poses-related stories
Yoga Journal
If you decide to keep a yoga journal, you'll be able to track changes in your flexibility and strength. If you're able to hold a yoga position you had previously failed at or if you can hold a tricky pose longer, you'll be able to take pride in your successes.You'll also be able to better understand your state of mind before, during and after your practice.
Remember, yoga is about your improvement, not whether you're in better shape that the yogi next to you.Keeping a yoga journal might also encourage you to stay with yoga on difficult days when you can't hold even a basic yoga position for a long time -- just like keeping a food diary might help you adhere to your weight-loss plan.
To create a great yoga journal:
1. Sign up for a yoga class or get some yoga dvds.
More Yoga Terms Defined from That's Fit:
Ashtana Yoga
Hatha Yoga
Kundalini Yoga
Power Yoga
Prenatal Yoga
Strengthen With Yoga
Yoga Benefits
Yoga for Weight Loss
Vinyasa Yoga: What is it?
Cat-cow is an example of a vinyasa, where the yogi moves between the cat pose to the cow pose when inhaling or exhaling. Another example is a sun salutation. Each movement in the series is done on the inhalation and exhalation.
A "vinyasa" can describe a series of three poses. If your yoga teacher says to move through your vinyasa, you will go through plank (using core strength), chaturanga (hover and lower slowly to the ground) and upward facing dog (a big back bend).
More Yoga Terms Defined from That's Fit:
Ashtana Yoga
Hatha Yoga
Kundalini Yoga
Power Yoga
Prenatal Yoga
Ashtanga Yoga
A typical Ashtanga yoga session moves through a series of postures (asanas) which are linked together through movement and breathing techniques, allowing for a flowing structure to the practice. Ashtanga yoga typically begins with a number of sun salutations -- there are two different types, A and B -- and many of the movements are linked together by a vinyasa, a flowing movement meant to generate energy and cleanse the body. Traditional Ashtanga yoga can involve 75 different postures, including standing poses, seated poses, inversions and backbends, and can last up to two hours. Throughout the practice, participants use a deep breathing technique called Ujjayi breath, which channels air through the back of the throat.
Ashtanga yoga is best practiced in a teacher-led environment, but because of its structured approach it can be done independently by experienced yogis. Ashtanga yoga is the basis for power yoga, a fast-moving athletic variation of the traditional practice.
More Yoga Terms Defined from That's Fit:
Power Yoga
Kundalini Yoga
Hatha Yoga
Yoga? Or One Too Many Drinks?
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| Photo: Teecycle Tim, Flickr |
Yoga is wonderful for strength and flexibility, not to mention what an awesome stress reliever it is. But it does open itself up to a fair share of jokes. If you're looking for a quick laugh, take a look at Fun Tuna's post Drunk People Yoga Positions. Don't worry, yoga, we only poke fun because we love you. And, hey, maybe a few extra drinks is the answer to finally being able to hold Plow Pose.
If you're looking for more information about yoga -- sober yoga, that is -- check out yoga on AOL Health.
Take a Lesson from This 83-Year-Old Yoga Teacher
Yes, 50 is the new 40 and 70 is the new 60 and so on, but can you imagine carrying on your fitness routine well into your 80s? Joanne Good from the Daily Mail can, particularly since her 83-year-old mother is her role model, her motivator, her ... yoga teacher. Yes, someone just shy of 85 might possibly be more fit than you. Scary? Nah -- inspirational is more like it. Yoga is the kind of activity you can do no matter what your age. It's one of those things that you can take at your own pace, and if one of the poses is too difficult, you can modify it or just move on. Yoga can be challenging or relaxing -- it's up to you. But no matter how you practice, you can't deny the good it does your body.
So what are you waiting for? Get yourself to a yoga class, pronto. And, more importantly, keep it up.
This Desperate Housewife likes to get hot
Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment
Felicity Huffman is no stranger to fitness. She's a fan of running and has participated in triathlons. But Huffman has a new fitness love -- she's getting addicted to Bikram yoga. The 45-year-old Desperate Housewives' star says "As you get older, you get stiffer. Doing yoga has shown me that flexibility is as important as strength." Bikram yoga is nicknamed hot yoga and for good reason. When following along with Bikram's series of 26 poses, you'll be doing so in a room set to 105 degrees Fahrenheit (some classes may not set it quite so high). The idea is that your body is more flexible in heat, and the hot atmosphere warms your muscles more quickly. In addition, it's said to reduce the risk of injury, promote sweating, and release toxins from the body.
Fit Beauty: Yoga moves that'll help you shape your way to beauty
Is there anything yoga can't do? It tones, it strengthens, it stretches -- according to this past post by Rigel it may also help you find love (well for those who manage to avoid 'inappropriate yoga guy'). I was musing earlier today during my walk to work about all of the benefits I noticed when I was practicing yoga on a regular basis (I admit that for various reasons most of us who fall off the bandwagon would understand, it has been a while since I've been to a class). I remember feeling more limber, more energetic yet relaxed, and just generally had an enhanced feeling of well-being.
I began to wonder if yoga can also make you look good. I mean beyond the obvious tightening benefits, are there any yoga moves that will improve the shape of your body or perhaps improve the overall look of your face. Every time I used to leave yoga class I noticed that all of the participants, myself included, had a lovely glow about them. Was that just due to the excessive heat, sweating and exertion or could there be more to it?
Is yoga fun?
Flash back to my first yoga experience. I signed up for a 4-month, once-a-week yoga class at my gym. Most of my classmates were either middle-aged or a senior while I was a spry 20-something. For this reason, my first class was pretty mortifying -- I was the youngest in the class and yet I was the one who couldn't hold the poses. Downward dog was tedious, painful even. I couldn't touch my toes. I felt like I had the body of an 80 year old.
And for the next few months, the classes only got marginally better.
Yoga at work: Do it at your desk
I recently returned to a desk job after a few months on extended holiday. During my vacation, I ate and drank pretty much what I wanted but didn't gain any weight because I walked everywhere (easily 3 hours a day). Things changed though, as soon as I got back to work where I sit in front of a computer all day. Without modifying my diet, I've managed to put on more than a few pounds, as my only exercise is typing.
It can be really difficult though to find the time to fit in exercise when you work 8 hours a day, especially if there are no gym facilities in or near your office. I think this is a shame because I find that daily exercise makes me feel more alert and awake throughout the work day.
So I was pretty excited to find this page that has a series of tips and links to sourches which teach you how to do yoga at your desk. Stretches can be done through 2, 15-minute breaks or over a half-hour at lunch. Yoga poses will help you stretch and relax, and work out the stiffness that can result after hours at a desk. The only catch? Many moves are done at your desk, so make sure to let your boss and co-workers know what you're up to so that you don't weird them out.
How to practice yoga from the comfort of home
Have you always been curious about yoga but can't afford the price of a beginner's class? Or are you shy and too nervous to take your first steps in a studio surrounded by a group of strangers? While yoga is all about doing your personal best and not judging anyone else's practice, it can still be intimidating to try those twisty poses for the first time among a crowd. And for some, classes just aren't an affordable option.
The good news is that it is still possible to get into yoga from the comfort of your own home. There is a huge variety of books, videos and DVDs on the practice that can either be bought or taken out from the library. The Internet is a great resource as well, as there are many sites that break down poses into simple steps, which can help you ensure that you are doing them correctly (one of the drawbacks of learning without an instructor is there is no one to help you keep bad habits from developing). For some other ideas on how to get started at home, take a look here. Namaste.
Stressed? Depressed? These Yoga moves will help
Yoga is intended to help with both physical and mental health so I don't think too many people are surprised to hear that yoga can help improve your mood. Whether you're feeling a little depressed, bored, stressed out, or even insecure before a big date or important event there are poses that will help you combat those emotions and help you get into a more positive frame of mind. And there's real physical evidence to back up the effects -- by holding your body in certain positions you can stimulate glands that release mood altering chemicals. Move #3 here I come!
