FitSugar

Partner Yoga Book: The Joy of Partner Yoga

FitSugar — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 14:30:00 -0700

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.

View 3 Photos ›

Partner Yoga Book: Yoga for Partners

FitSugar — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 12:30:00 -0700

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.

Partner Yoga Book: Contact - The Yoga of Relationship

FitSugar — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 03:00:00 -0700

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, read more.

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.

Weekend Reading: Yoga Books With a Spiritual Flare

FitSugar — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 03:00:00 -0700

There are so many books out there on yoga, It seems like every yoga instructor in the world has written a book. Many of them contain the same information about the same postures. It gives people the impression that yoga is just a form of exercise, and that's all.

Yoga is so much more. It's all about the emotions and sensations that come from turning your awareness inward. It's about listening to your inner voice, and about expanding your heart.

The thing that is so amazing about yoga is that it's been around for thousands of years and it has an astounding and rich history.

All of these books listed below are wonderful reads if you are looking to learn more about the spiritual and historical aspect of yoga.

Yoga: The Spirit and Practice of Moving Into Stillness by Erich Schiffmann (available through Amazon for $11.53) is one of the 1st books I picked up. It does illustrate postures, but it also focuses on using the practice of yoga as a way to meditate, and listen to your inner heart to find guidance and support.

If you want to see the others, then read more

Open Body: Creating Your Own Yoga by Todd Walton is a beautiful book. There are amazing artistic drawings of postures and delicate words describing how to tap into your emotional and creative self through yoga.

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, was translated by Sri Swami Satchidananda and is a complete manual for the study of the spiritual practice of yoga. It's a must-have for people wanting to learn about the foundation and basis of yoga. Get it for $10.68 through Amazon.

The Heart of Yoga: Developing a Personal Practice by T.K.V. Desikachar is available through Amazon for $13.57. This is an exceptional book written by the son of the great Krishnamacharya, who by the way, taught Sri BKS Iyengar (founder of Iyengar yoga) and Sri K. Pattabhi Jois (founder of Ashtanga yoga). That alone should inspire you to pick up this book. It describes so much about the study of yoga, and in the back, even includes the complete text of the Yoga Sutras.

I hope these books help to explain more about the important aspects of yoga. It's not just about twisting yourself into a pretzel and standing on your head. It's about listening to the voice within, becoming aware of and experiencing the truth, wisdom, and love inside your heart, and sharing what you discover with the world.

Weekend Reading: The Key Muscles of Hatha Yoga

FitSugar — Sat, 10 Feb 2007 03:30:00 -0800

I came across this amazing yoga book that got me really excited. It isn't filled with photos of beautifully buff and lean bodies that typify the genre. No, the illustrations are literally the muscles.

It's called The Key Muscles of Hatha Yoga, and you can order it online for $55. It seems kind of pricey, but once you see the illustrations, you'll find it's like no other yoga book.

You view the yoga poses objectively, so you won't compare yourself negatively comparing your body to the ones in the book.

The pictures show all the major bones and muscles of the body in yoga poses, which helps you visualize proper alignment and which muscles you're working. You'll learn about joints, tendons, ligaments, breath, and the chakras.

It makes yoga a little bit more literal, more scientific, more about the human body and less about your ego and your pride. It's a little reminder that deep down, we are all human.

This book reminds me of the Body Worlds Art Exhibit.

View 4 Photos ›

Presidential Yoga?

FitSugar — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 03:00:00 -0800

OK, I thought I've seen every yoga book in and out of print. But this one, I never thought I'd see the likes.

George W. Bush? Doing Yoga? What a novel idea. The man running our country sure could use some relaxation. I'm sure he'll agree that Yoga is great at relieving tense and tight muscles, and calming the nerves. And an hour and a half class is a great time to bring your attention inward, meditate on pertinent issues and concerns, and offer up peace to the universe.

Thanks Dub-ya, for creating Bush Yoga. With you breathing and stretching, the world is sure to be a better place.

Healthy Dose Link Time!!!!!!!

FitSugar — Mon, 14 May 2007 13:30:00 -0700

The Skinny Website has the skinny on celebrity diets that work.

fitPod has a new free music mix for you to download.

Renee Gets Fit shares her top 5 books on tape. The plots will keep you moving when music fails to motivate.

vitabeat reports that the AMA is urging the Motion Picture Association to mandate R ratings for movies with smoking.

iFit&Healthy explains Tyra Banks new addiction to exercise.

About: Yoga shares details on becoming a yoga teacher and the training involved.

Complete Running has details on adventure racing collegiate style. Running, kayaking, mountain biking - it is all in there.

That's Fit knows road rage is not beneficial to your health. So they're offering some tips on how to avoid it.

diet-blog shares some ratings on 5 diet meal delivery plans.

Leslie Goldman, from the The Weighting Game, has a book coming out in paperback titled Locker Room Diaries, The subtitle explains it all: The Naked Truth About Women, Body Image and Re-imagining the "Perfect" Body.

Healthy Dose Link Time

FitSugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:05:04 -0800

Revamp your belly in a month with these moves - Shape
Use your iPhone to find a yoga class near you - Social Workout
Two books to inspire the fit life. Win one with just a comment - Fit Bottomed Girls
Amy Winehouse's latest addiction is surprising - FitCeleb
Guess the most popular day to call in sick - Vitamin G
Wii Fit burns calories, but not as many as you think - Fresh Fitness Tips
It starts early even preschoolers affected by airbrushing - Never Say Diet

Media Frenzy: Ashtanga

FitSugar — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 02:00:00 -0800

Going to an Ashtanga Yoga class can be pretty intimidating. There are tons of poses, it moves pretty fast, and everyone seems to know what they're doing. As if that wasn't hard enough, your instructor might be calling the poses by their Sanskrit names.

Don't get stressed out. Yoga is supposed to be relaxing, remember? Before going to a class it'll help to know the poses ahead of time. So doing a little research is a good thing - there are books to help you out. Or you can hang a poster on your bedroom wall and study the poses whenever you're bored. Like to practice at home? Then pop this DVD in the machine and follow along.

Fit's Tip: When I was first learning Ashtanga, I brought a waterproof study guide to take to class with me. It'll put your mind at ease and help you learn the order so you don't feel lost.

Acacia: Supports the Happy Healthy You

FitSugar — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 15:15:00 -0800

While searching for fitness DVDs online, I found Acacia - it's a wonderful source for beautiful and natural products that relax and rejuvenate.

They have distinctive creations for the body, spirit, and home - for inspiration, well-being, and for a more healthy and balanced life.

You can find unique clothing, footwear, beauty supplies, jewelry, and books. But really - they have an exceptional DVD collection that's pretty reasonably priced.

I found some great videos on Pilates, Yoga, Dance, and Prenatal fitness. Each video is around $20, which seems fairly reasonable, considering I usually see them for a lot more.

Fit's Tips: Want to give the gift of health and wellness? You can buy Acacia gift certificates online, so your friend can choose from a whole array of spiritual items that support a healthy and peaceful lifestyle. This might even make great Valentine's Day gift for your loved ones.