FitSugar

Shopping App Bringing on Stylish Users: Will You Join?

Noria Morales — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 07:36:50 PDT

When we heard that some of our favorite bloggers - Leandra of The Man Repeller, Geri Hirsch from Because I'm Addicted - were using Pose, the new shopping application, we were intrigued. The site promised "exceedingly stylish shoppers" when we first laid eyes on the app, and we're happy it's delivering. The site allows users to upload pics of themselves and their finds while shopping, and you can join in on the fun by giving your opinions, shopping for the same items (imitation is the best form of flattery), and sharing your own looks. When is it most useful? When someone discovers the must-have item of the season - those woven Prada heels - and posts where to get them in real time. If you are shopping obsessed, this might be an app worth checking out. Plus, it's free. If only the clothes were too . . .

Download of the Day: Pose For iPhone

Kristen Hawley — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 04:00:56 PST

The social shopping trend has moved from the web to mobile, and now a new app is poised to help you shop and inspire you with suggestions and recommendations from others. Pose is meant to enhance your in-store shopping experience by allowing you to take photos of merchandise, recording pricing and location information. Then, share it with friends for feedback via email or social networking to get trusted opinions.

If you're looking for inspiration, Pose has you covered; continuously updated style feeds show popular items, the latest posted, and an editorially selected feed featuring "the finds of a handpicked group of exceedingly stylish shoppers."

Pose for iPhone is free to download; an Android app will be available soon.

Strike a Yoga Pose: One-Legged Four-Limbed Staff Pose

FitSugar — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 03:00:28 PDT

As if holding your body a few inches above the ground in Four-Limbed Staff wasn't challenging enough, here's a variation to make your upper body, abs, and booty work even harder.

Sanskrit Name: Eka Pada Chaturanga Dandasana
English Translation: One-Legged Four-Limbed Staff Pose
Also Called: One-Legged Chaturanga

Curious to know how to get into this pose? Then

Belly Aching? Try Some Yoga

FitSugar — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 02:30:00 PST

So how are you feeling after that enormous Thanksgiving meal? Not so good? If your belly is feeling less than perfect, try some of these "wind releasing" stretches (that's really what they're called).

Nothing gets things moving along like a great spinal twist. This one is called 1-Legged Seated Spinal Twist or Marichyasana.

Want to see the other stretches? Then

If you're bloated or constipated, bend both knees into your chest and give yourself a big hug. It'll help to massage your abdominal organs.

You can also do this pose by alternately hugging one knee into the chest, holding for five breaths, and then switching sides.

Does your body need a little bit more stretching? Why not bring along a gentle yoga DVD and pop it in. Get your family members to do it along with you. It'll help you relax from the stress of traveling and also help with digestion.

Strike a Yoga Pose: Balancing Lotus

FitSugar — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PDT

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

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.

Partner Yoga Pose: Seated Straddle Lounge

FitSugar — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 15:45:00 PDT

Some of my favorite activities, like running and biking, really make my hamstrings and the muscles of my lower back tight, so I love doing forward bends to stretch them out. Sometimes, I need a little help in order to get a really deep stretch.

Here is one of my favorite partner yoga poses that really provides a serious stretch for the back of my body. Partner #1 gets the hamstring and lower back stretch first, while Partner #2 gets to lounge back and open their chest - which also feels great after a long bike ride!

Want to hear how to get into this? Then

Both partners sit down with their backs touching.
Partner #1 brings about 3 ft between their legs, coming into a Seated Straddle position. Then they fold forward, walking their hands out in front of them.
Partner #2 slowly leans back, resting their spine and head on Partner #1's back. If it feels comfortable, Partner #2 can hold onto Partner #1's feet.
Keep talking to each other, making small adjustments if necessary.
When either partner has had enough, they both slowly lift their torsos back up and then switch roles.

Fit's Tips: This is a really relaxing pose, great to do in the early morning or right before bed. photo from Partner Yoga by Cain Carroll and Lori Kimata, N.D.

Partner Yoga Pose: Double Sandwich

FitSugar — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:30:00 PDT

Seated forward bends feel amazing on your hamstrings and lower back. Doing this pose with a partner, called Double Sandwich, can add some some weight to your torso and help you elongate your spine even further. It also gives you an even deeper stretch than you could ever do on your own.

Continue reading to find out how to do this pose.

Partner Yoga Pose: Dog Hero

FitSugar — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 17:15:00 PDT

Partner Yoga poses are all about supporting one another and helping to bring your partner into a deeper, more fulfilling pose. This is one of my favorites that I call Dog Hero.

Hero pose is all about stretching through your quads, but if this pose is easy for you, when you lie on your back, you won't really feel much of a stretch. That's where your partner can help. By adding just a little weight to your thighs, and helping you stretch through your arms, this pose becomes much more intense (in a good way). Plus the person on top doing Downward Facing Dog also gets a wonderful stretch through their upper back and the backs of their legs. By joining these poses together, both of you will feel the benefits.

Here's how to get into it.

Talk to your partner and figure out who will be Partner #1 and who will be Partner #2.
Partner #1 lies down on the ground and gets into Hero pose with their arm extended over their head.
Partner #2 stands above Partner #1's head. Partner #1 grabs onto Partner #2's ankles. Then Partner #2 bends down and places their hands on Partner #1's thighs in a Downward Facing Dog position.
Make sure you talk to your partner and say things like "Is this okay? Should I move my hands? Tell me when to stop. Press harder, etc." Stay for as long as you both decide, and then switch positions so Partner #2 starts in Hero pose.

Whatever you do with your partner should feel good, and remember that the least flexible person is in charge. If you are new to yoga this probably isn't the best partner pose to try. The most important thing is to listen to each other's needs and suggestions, have an open mind, and have fun. If you loved doing this Partner Yoga pose, give Standing Straddle, Double Dog, and Double Tree a try.

How to Pose Like A Celebrity For the Camera

GeekSugar — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 10:00:01 PDT

Most celebrities have their token photo pose, which they undoubtedly adopted in an attempt to combat those 10 pounds the camera adds, but how did they come up with the actual stance? The Sun has put together a list of ways to Look sexy in snaps like celebs that offers a little behind the scenes advice for looking good in front of the camera. Highlights include:

The Over The Shoulder - Stars like Rihanna and Jenna Jameson (seen here) love the over-the-shoulder look because it's a statement pose and flaunts your back, bum and shoulders. It draws attention to detail of your gown if it's backless or really ornate.
Cheerleader kick - Used by celebrities of all body types, a pointed and turned out toe pose adds an extra few inches to your leg, elongating its appearance.

For the rest of the list,

Hands on Hips - This is Paris Hilton's token move. It's flattering because it makes your arm appear trimly toned and with the elbow pulled back it helps give you a bit of shape by drawing attention to your waist. Curvier celebs adopt the same pose but with their elbow straight out leaning their upper body away from the arm to give as much space between the two as possible.
Shoulders back, stand tall - Eva Mendes is a fan of this less "posed" stance, which comes off as more natural than other poses. It draws attention to your décolletage and shoulders.
Crossed ankles - Nicole Richie uses this one often to elongate her legs.

If you happen to be behind the camera, you can play with light and angles to make your subjects look thinner. Source

A Little Sanskrit Lesson: Animal Names

FitSugar — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 08:45:00 PDT

When you take a yoga class (especially Ashtanga, Vinyasa, and Jivamukti classes), sometimes the instructor will call out the names of the poses in their original language, Sanskrit. Here's a list of some animals in Sanskrit and the poses they're named after. Knowing these Sanskrit words really helped me to remember the names of certain yoga poses.

Baka - crow, crane or wading bird, as in Bakasana (Crow pose)
Bheka - frog, as in Bhekasana (Frog pose)
Bhujanga - snake or serpent, as in Bhujangasana (Cobra pose)
Gomukha - face resembling a cow, as in Gomukhasana (Cow Face pose)
Kapota - dove or pigeon, as in Salamba Kapotasana (Supported Pigeon pose)
Kukkuta - rooster or cock, as in Kukkutasana (Cock pose)
Kurma - tortoise, as in Kurmasana
Matsya - fish, as in Matsyasana (Fish pose)
Mayura - peacock, as in Pincha Mayurasana (Feathered Peacock pose, also called Forearm Stand)
Nakra - crocodile, as in Nakrasana (Crocodile pose)
Svana - dog, as in Adho Mukkha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog pose)
Simha lion, as in Simhasana (Lion pose)
Vatayana - horse, as in Vatayanasana (Horse pose)
Vrschika - scorpion, as in Vrschikasana (Scorpion pose)

Humans were not the first to do yoga. Way back in India, animals were observed in nature, and noted for their particular abilities and accomplishments. To imitate these qualities was considered a high sign of spiritual enlightenment, that's why so many yoga poses are named after animals. Check out this post to see animals doing yoga.