FitSugar

Namaste For the Big Day: Yoga For Weddings

FitSugar — Fri, 16 May 2008 12:00:00 -0700

If you're planning a wedding-related party, anything from an engagement party to a bachelorette bash, why not do something a little different? Since weddings are pretty stressful, everyone will appreciate a party that'll help release some of the tension and anxiety. I'm talking about a Yoga Party, and it's sure to encourage some calmness, self-reflection, and emotional renewal, which every bride and bridesmaid need.

If you don't know of any Yoga instructors in your area, or if you happen to be traveling elsewhere for the party, why not hire someone from Yoga For Weddings? They offer special event packages so you can customize a bridal shower or bachelorette party. Currently, they have teachers in California, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, New York, and Oregon. It may be just the thing if you're not into a night of strippers and barhopping.

If you're looking for more Yoga in your life, you don't have to stop at just one session. Yoga For Weddings also offers packages of six or 12 classes, or six months of classes - for yourself, you and the groom, or for you and your entire bridal party. It's a great way to stay fit, healthy, and centered in the time leading up to your special day.

Head to IDoSugar for more wedding coverage.

Bachelorette Party Idea: Private Yoga Class

FitSugar — Fri, 18 May 2007 03:30:00 -0700

Not into doing shots and going to see male strippers for your bachelorette party? Instead of going out and getting a lap dance from some muscular stranger wearing a g-string, how about doing something centering and physical like a private yoga class?

You can hire an instructor you know or contact a local yoga studio. AN istructor could either come to your home, but if you don't have the space, you could have the private class at the studio or gym where they teach.

Or check out this service - Yoga for Weddings. It's made up of a network of yoga instructors from New York, London, Seattle, and Miami. Even if you don't live in those cities, if you book them far enough in advance, they can get an instructor to come to you wherever you are. You can do one private class or sign up for a class package.

Just e-mail or call Yoga for Weddings to discuss details or to schedule a private Yoga session.

I love this idea because it supports your healthy, active lifestyle. You can't get a massive headache hangover from a yoga class, but you may learn to stand on your head. Yoga is all about inspiring you to stretch and move your body, so you can open your heart and calm your mind. It'll be an experience you and your girlfriends will always remember.

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Destress On Your Big Day: Yoga for Weddings

FitSugar — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 13:00:00 -0800

For all you bride-to be's out there, I just came upon this great website called Yoga For Weddings. Basically, it's a service that offers private yoga classes for brides, grooms, and their families, focusing on de-stressing and making strong connections.

Real teachers will come to you, and give classes for the months leading up to your wedding, such as a Bride Class, Groom Class, Bride & Groom Class, Parent Class, In-Law Class, Bachelorette/Bachelor Party Class (definitely not your traditional party), Bridal Party Class, Sibling Class, Groom & Dad Class, Bride & Mom Class, Bride & Sibling Class, Groom & Mom Class, or Family Combo Class.

They offer private classes for the day or week of your wedding, and classes for after the wedding, like for your Anniversary (aww).

I love this idea. Currently, they have teachers based in New York, London, Seattle, and Miami, but they'll work with you through their network of yoga instructors, depending on where you need them. Just e-mail or call Yoga For Weddings - schedule one class or a class package, and they'll come to you, offering you peace and relaxation on your special day.

Get Physical: Partner Yoga for the Bride and Groom

FitSugar — Sat, 21 Apr 2007 02:30:00 -0700

Since wedding planning can be really hectic, why not relieve some stress by trying something new with your fiancé? When yoga poses are done with another, especially someone you care about, they can relax your mind, open your heart and deepen your connection. Yoga is great on your own, but when you practice Partner Yoga, you can achieve what you never could alone.

Interested? Check out the yoga studios in your area to see if they offer special Partner Yoga classes or workshops. It's a great way to learn partner poses from an actual instructor so you can ask questions and get help with alignment. Plus, with the two of you in the class, when you're at home practicing together, you can help each other remember how to do the poses (two memories are better than one!).

Can't find a class? Then read more

I highly recommend this amazing book called Partner Yoga: Making Contact for Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual Growth. You can get it through Buy.com for only $16.18.

It explains the spiritual aspect of Partner Yoga brilliantly, plus the illustrations are incredibly helpful so you can figure out exactly what you're supposed to be doing.

It explains why touch is so important to our well-being and happiness. Partner Yoga can provide a playground for contact that is intimate, but not sexual. It can nourish that need for loving and affectionate touch that so many of us are living without.

Fit's Tips: Know any new couples? This Partner Yoga Book also makes a great Engagement or Bridal Shower gift!

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A Week In Review: FitSugar roundup

FitSugar — Sat, 21 Apr 2007 04:00:00 -0700

Meatless Mondays are starting at my house this coming Monday.

Now that it is Saturday, you've got to try the booty workout. Here's the printable version for you to take to the gym.

Here is a new TreadMill workout for you to try next time you're at the gym. Or if you have one at home hop on and try it.

Speak Up and tell me what you listen to when you workout.

After splurging on Burberry golf accessoriesyou might just need some FREE golf lessons.

We all know fiber is an important part of our diet. But do you know if an apple or a pear has more fiber? You might also be interested in knowing how much fiber your favorite fruit has to offer.

Since it IS the weekend you have time to practice Sun Salutation B.

Monday was the Boston Marathon and Lidiya Grigoryeva won by finishing in 2 hours and 29 minutes. Jacob might have taken a little longer to cross the finish line, but his story is quite motivational.

The Sugar pages have been filled with wedding mania this week, but walking seems to be how Eva Longoria deals with her pre-wedding stress.

Just wondering if you have tried the Side Push Up. It is a great way to work your arms.

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Natalie Coughlin's Pre-Wedding Run

FitSugar — Thu, 21 May 2009 03:00:00 -0700

She may have made her athletic mark in the pool, but Olympic medalist Natalie Coughlin also loves to run. She began running in college as part of her aerobic conditioning regimen. Once she graduated from UC Berkeley, she continued to run to help calm her energetic pooch - a border terrier. But running doesn't just calm her dog; it works for her, too.

When Runner's World asked Natalie if she was going to run on her upcoming wedding day, she replied:

"Yes. I've spent a lot of time planning my run the morning of my wedding. I know I'll need to work off my nerves. The problem is finding a route that won't let my fiancé see me."

Nice to see that this athlete included planning for exercise along with all the other wedding planning. Working out is a great way to calm pre-wedding nerves. If you can't get out to do cardio, carve out 20 minutes to do some calming yoga moves before getting ready.

Need more wedding inspiration? Check out all of the Sugar network's wedding coverage here.

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Dos and Don'ts of Healthy Wedding Planning

FitSugar — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 08:00:00 -0700

Let's face it: planning a wedding is stressful. Depending on how big your wedding is, it could be one of the most stressful projects you've ever taken on. So amid all the excitement, it's important to keep yourself fit, healthy, centered, and sane. Here's what do to (and what not to do) when planning a wedding the fit and healthy way.

Do make a plan. It sounds basic, but start by planning out your timeline, then go down the list one by one. Otherwise, you'll easily feel overwhelmed.
Don't be shy about accepting help. People have gotten married many times before, so why start from scratch? Registry checklists, like our downloadable registry, will save you serious time. You'll also have people offering to help you left and right, so let them!
Do come up with a fitness plan. If part of your plan includes getting fit for the big day, map out a workout schedule - with the help of online programs or a trainer - to keep yourself on track.

For a few other ideas for how to stay sane while planning your wedding, read more.

Don't overdo it. Getting in shape shouldn't mean setting unrealistic goals that require crash-dieting and unsafe lifestyle changes. Losing a maximum of two pounds a week is considered reasonable.
Do make time for yourself. You'll be bombarded by people and questions right through the wedding day, so set aside some alone time for yoga, massages, walks - whatever.
Don't neglect your workouts. Make sure your exercise routine doesn't get lost in the shuffle. Put workouts on your calendar, alongside all your wedding appointments. If you want, recruit a special wedding workout buddy.
Do control your party-food intake. You're likely to attend some engagement and bachelorette parties before the big day, but if you're trying to stay slim, keep your indulging in check. Have a bite of something you're craving, then move on.

Any of you recent brides out there have anything to add? If so, share them in the comments!
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Wedding Day Workout Tips

FitSugar — Tue, 19 May 2009 08:00:00 -0700

If you're a bride- or bridesmaid-to-be, chances are you've kicked up your diet and exercise routine a notch so you can look and feel picture-perfect for the big day. So when the special day arrives, there's no reason to say goodbye to your sports bra and sneakers. It'll feel good to move your body a little before slipping on your dress, so here are some tips to keep in mind when working out on the day of the wedding.

Definitely exercise, even if you only have a short amount of time. It'll help reduce prewedding jitters and give you energy to dance well into the night.
Eat before you exercise, preferably something that's high in protein but not high in fiber as it may add to the intestinal uneasiness you'll most likely be experiencing.

For the other tips read more.

Now is not the day to try anything new and challenging like mountain biking or water skiing. You don't want to risk injuring yourself before walking down the aisle.
Don't push yourself too hard physically. Do something of moderate difficulty that you enjoy, like going for a jog on the beach or a bike ride around town. The purpose of this workout should be to get your heart pumping, but it should also calm your mind.
Include your bridesmaids and family in your prewedding workout. Many yoga instructors or other fitness experts will travel, so you can hire them to lead a group class. That way everyone will benefit from a little exercise, and you'll still be spending time together.
If you're at a place that has its own gym, definitely take advantage. If your husband-to-be wants to hit the gym too but you don't want to see each other until the big moment, have someone tell him what time you're planning on going.

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Lessons Learned at Yoga Journal Conference

FitSugar — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 04:30:00 -0800

A few weeks ago I was treated to two yoga classes offered at the Yoga Journal's annual conference in San Francisco. Taking the two two-hour classes back-to-back felt like a hometown mini-yoga retreat for me and I loved it. Held in a fancy downtown hotel, hundreds of ladies and a few handfuls of men chanted, meditated, and practiced serious asana for the entire weekend.

Personally, I loved the incongruity of practicing yoga in hotel ballrooms where wedding receptions and board meetings are generally held. I checked in the day prior to my classes and was presented with a reusable tote bag full of health nut goodies: arnica gel, energy bars, supplements, even seeds for planting poppies. It was fun to go through, but back to the classes and the lessons I learned.

I took two very distinct classes. One from Ana Forrest, whom I describe as the Ted Nugent of the yoga world, and the other from the well-known Rodney Yee. The Forrest yoga class, titled "Unraveling the Mysteries of the Neck, Shoulders, and Hips," was a great way to start the day. It is the only yoga technique where I have done ab work early in class, which I love. In Forrest yoga, the neck is often kept completely relaxed with the head just hanging. It is great for anyone suffering from neck pain. The most profound moment for me in this class was a small snippet Ana said as we held a Warrior 1 for what seemed like 500 years. She said, "When you think about quitting, don't . . . and see what that is like." Sounds simple, but it helps me persevere through hard poses and hard runs too.

To hear what I learned in Rodney Yee's, read more.

This Iyengar-based class explored the bones. Instead of focusing on muscles and shapes of poses, we moved from the bones. This idea made all the asanas so much easier. We stood in mountain pose while placing our weight on the front of the heel bone (calcaneus). This way of standing balances the entire skeleton and creates excellent posture. Concentrating on centering the weight in the front of the heel in other poses made them easier and oddly helped my back. Even seated poses were about balancing the bones, which made hip openers like Pigeon easy and even. Now, when in line at the grocery store or the ATM, I think about where my weight is and move it the front of my heel. Not only does this relieve the boredom of waiting, it helps me stand tall too.

I had a great experience at the Yoga Journal Conference and highly recommend it. They have two more conferences this Spring:
Lake Geneva, WI (greater Chicago area): March 26-29
New York, NY: May 15-18

Here's the contents of my goodie bag:

Work It at Home With 8 Great DVDs

FitSugar — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 04:36:26 -0800

One thing I love about my job is getting to review all of the best (and worst) fitness DVDs out there. Since many of us are moving our workouts inside for wintertime, I've rounded up some of my recent faves. Whether you're getting ready for a wedding, getting into yoga, or just getting in shape, here are eight great fitness DVDs to check out.

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