Healthy happy you.
Although it feels like we were just talking about bikini workouts and sunscreen, tomorrow is the first day of Winter — aka the Winter Solstice. You can celebrate by getting outside for a Winter run, cooking up a hearty pot of soup, or do like the yogis do: perform 108 Sun Salutations, a practice called Mala. The number 108 is considered sacred in Hindu and Buddhist belief systems, and it Read more
I'm a huge fan of Shiva Rea. I love her serene yet inspiring energy in her yoga DVD Fluid Power. So I was really excited to check out the DVD Sun Salutations. This DVD goes back to the basics, and she demonstrates how to do variations of Sun Salutations. You can choose from 5 short video segments: "classic practice," "surya namaskar A & B," "dancing warrior 1 & 2," "dancing warrior Read more
Want to build your arm and core strength? Then start doing Four-Limbed Staff pose. It intensively works your abs, back, upper arms, and shoulders all at the same time. It's a toughie, but once you get the right technique and you practice it a lot, it'll get easier. Sanskrit Name: Chaturanga Dandasana English Translation: Four-Limbed Staff Pose From Standing Forward Bend pose, inhale, 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
Moms-to-be, we salute you. Perhaps your body is changing, and you're not quite sure if your favorite beauty treatments are allowed. In honor of today's release of What to Expect When You're Expecting, we reached out to Dr. Lindsay Cruel, OB/GYN (also known as my dad) to debunk any pregnancy beauty myths. Find out your prenatal dos and don'ts when you read more. Read more
As soon as the hint of Summer comes along, I'm all about taking my workout outside. I'll admit, however, that for me, forgoing the gym for the great outdoors usually means I'm out for a run. Luckily, there are many ways I can take more than my cardio outside. Here are some ideas for enjoying the fresh air while you tone up and stretch out. Take a bootcamp class: Ready to get whipped into shape Read more
Sun Salutation can mark a beautiful, introspective time in your day, and I'm a huge fan of employing the help of some happy, sunny tunes to get me motivated and centered. Starting a day with even just 20 minutes on the mat can make a big difference in how you look at the world around you. If your morning practice is feeling a little tired — or like me, you've literally fallen asleep on your Read more
Practicing yoga is one of the best ways to relieve stress, but since you're holding yourself in challenging positions, it's also a killer workout for your upper body. Superstrong, sculpted arms not only look good in a strapless dress, but also enable you to do more advanced yoga poses. Here are some ways you can build a stronger upper body with yoga. Practice, practice, practice: Taking a class Read more
The secret to Jennifer Aniston's sleek, toned arms, according to her yoga go-to Mandy Ingber, is the Sun Salute. A staple of every yoga class, the Sun Salute stretches and strengthens the shoulders, biceps, and triceps. It's also a great way to warm up before working out. Take a lesson from Mandy and learn the Sun Salute by watching this video. Read more
No wonder you're confused about which type of yoga to take — there are so many to choose from. Repetitive Ashtanga, insanely hot Bikram, and alignment-focused Iyengar are a few popular ones you've probably heard of, but Vinyasa is quickly becoming a popular choice. Here are some reasons why. The Element of Surprise Ashtanga and Bikram have one thing in common — the sequence of poses are the Read more
