FitSugar

Partner Yoga Book: Contact - The Yoga of Relationship

FitSugar — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 03:00:00 PDT

I find practicing yoga regularly helps keep me feeling centered, both physically and mentally. But that doesn't mean you need to do yoga solo. Partner yoga can be often be twice as fun and more enriching. The book Contact: The Yoga of Relationship ($26) is a great way to learn how to make many poses work for two people.

This book is filled with gorgeous full size black and white photos of really creative partner poses, for both the beginner and the experienced yogi alike. The book is organized around seven points of contact yoga: trust, passion, commitment, love, communication, vision, and union. As you peruse through the pages, you'll see that there are several unique postures to try that are associated with each point. Trying these poses out with a partner is sure to strengthen your connection with that person, and leave you both smiling.

To see inside this book,

View 4 Photos ›

Fit's Tips: If you're interested in checking out other Partner Yoga books, these are a few of my faves: The Joy of Partnered Yoga, Yoga For Partners, and the DVD Together - The Art of Partnered Yoga.

Partner Yoga Book: The Joy of Partner Yoga

FitSugar — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 14:30:00 PDT

It's no secret that I enjoy partner yoga poses. I find The Joy of Partner Yoga ($12.21) by Mishabae truly inspirational. She also made a great Partner Yoga DVD, too. She really knows her stuff.

This book is perfect for newbies and yogis alike. Each page is filled with beautiful photographs and step-by-step instructions of the poses. Mishabae has created sequences of partner poses, so you can flow from one into another. It feels like you are dancing. If you're not into the spiritual aspect of yoga, skip over the introductory pages of each chapter.

Partner yoga isn't just for you and your lover. Any two people can benefit from it, no matter what their relationship. So grab your daughter, your best friend, or your sister and check it out. I guarantee that after doing some partner yoga poses, you'll both be smiling and laughing.

To look at some of the pages click the images below.

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Partner Yoga Book: Yoga for Partners

FitSugar — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 12:30:00 PDT

I love the idea of going to a Partner Yoga Workshop with my hubby, but he shudders at the idea. He does like to do yoga, but isn't really into going to classes. Why? He doesn't like that instructors tell you what to do, and you don't really have the freedom to do what your body feels like doing. I see his point, so we compromise and do yoga together at home.

When you have no instructor showing you what to do, a Partner Yoga book is really helpful. I just picked up a new one called Yoga for Partners by Jessie Chapman ($10.17 through Amazon).

It has over 75 black and white photos of postures you can do with someone - a lover, friend, or child. Each picture is accompanied by an explanation of how to get into the pose, health benefits, helpful positioning tips, and breathing advice. This book is really easy to use. Just pick a posture and go for it.

Partner Yoga is all about exploring your relationship with another in a creative and playful way. It's sure to deepen your connection, make your body feel open, and bring out some laughs as well.

Get Great Benefits by Taking on One of These 11 Part-Time Jobs

LearnVest — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:15:46 PST

We're thrilled to present this smart LearnVest story here on Savvy!

“Underemployment” is a term that, compared to “unemployment,” more fully captures the lack of job opportunities.

The underemployed includes the unemployed as well as those employed part-time but wanting full-time work.

According to a recent poll, underemployment is currently at 18.1 percent. That’s down from 18.3 percent the month prior, and 19 percent a year ago. While these numbers are still high, there are opportunities to work part-time. You won’t make as much money as you would with a full-time job, but with many part-time positions, you’ll not only earn a salary but also score some great perks.

Related: the 10 Fastest-Growing Jobs

We’ve put together a list of 11 big-name companies that provide big benefits to its part-time workers. Whether they're offering free merchandise, health insurance benefits, or tuition aid, these employers certainly make it worth your while to work, even if you’re only putting in 20 hours a week.

Whole Foods

After part-timers have worked 400 hours, they get health, dental, and vision plans, as well as 401(k) retirement plans, paid time off, and a 20 percent employee discount. After working 6,000 hours, employees are offered stock options.

Target

Work at Target as few as two and a half days a week for six months, and you can become eligible for Target’s health care coverage. Employees also get access to other health benefits like free flu vaccinations, a 24-hour nurse hotline, and discounts for Weight Watchers.

Read on for more.

How to Avoid 4 Unromantic Pitfalls on a Couples Getaway

Annie Scudder — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 10:51:49 PDT

Planning to drown yourself in love, wine, and delicious California cuisine in the wine country? Looking to escape to New York to find the beauty in the urban jungle and each other? Maybe you're setting out to the sea, or have designs for the ultimate romantic getaway to Paris, the charming city of love. No matter where you and your honey are headed this Summer, we have tips to keep the trip sweet. To see four common travel pitfalls that every couple faces and solutions to help you avoid them, just keep reading!

Partner Yoga Pose: Double Boat

FitSugar — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 16:30:00 PST

When you practice yoga on your own, it can be very internal and meditative, which is one of the reasons people love yoga so much. Yoga also stretches, strengthens, and tones your muscles, and if you do yoga poses with another person, the physical and emotional benefits are amazing. Not only can you get deeper into poses, but you can also deepen your connection.

Here's a fun partner yoga pose to try. I call it Double Boat, and you can find it in the book Yoga for Partners. When you do Boat pose on your own, it totally works your abs, but when you do it with a partner, it changes the stretch and works your hamstrings.

To find out how to do Double Boat

Sit opposite your partner, with about three feet between you.
Hold hands on the outside of your legs. Raise both legs and place the soles of your feet together.
Work on finding your balance and, when you're ready, try straightening your legs. You may need to come out of the pose and adjust the distance between you and you partner, moving an inch or two apart if your hamstrings are less flexible, and moving a couple inches closer if you are more flexible. The least flexible person is always in charge, so make sure you do the pose in a way that's comfortable to both partners. It's OK if one or both of you can't straighten your legs. If it helps, you can work on one leg at a time, keeping the opposite foot planted on the floor.
As you hold the pose, work on drawing your lower back in (trying not to hunch or round your spine) and engaging your abs. You can either gaze towards each other, or drop your heads back and gaze behind you.
Stay here for five or more breaths and then slowly lower your legs down to the ground and release your partner's hands. If your lower back is sore, take a counter-pose such as Child's Pose on your own, or do Double Sandwich together.

Source: Flickr User lmpicard