FitSugar

Yoga Video: Jump Through With Blocks

FitSugar — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PDT

The jump through vinyasa is one of the toughest moves to master in Yoga, but it's an important move to learn since it brings an amazing sense of fluidity to your practice. If you've tried it a million times, and are constantly kicking your hands or crashing your booty into the ground, then you are probably frustrated.

Here's a trick to make your attempts successful and to strengthen your core muscles, which are vital for mastering the jump through. Check out the video.

Want a detailed explanation of how to do this? Then

Begin in Down Dog holding onto a set of blocks. Keep those blocks stable as you hop both feet forward between your hands. Practice this a couple of times, working on making it all the way in between the blocks. It's very important to work on engaging your abs and pelvic floor to slow down the jump, so you can land as softly as possible (without making a sound).
When you're ready, this time instead of landing on the soles of your feet, you want to land on the tops of your feet. All your soft and slow jumping practice will come in handy here, because if you land too hard, it'll hurt your feet. As you jump from Down Dog, engage your core, bend your knees, point through your toes and land on the tops of your feet ever so gently. To get back to Down Dog, just press into the tops of your feet and pop back (that's my favorite part).
Once you've got that down, this time as you jump forward, you want to cross at your ankles as you land on the tops of the feet. Continue working on engaging your core muscles, which will help to slow this move down and give you more control when you land. Try to keep your knees as close together as possible since eventually they'll need to fit between your arms. Practice this a few times.
Now you're ready for the jump through. You're still going to cross at your ankles and point through your toes, but you're going to jump passed your hands and land in a seated position on your bum. Take it slowly at first because it doesn't take much to get you through. To get back to Down Dog, just bend your knees into your chest, cross at your ankles, press into the blocks to lift your hips off the ground and jump back to Chaturanga (4-Limbed Staff) or straight to Down Dog.

Have fun practicing this jump through. Not only will it work your core and stretch out your hamstrings, but all that jumping will work your heart as well.

Yoga Block Can Be More Than Just Blocks

FitSugar — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 14:30:00 PDT

I am a huge fan of using blocks when practicing yoga. They are often used by beginners and those with injuries to help them modify certain postures, but they are also used by experienced and flexible yogis as tools to get deeper into poses.

Blocks come in many shapes, sizes, and they can be made out of many different materials including cork, foam and bamboo. If you're not sure where to begin, get a 4 inch yoga block and start with that. Once you learn ways to use it, you can figure out of you need to add more blocks to your home studio.

Here's a basic list of the different kinds you can get.

Hugger Mugger Foam Wedge	1 Inch Foam Yoga Bricks
2 Inch Foam Yoga Bricks	3 inch Yoga Bricks
4 Inch Yoga Blocks	Shoulder Stand Foam Block
Hugger Mugger Cork Block	Hugger Mugger Bamboo Block

Fit Find Follow Up: Yoga Props for Home Practice

FitSugar — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 14:05:00 PST

A couple of days ago I asked you all to help me Fit Find yoga props for my home practice. Since I need a block, a strap and a new mat I thought you all could help.

Here's my favorites, from Moni B. She found some soothing sage green props and threw in a matching bag for the mat. Love that.

View 4 Photos ›

If you are looking for some yoga props yourself, you should check out all the props.

If you want to know more about Fit Finds you should read geeksugar's excellent explanation of our bookmarking system.

Fit Find for Yoga Props for Home Practice

FitSugar — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 13:00:00 PST

I don't know about you, but since the new year I have definitely been increasing my home yoga practice. I have realized I need a few props to help me out with some of the more difficult poses. So let's go Fit Finding for a new yoga mat, block and a strap.

Here are a few online stores that might just have what we're looking for:
Yoga.com
Half Moon Yoga Props
Mat Mats Mats

Be sure to tag your finds with the phrase yoga props for home practice.

If you've never done a Fit Find, let me tell you it is so easy and fun. Just read geeksugar's bookmarking explanation and you'll be all set.

Namaste.

Workout Essentials That Aren't Just For Yogis

Heather Dale — Thu, 12 May 2011 10:26:02 PDT

The first time you walked into a yoga studio you probably saw a wall of blocks like the ones above, and a few of these foam cylindrical tubes lying around too. I'll admit it, at first I didn't quite know what purpose either of these items served. But after taking a few classes that incorporated both blocks and rollers, I was instantly hooked! What's great about both yoga blocks ($15) and foam rollers ($20) is the fact that they are not only for Pilates and yoga classes (although they are superb with both), but they can help you in your everyday workout routines as well. Keep reading to find out why.

Yoga Blocks Come in All Shapes and Sizes

Jenny Sugar — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 12:52:33 PDT

Yoga blocks aren't just for the injured or inflexible. Since these lightweight gems offer stability in both beginner poses like Triangle to more advanced moves like Forearm Stand, yogis of all abilities find blocks useful. Blocks help to deepen stretches and allow you to hold poses longer, helping to increase flexibility. If you're confused by all the different shapes and sizes, here's an explanation. So the next time you need a little support, you'll know which block to grab.

Headstand? Ugh. How to Stop Hating Inversions

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 15:18:56 PDT

As beings who walk with their heads stacked over their feet, it's no surprise that going upside down in your yoga class scares the om out of you. Fear of falling, neck or other pains, and the sheer oddness of seeing the world from a whole new perspective can make inversions lowest on your list of faves. If you get upset whenever your teacher suggests headstands, forearm stands, or handstands, here are some tips to help you start loving these beneficial inversions.

Get Buff
When you first learned to walk, you practiced leaning on objects and walking along furniture to build your leg strength before you were able to walk upright on your own. The same needs to happen if you want to hold yourself in an upside-down position. Since our upper bodies aren't used to supporting the weight of our lower bodies, it's important to strengthen your core, upper back, shoulders, arms, and even the muscles in your hands and wrists to feel strong and stable enough to take a stab at a headstand or handstand. Target these muscles on your mat by doing these upper-body toning yoga poses, like Sage and Crow, and using these arm-strengthening tips during your next class.

Move Your Mat
It's perfectly commendable to tackle inversions in front of a wall and/or with a spotter, so don't be bashful about pulling your mat up to a wall or asking your instructor for a hand. This will relieve your anxiety about falling, which is often a huge obstacle that prevents people from trying inversions in the first place. Once you have some experience with safely holding yourself upside down without falling, you'll have the confidence to try it out on your own.

Keep on reading for more tips on conquering inversions.

Yoga No-Nos For Pregos

Jenny Sugar — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 10:33:23 PDT

Fun issues like nausea, fatigue, shortness of breath, and the need to hit the ladies' room - three different times during a workout! - makes it difficult to keep up with a regular exercise routine when pregnant. If you're expecting, taking up yoga (or continuing to go) is wonderful because not only does it alleviate some of these annoying discomforts, your body will stay strong and flexible. No prenatal yoga class offered in your area? Take a regular class, but be sure to avoid the following during your practice.

Deep forward bends: Folding forward can compress blood vessels and nerves that connect to your uterus. Keep things flowing by separating your legs like in this Wide-Legged Forward Bend to make space at the top of the thighs.
Deep twists: This can also decrease circulation, so always twist in an open position as in this pose, not deeply across the knee.
Lying on your back: Once you hit the second trimester, avoid lying on your back for extended periods of time (as in Savasana). The increased weight of your uterus interferes with the flow of blood and nutrients to your developing baby. It can also aggravate lower back pain, heartburn, and elevate blood pressure. Use blocks and bolsters to prop your torso up instead of lying flat, and whenever possible find ways to stretch the same muscles while you're standing, sitting, on your hands and knees, or when lying on your side.
Poses that work your abs: As your belly expands, it's difficult to support the weight with your rectus abdominus (the muscles you see when someone has a six-pack), so you use your obliques (ab muscles on the side of your belly). Overly-strong obliques can pull your abdominal muscles apart, causing a condition known as diastasis. Avoid risk by skipping poses that target your core, especially your obliques - worry about getting your abs back in shape after the baby arrives.

Keep reading for more prenatal yoga no-nos.

New Mom Hilary Duff Hits the Gym 1.5 Weeks After Giving Birth

Jenny Sugar — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 13:18:03 PDT

Hilary Duff gave birth to Luca Cruz less than two weeks ago, but is already exercising to get her prepregnancy body back. She hit the gym Saturday and tweeted, "20 minutes on the elliptical seems like an eternity!!! What the hell…"

Though many obstetricians recommend holding off on exercise until six weeks postpartum (longer for a C-section), every woman is different. Here are some workout tips for brand-new moms.

Check with your doctor before exercising: How ready you are depends on how well you're healing. Most doctors recommend avoiding exercise until the bleeding stops, but may give the green light for low-intensity workouts, such as short walks or stretching.
Start off slow: Don't expect your body to run 30 minutes straight like it did before you were pregnant. Aside from the stress of the actual birth, lack of sleep and low energy levels associated with nursing offer new moms little get-up-and-go. Start with low-impact exercise like walking, yoga, or swimming. A 10-minute walk around the block every day for a week (or longer) will feel like plenty. Gradually increase the intensity and length of your workouts as your strength and stamina increases.
Invest in some baby gear: If you find it emotionally difficult to leave your baby, exercise with them. There are hundreds of baby carriers out there to enable you to walk with your baby. I'm a huge fan of the Moby Wrap, since it feels the most supportive on a new mom's often-sore back. If you're not into wearing your baby, or a C-section won't allow for it while you're healing, buy a jogging stroller (walk at first and run when you're doctor gives the OK). Postnatal fitness classes are another great option, not only for exercise, but as a way to connect with other new moms.

Keep reading for more workout tips for brand-new moms.

Maximize Your Push-Ups With These Tips

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 11:27:14 PDT

Tank-top and strapless-dress season is almost here. If you're not ready to bare your arms and upper back, drop and give me 20! Push-ups are one of the most effective upper body exercises, but the traditional move, whether with straight legs or knees on the floor, only offers muscles so much. Here are some ways to add zest to your push-ups and get more out of this basic exercise.

Use an exercise ball: Instead of the floor, place your hands on a large gym ball. The instability of the ball means constantly shifting and readjusting your body to remain in a stable plank position. Having to do this will target your core and offer a greater challenge to the muscles in your upper body.
Change your hand position: Traditionally the hands are slightly wider than shoulder-width distance apart, and the elbows come out to the sides as you lower. Mix it up by walking one hand in a few inches, and as you lower, that elbow bends back behind you while the other elbow bends out to the side as it normally would. Or place both hands out wider to target the chest and shoulders. To work the triceps, place your hands together below the chest.

Keep reading to learn more ways to make push-ups more challenging.