Healthy happy you.
Here are tips from the OnSugar blogger goddessbody, a licensed reflexologist, on relieving shoulder tension by rubbing specific parts of your feet. Shoulder pain and muscle stiffness are very prevalent and I find that most of my clients complain of holding some degree of muscle tension in their shoulders. The shoulder reflexes are found on the proximal phalanx of the 5th toe. This is the area Read more
If you sit at a computer all day or find yourself behind the wheel for extended periods of time, no doubt you've experienced a tight upper back. Well I have a fix for you, and it's a variation on the Eagle pose in yoga. Instead of holding the pose, you circle your arms in the entangled position, which makes for a glorious stretch. For the details, just read more Read more
Stress has many physical manifestations, but for me its main targets are my neck and shoulders. Muscles tension builds up and seems to create a barrier between the brain and the body, causing pain and making it hard for me to concentrate. If you are feeling stressed, or even just stiff in the neck and shoulders, it pays to move, stretch, and massage those areas. Here are five ways you can Read more
After learning Ashtanga Yoga's Sun Salutation A, it's time to learn the poses in Sun Salutation B. It begins with a pose called Fierce, which may look easy but is a killer move for your thighs and glutes when done correctly. It also strengthens your core and stretches your calves, so it's an essential move for runners and high-heel wearers alike. Sanskrit Name: Utkatasana English Translation: Read more
We spend about a third of our lives in slumberland, but many people complain of not sleeping well. If you have a tough time falling asleep or you toss and turn in the middle of the night, try exercising during the day and limiting alcohol and caffeine a few hours before bedtime. But if you are doing this already and still have troubles, here are three things to do immediately before hitting the Read more
Indoor cycling classes are an amazing cardio workout, but if you don't know what you're doing, you'll walk away frustrated, or, even worse — injured. Compared to other group fitness classes, indoor cardio cycling is also a little harder to pick up on when trying it for the first time. After getting the lowdown on what to expect from your first class, follow these rules on things you should Read more
It's natural for work to leave you a little stressed, but if you're a frazzled mess from nine to five, it's important to step back and relax. Not sure how to loosen up? From doodling to redecorating, here are 13 easy ways to de-stress during the workday: Finish the tough stuff first. Try to get your most complicated tasks out of the way early in the day so that they're not looming over you for Read more
If you're looking for a gentler inversion alternative than Wheel Pose, Bridge (Sanskrit name: Setu Bandha Sarvangasana) should be your go-to. While my favorite — and least favorite! — poses are constantly evolving, I have always been partial to this beautiful heart-opening pose. The reason? Although it's very active and energizing, there's also something relaxing and calming about Bridge. Read more
Sitting at a desk for hours on end, staring at your computer screen, and scrunching your shoulders as you type can create a stiff neck and tense shoulders, or even a headache. Take a break and do these four stretches at your desk to offer some stress relief. Behind the Back Neck Stretch: offers a deep stretch in the sides of your neck Sitting on the edge of a sturdy chair, reach both hands Read more
Doing Full Backbend, also known as Wheel pose, isn't exactly on the list of beginner moves. It's demanding both from a flexibility as well as a strength standpoint, so it's best to stick to Half Wheel, Camel, and other easier variations before trying your hand at Full Backbend. When you are ready, here are some things to keep in mind to ensure you're doing this heart-opening pose safely and Read more
