FitSugar

DVD Review: Daily Energy - Vinyasa Flow Yoga

FitSugar — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:00:50 -0800

It's no lie that Shiva Rea is one of my yoga idols. Considered one of the best Vinyasa yoga instructors due to her calming energy and challenging sequences of postures, Shiva has created a new DVD. You know I was excited to try it.

Titled Daily Energy - Vinyasa Flow Yoga ($20), the new video contains seven 20-minute sessions to encourage a little time on the mat every day. Shiva believes a little daily yoga is more beneficial than occasional long and intense practices. The DVD is as flexible as its creator - you can practice for 20 minutes or longer by combining a few sequences for a longer yoga session. She has also created pre-set practices for you to experiment with if you're looking for longer combinations, with some practices being grounding and relaxing and others uplifting and energetic. Depending on your mood, you can choose which session will benefit you for the day.

I love that the video includes short yoga workouts, so you can always fit in a quick, yet complete practice. It's so much better than popping in a full-length video and following along for only part of the series. This video is great to do after a run or bike ride. The unique and fluid sequences strengthened my arms, core, and legs, but also gave me a good stretch. Shiva never lets me down and is always coming up with challenging variations of postures I've never seen before. Beginners and seasoned yogis will both love this DVD.

To see a clip of this video, read more.

New to Yoga

Fit Community — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:00:19 -0800

FitSugar reader dresstoimpress posted this in the Yoga Stretch and Tell group. Can you offer some advice?

Hello! I just joined this group so this is my first time posting! I'm planning on signing up for yoga at a studio nearby. It's inexpensive and they offer a lot of beginning classes as well as classes for all levels. I have done a few yoga DVDs in the past and I enjoyed it, but I never got very far. What can I expect from a yoga class? I am a little nervous about my ability. It is just basic yoga from what I understand. Is it difficult to keep up? What should I wear? What if I can never do the stand-on-your-head poses? Thank you!

If you love chatting about all things yoga, then post your thoughts and questions to the Yoga Stretch and Tell group. If you want to see your post featured on FitSugar, then private message me here to pitch your ideas.

Why Runners Should Do Ashtanga Yoga

FitSugar — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:55:54 -0800

As a runner, I feel like it's one of the best forms of exercise. It's fairly inexpensive, I can do it anywhere, and it strengthens and tones my legs and booty. It also works my heart and lungs, increasing my endurance for other forms of exercise like biking and swimming, and it prevents me from gaining weight. With all those benefits, running also has some disadvantages. My hamstrings and hips are much tighter, which sometimes causes pain in my lower back. I'm sure you fellow runners can relate, and although stretching can definitely help, let's be honest - I know most of us aren't stretching as long or as often as we should.

That's where yoga comes in. Ashtanga yoga is the perfect complement to your running routine for so many reasons.

To find out why, read more.

Ashtanga yoga classes are an hour and a half long, and in 90 minutes you stretch every part of your body. The room is also heated, so you're at less risk for pulling a muscle.
Primary Series is the first series you will learn in an Ashtanga yoga class, and many of the poses (like these) target your hamstrings, hips, and lower back - the exact areas runners need to stretch.
It's extremely challenging, and since many runners are tough and like to push themselves physically, Ashtanga yoga is a better fit than other types like Kripalu or Jivamukti.
Throughout the 90-minute practice, you do Sun Salutations and vinyasas, which strengthen the upper body. This is very important since running primarily works your legs. Strength imbalances between your upper and lower body can make you more prone to injury.
Yoga also strengthens your core, improving your posture when running.
Once you learn Sun Salutation B in class, it's a great running warmup.
Connecting your breath with your movements is essential when doing Ashtanga, and it's something you can practice on your runs too. By concentrating on each inhale and exhalation, my runs become something of a meditation.
The sequence in an Ashtanga yoga class is the same no matter who the instructor or where the class. So if you're traveling, you can always pop into a studio and you'll be doing the same order of poses you'd be doing at your home studio.

Are you a runner who already practices yoga? Then I have a poll for you in my Yoga Stretch and Tell group.

Strike a Yoga Pose: Intense Side Stretch

FitSugar — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:00:26 -0800

For all you runners and bikers with tight hamstrings, this is the pose for you. It's one of my favorite stretches to target the backs of the legs, but it'll also give you a nice stretch on the sides of your body, as well as your chest and shoulders.

Sanskrit Name: Parsvottanasana
English Translation: Intense Side Stretch Pose
Also Called: Scissor

To learn how to do this pose read more.

Stand with both feet together in Tadasana. Step your left foot directly behind you about two feet.
Bring your arms behind you, bend your elbows and bring your palms together in reverse Namaste position (reverse prayer). Raise your hands up between your shoulder blades as far as you can. Pull your elbows behind you to press your palms together firmly.

Inhale to lengthen your spine, and as you exhale, fold at your waist. Keep both legs straight and lower your torso as far as you can, eventually resting it on your right leg. If it's easy, touch your chin or forehead to your shin.
Hold here for five deep breaths, then engage your leg muscles and inhale to lift your torso up. Repeat this pose with the left leg forward.

Have any burning questions about yoga? Then post them to the Yoga Stretch and Tell group.

Should Yoga Be an Olympic Sport?

FitSugar — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 04:30:06 -0700

When I first started practicing yoga, my teachers made it clear that it wasn't a competition. So what if Peggy Pretzel over there could do Handstand Scorpion in her very first class? It's not your ability to do the poses that's important, but rather your intentions and emotions while on the mat. I can certainly om to that. But wait, what's this? Last weekend was the seventh Annual Asana Yoga Competition in New York City. Yoga competition? Sounds crazy, I know, but it's real. See for yourself in the video below.

Competitions like these are part of the movement pushing to have yoga included as an Olympic event by the year 2020. Yogis would be judged on their body proportions, grace, composure, and execution of postures. People will either see this as a brilliant idea to encourage men and women to get serious about their yoga practices, or as an oxymoron. So what's your opinion of competitive yoga and the notion of it becoming an Olympic event?

Crave Worthy: Jill Malek Yoga Mats

FitSugar — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:00:51 -0700

Sometimes I want to feel pretty when I'm sweating it out at my Pilates mat class. Since I usually keep my workout clothes pretty basic, I'm always on the lookout for a unique bag or mat. I was excited to find out that Brooklyn-based designer Jill Malek teamed up with the eco-friendly company YogaMatic for a new line of mats. Like all YogaMatic mats, the Jill Malek series is made from sustainable, recycled rubber that is 100 percent biodegradable, and a percentage of the price ($85) goes to Global Green, a nonprofit focused on preventing climate change.

This is the first time YogaMatic has teamed with an independent designer, and it's easy to see why they picked Malek. The designs are based from Malek's Frequencies wallpaper collection - nature-inspired designs with repetitive patterns. I know it sounds silly, but the designs get me excited about taking a yoga or Pilates class.

The mats measure 72-by-24 inches with a thickness of 1/4-inch and also come with a tote bag.

Strike a Yoga Pose: Staff

FitSugar — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:00:49 -0700

Some yoga poses require flexibility like Tortoise, some are all about your strength like Scissor Legs Side Crow, and some demand extreme balance like Headstand Scorpion. Then there are poses that don't call for much but your stillness and attention to breath.

Sanskrit Name: Dandasana
English Translation: Staff Pose
Also Called: Stick

To learn how to do this simple pose read more.

Sit on your mat with both legs together so they're straight out in front of you.
Place your palms flat on the floor beside your hips, and actively press them into the ground. Keep both arms as straight as possible, and lengthen your spine, imagining it is a sturdy staff or cane someone would use to walk with. Roll your shoulders away from your ears and tuck your chin. Engage your leg muscles and flex your feet.
Stay here for five deep breaths, keeping your belly still and only breathing into your ribs. Then release.

Have any burning questions about yoga? Then post them to the Yoga Stretch and Tell group.

Affordable Yoga Clothes Under $40

FitSugar — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:00:14 -0700

FitSugar reader TxYogi posted a question in the Yoga Stretch and Tell group. She asked: "I love the look and fit of yoga gear from lululemon and Hard Tails, but I just can't bring myself to pay so much for clothes I'll probably do nothing but sweat in. Can anyone recommend some great fitting and great looking yoga gear at reasonable prices?"

I am wearing two of my favorite items in the photo on the left and these pieces are actually each under $20 - proving that there are deals to be had. For the details on these items and more, check out this slideshow. If you have any suggestions, please be sure to share them here.

View Slideshow ›

Strike Yoga Pose: Locust

FitSugar — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 08:00:08 -0700

We've talked about some extremely challenging variations of Locust pose such as Inverted Locust where you're balancing on your shoulders and chin, and Locust Scorpion where your feet are touching your head. Now let's take it down a notch and do plain old Locust pose. It's a great way to tone the muscles in the back of your body. It may look relaxing, but you'll definitely feel this one working, and it's a great complement to ab exercises.

Sanskrit Name: Salambhasana A
English Translation: Locust Pose

To learn how to do this pose read more.

Lie down on a mat on your belly, with your legs together. Place your arms by your sides so your palms are facing up.
As you inhale, lift your legs, head, and upper body off the floor. Your hands remain on the floor for support.
As you breathe, try to relax your shoulders and the muscles in your booty. Extend the crown of your head away from your toes, lengthening as much as you can through your spine.
Stay for five breaths, and then release back to the mat.

Strike a Yoga Pose: Balancing Butterfly

FitSugar — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 10:00:16 -0700

If you're a runner, chances are your feet could use some extra love. Here's a tranquil pose that will stretch your arches and toes like Toe Breaker stretch, but will also open your hips and challenge your sense of balance.

To learn how to do this pose and see another variation read more.

Begin standing on your mat with both feet together. Bend your knees and squat down, placing your hands on the floor in front of your feet.
Turn your knees out to the sides, keeping the balls and heels of your feet together. When you're ready, bring your hands to your knees as shown below.

You can stay here, or bring your hands together in front of your heart in prayer position. Hold here, balancing for five deep breaths. To release, bring your knees together and stand up.

This is one of my favorite balancing poses. What's yours? Share it in FitSugar's Yoga Stretch and Tell Group.