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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.

Get in Gear: Plank Mats

FitSugar — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 11:00:00 PST

Say goodbye to plain, boring yoga mats, and hello to sassy and unique Plank Mats. This company brings humor into the yoga studio, and it's apparent when you see their two collections of mats. The Text Series ($65) has three styles to choose from. They say either "Bling," "Chocolate," or "Me." They're printed in metallic colors to bring a touch of sparkle to your yoga class.

If seeing words all over your mat might be a little too distracting, then check out the digital photo mats ($80). The one called Shag makes you feel like you're doing yoga on your living-room carpet. Now you'll always know where to put your hands. Want to check it out and see all the other unique designs? Then

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Techno Yoga Mat

FitSugar — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 15:45:00 PDT

You know something is cutting edge when it comes to your attention twice in less than 12 hours. Both geeksugar and sugar user tdamji are into this blending of uber contemporary technology and the ancient practice of yoga.

Designer Hui-Zong Chen has conceived of a yoga mat, made of an electronic paper screen that unfurls from a metal tube that is a stereo with cute little speakers housed at each end. The yoga mat can play streaming videos at the top of the mat, so you can follow a virtual yoga instructor through a series of poses. Better yet, you could “conference” in your friends and create a group class situation with participants in different parts of the globe.

Alas, this hi tech mat is still in the conceptual stage, but cool nonetheless. I love the idea of my Warrior I riding the technology wave, how about you?

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Yoga Props Explained: Blocks

FitSugar — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 02:30:00 PDT

When I walked into my first few yoga classes, I was intrigued by all the blocks neatly stacked against the wall next to the perfectly rolled-up mats. I soon came to realize that those different sized blocks had many useful purposes.

Blocks 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. I'm a huge fan of blocks, and here's why:

Blocks can be used when doing standing poses to bring the ground closer to your hands if you can't quite reach yet.
Blocks can also be used in restorative poses to support your bones and the weight of your body. Iyengar and Kripalu classes often use blocks to deeply open certain parts of the body, or for relaxation poses.

Want to see how else you can use yoga blocks? Then

Blocks can also make poses more comfortable, especially in seated poses. Sitting on a block will bring your hips above your knees, reducing pain if there is too much pressure on a certain muscle or joint.
Placing a block beyond your reach can help you stretch your muscles even further, increasing flexibility.
You can also use blocks to makes poses more challenging. I like to work on more advanced poses such as inversions, and the blocks help to keep my hands (my base) steady.

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Sneezy, Stuffy, Runny: Natural Cold Remedies to Do Before Bed

Jenny Sugar — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 15:27:03 PDT

If if you eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, get enough sleep, and wash your hands a bazillion times a day, you can still find yourself reaching for the tissues and cough drops. Luckily cold symptoms don't last too long, but here are some ways to get relief from your ails without popping pills or swallowing gross liquid.

Heat and Water
Before slipping into bed, take a hot shower. Make sure the bathroom door is closed and the fan switched off so you can breathe in as much steam as possible. Take a washcloth, run it under the hot water, place it on your face and gently massage your sinuses to loosen up mucus. If you have a neti pot, use that in the shower to drain your nasal passages. If you're weirded out by flushing warm salt water through your nose, use an over-the-counter saline spray.

Keep reading to learn three other natural ways to get cold relief before hitting the hay.

In-Room Fitness Amenities Offered at 5 Popular US Hotel Chains

Heather Dale — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 10:37:06 PDT

Hotel gyms are becoming so state-of-the-art nowadays that you really just need to show up in your shorts and running shoes and you will have access to all the amenities your workout routine could ever require. Hotel chains are even stepping it up a notch by offering in-room workout gear for guests, as an increasing amount of women are keen on exercising in the comfort of their own room - why compromise privacy and convenience?

Here's a rundown of the big hotel names that are bringing the workout to you, in the comfort and safety of your own hotel room.

Westin Hotels and Resorts: Various Westin locations across the country offer a program called RunWestin complete with a running concierge who leads guests on runs and even acts as a tour guide while pounding the pavement. This running group is available for all guests of varying running levels, and if you'd rather run solo, you can grab or download a provided trail map. Forget your shoes? No problem. Your Westin hotel just may be one of the properties that has teamed up with New Balance so you can borrow shoes, shorts, shirts, sports bras, and socks during your stay!

The Westin also offers the option of booking a guest room that comes with a treadmill, a stationary bike, dumbbells, fitness DVDs, resistance bands, and stability balls. So you never have to worry about leaving your room to work out!

Here are more hotels that offer in-room exercise gear.

Beyond the Basics: Inner Thigh Stretches

Michele Foley — Thu, 19 May 2011 01:15:43 PDT

After a weekend spent doing Pilates and ballet-inspired workouts, I experienced a type of muscle soreness that was entirely new to me - my inner thighs (aka adductors) were on fire. While I have a series of stretches that I do after every workout, I now realize that none of them really target this often overlooked area. If you've also been neglecting your inner thighs the way I have, here are a few stretches to get you started!

Basic Inner Thigh Stretch - Here's a favorite stretch of ours, especially for after a run since you can do it anywhere. This basic stretch will lengthen tight inner thighs safely and effectively.
Butterfly Pose - Also referred to as Baddha Konasana or Bound Angle pose, Butterly pose is one of my favorite ways to end a challenging yoga class. Not only does it get into the upper thigh area, but it's also a great hip-opener that stretches out the lower back, too.
Wide-Legged Forward Bend E - In ashtanga yoga, although there are technically four Wide-Legged Forward Bend poses, sometimes an instructor throws in a fifth, Wide-Legged Forward Bend E. This deep pose is great for stretching your hips, hamstrings, and inner thighs.
Frogger - Imagine how you'd look sprawled out like a frog, and you basically have the gist of this stretch. What's great about Frogger is that you can hang out in the pose for as long as you want to really give your inner thighs a good, deep stretch.
Wall Straddle - The wall is a great prop to use when stretching because it can either support the weight of your body or add resistance. Wall straddle is a great stretch that you can do at home, and it's easy to make the stretch as easy or intense as your body can handle. Just make sure to take your shoes off!
Side Lunge For Inner Thigh - It's always best to stretch warm muscles, but you can't always be in a place where it's easy to stretch on the ground. That's why this inner thigh stretch is awesome - you can stand up and do it anywhere.

Suffer from tight adductors? What's your favorite stretch?

4 Ways to Avoid Icky Gym Germs (and Look Cute!)

Self — Wed, 11 May 2011 04:49:14 PDT

We are pumped to share one of our fave stories from Self here on FitSugar!

Let's face it; it's tough to avoid germs when you're breaking a sweat. And it's even harder to keep bacteria at bay if you're sharing space with hundreds of other fitness fans at the gym or in the studio. What's an exerciser to do to stay healthy and safe? Clean up your act with the help of these antimicrobial tools that will make your workouts anything but a dirty job.

Carry your own gym towel. Your hands aren't the only ones reaching for a towel from the stack at the front desk. Toss your own in your bag instead. A good choice, Silver Sport's antimicrobial eco-friendly bamboo towel ($34.99). It's amazingly soft and it uses Terra Silver antimicrobial technology that mitigates 99.9% of surface bacteria. That means if your towel touches down on a dirty surface and then touches your hands/face you're still safe from the germs. Mine also went unwashed for days (oops left it in my gym bag) and remained surprisingly odor-free.
Bring your own equipment. Gym mats and props are dirty, so skip the shared equipment and bring your own. Go with Silver Sport's Silver Mat ($49.99). The nanosilver incorporated in the plush light-weight mat makes it the perfect companion for hot yoga or ab moves at the end of class. I love the Silver Shaper Pilates Roller Cover ($39.99) too. It's latex-free, protects from germs, and covers any standard foam roller. Great for massaging post-workout also. And thanks to their natural antimicrobial technology, a quick wipe down with a damp cloth keeps bacteria and odor in check on both. You can skip the harsh chemicals and sprays!

Check out more germ-busting finds after the break!

5 Eco-Friendly Yoga Mats That Bring Good Intention to Your Practice

Michele Foley — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 04:43:26 PDT

After yoga class it's common practice to clean up after yourself - whether that means picking up your own belongings or putting away props, none of us want to leave behind a mess. But if we buy a standard yoga mat made with PVC, that's exactly what we're doing. Long after our own practice had ended, our yoga mats will be clogging up landfills. I doubt this was anyone's intention with their practice.

Luckily, more mats are being made with eco-friendly materials like natural or recycled rubber, cotton, and jute. Admittedly, an eco-friendly mat may not be as sticky as a PVC mat, but they will recycle and are better for the planet. And don't worry about slipping during Downward Dog, these mats are made using techniques and materials that will ensure you stay put!

Mistakes You're Making in Yoga Class

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 03:08:16 PDT

People love yoga because it's such a welcoming form of movement - there's something for everyone. Yoga is all about embracing your body's limitations and honoring the light and joy within you. With that said, you're not going to feel very blissed out if you pull a hamstring trying to stick your leg behind your head. Here are some no-nos when it comes to attending a yoga class.

Not warming up: Even if the room is heated, the class should begin slowly, with postures and movements that gradually warm up your muscles. Sun salutations, Cat and Cow, circling the neck, wrists and ankles, and Child's Pose are all great to do at the beginning of class. If the instructor begins with challenging poses, arrive early so you can do five to 10 minutes of your own warmup.
Trying to be like Polly Pretzel in the corner: It's hard not to look around at the other students in your class, especially the ones who look like they know what they're doing, but don't try to emulate them perfectly. Everyone's body is different, so don't expect your pose to look like Susi Stretchy's.
Being competitive with yours truly: Just as you shouldn't compare yourself to others in the room, don't compete with yourself either. Honor your body's abilities at the present moment, and don't try to do what you did two years ago, or get as deep into a pose as you think you should. When you walk into a yoga class, leave your ego at the door.
Doing poses you're not ready for: I always encourage my students to try new poses, but not if your body isn't strong or flexible enough. When working on backbends, you know whether it's a better idea to do a beginner version like Cobra versus an advanced version like Scorpion.
Being too cool for props: If you're struggling to get your hand to the floor in Rotated Triangle, place your hand on a block instead. Don't think of props as wimpy or just for beginners. Blocks, straps, and bolsters can make poses feel more comfortable and stable, and sometimes you'll feel an even deeper stretch when you use them.

Keep reading to find out what other mistakes you might be making.