick your right foot off the ground. Work on straightening the leg as much as you can (I know it's hard).
From here, lower your torso so that your left elbow presses into your belly between your ribs and your hip. This is the most important step.
Once your left elbow is into your belly and your right tricep is holding your right leg, press into your hands, lean your weight forward, and lift your left foot off the ground so you're balancing on both hands equally. Stay here for five or more breaths (or as long as you can) and then lower your feet down to the ground. Step your right foot back and take a vinyasa (Chaturunga, Up Dog, Down Dog). Then step your left foot forward, rise into Warrior 1 and try these steps on the left side.

Hilary Duff's High-Energy Prenatal Piloxing Workout

Self — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 04:39:32 PST

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. "Piloxing is the first fitness program that blends the best of Pilates, boxing, and dance into a high-energy, hour-long interval workout," says Jensen, who created the hybrid class. "I put a lot of focus into balance and alignment, which can be thrown off when you're pregnant. You also get a great cardio workout, and the boxing element tones your arms and legs."

Although Jensen has tweaked Duff's workouts to accommodate her pregnancy, she's quick to point out that the mom-to-be is no slouch in the gym. "Since Hilary was already in good shape, she's able to do everything but at her own pace with a few modifications like taking more breaks to drink water and catch her breath when her heart rate goes up and not doing advanced ab exercises," says Jensen.

As her due date draws near, the former Lizzie McGuire star is also preparing her body for the hardships of labor. That means plenty of arm, leg, chest, and core exercises. "For now, I'm focusing on her core muscles because I want those muscles intact so she has an easier delivery," says Jensen. Just don't expect Mrs. Comrie to stay bedridden for very long since "Hilary loves being healthy and has always been very active. Once she gets the OK from her doctor, we're really going to kick it up a notch," says Jensen. "She's tough with amazing form, so I'm able to work her hard and really kick her butt!"

Want to stay fit throughout all nine months of your pregnancy (or even if you're not eating for two!)? Incorporate four moves into your regular workout routine to get buff like Duff. Read on for the moves.

The Fastest Way to Lose Belly Fat

Shape — Thu, 19 May 2011 04:30:50 PDT

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Shape here on FitSugar.

We all want a toned, flat stomach. No surprise there. But since many women are still relying on crunches to get it, we want to make one thing clear: crunching is not the most effective abs workout. "Crunches work only the muscles on the front and sides of your abdomen, but it's important to target all the muscles of the core to get more defined abs - including lower back, hips, and upper thighs," says Lou Schuler, co-author of The New Rules of Lifting for Abs.

To lose belly fat and uncover amazing abs, Schuler recommends a series of core stabilization exercises based on a training program devised by co-author and personal trainer Alwyn Cosgrove. "Core exercises like the plank help train muscles to stabilize the spine and pelvis so you can avoid back pain and improve posture, Schuler says. "They also burn more calories than crunches because they work more muscles." Trade crunches for these three super-effective abs exercises from The New Rules of Lifting for Abs and you’ll be on your way to a perfectly toned, flatter tummy.

See the exercises and learn how to do them after the break!

Injured? When to Pop an Advil and When to Take a Break

Self — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 04:26:12 PDT

We are pumped to share one of our fave stories from Self here on FitSugar!

The truth hurts. And so did my knee the other day while I was running. I can admit that to myself (and all of you!) now, despite my initial panic about pausing my exercise regimen and falling out of shape right before a beach holiday.

I wondered: Would I have to stop working out altogether? Or could I just take it easy and keep going?

Then I stopped wondering and called women's sports medicine and rehabilitation specialist, Nadya Swedan, MD to get some expert advice. Here, she shares the top four most frequent injuries she sees, how to avoid them in the first place and how to adjust a workout accordingly.

Reveals Dr. Swedan, "The most common injuries I see are ankle sprains and then knee, shoulder and back problems." The expert is quick to remind me that if any injury persists for more than five days, it's essential to get to a doctor. That said, unless the problem is extremely severe, exercise doesn't have to come to a screeching halt. It just needs to be considered carefully.

Find out more about Dr. Swedan's recommendations for exercising with an injury after the break.

Beyond the Plank: More Ways to Work Your Core

Susi May — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 05:32:54 PDT

Planks are great for working your core, but it's important to challenge your center while upright too. Standing core work is functional fitness that more closely mimics moves we do everyday. While we all might not kick a soccer ball halfway down the field on a daily basis like USA goal keeper Hope Solo (pictured here); everyday we do many things standing that require our abs and back to work in tandem, making it essential to move off the ground to train our cores. Plus standing core work means you can't use the old "the floor is too dirty" excuse to skip working your middle, and it's always good to excuse-proof your workout.

My Equinox trainer has been introducing me to a variety of ways to target my core while upright, and I am feeling the benefits on long runs and when lifting my very heavy carry-on luggage into the overhead bin. One of trainer Lauren's tricks is to perform a basic exercise on just one leg. No doubt about it, balancing on one leg is less stable than standing on two. Your core needs to kick in so you don't topple over, and if you actively engage it (meaning you consciously stabilize your torso by pulling your deep abs toward your spine), everything feels just a little bit easier. Try just doing your basic bicep curl to an overhead press with only one foot on the floor, and you will feel what I mean. Single-leg squats and single-leg dead lifts are so much easier (read: stable) when you consciously work your abs.

Keep on reading for more core moves.