Yoga Stretch and Tell Group

Check It Out: Downloadable Yoga Videos

FitSugar — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 03:00:23 -0800

We can't always get to a yoga class because of our busy schedules, plus hitting up a studio every week can get pricey, so Yoga Journal has a new solution. The company known for its amazing magazine, calendar, and yoga conferences just launched the Yoga Journal Download Center. You can choose from hundreds of yoga videos, download them to your computer or MP3 player, and practice anywhere your yogic heart desires. These aren't dinky little five minute videos we're talking about. The site offers 20- to 60-minute videos designed by Yoga Journal, as well as mainstream yoga DVDs led by well-known yoga instructors.

Here's a list of a few I think you'd like:

These videos are reasonably priced at about $6 to $20 a download. You can bring your iPod to the gym or on a trip, or follow along on your computer at home. It's a simple way to ensure that yoga is a part of your life without breaking the bank.

To see a video clip of the Shiva Rea video mentioned above, read more.

Gear Review: Beyond Yoga Spring Line

FitSugar — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 10:00:42 -0800

Although it may still be chilly or snowy in your neck of the woods, it's March, and that means Spring is not too far away. You can celebrate with some new Spring-inspired fitness gear in bright colors and uniquely fresh designs, like these from Beyond Yoga. The company sent me some pieces from its new Spring Collection: a Supplex Shirred Cami ($73) in Blue Ice, a Supplex Long Curve Jacket ($124), also in Blue Ice, and a pair of Supplex Knee Length Leggings ($66) in Graphite. My new outfit looks so adorable, and it feels so supportive and easy to move in. I was instantly inspired to exercise the minute I slipped it on.

I know these items seem pricey, but the Supplex fabric feels so much more luxurious than less expensive fitness gear. It's unbelievably soft and on the thicker side, so it's not at all see-through and is very durable. I've had clothes from Beyond Yoga for a while, and even with frequent sweat sessions and washings, the colors and material look exactly the same as the first day I wore them - really! These are the kinds of clothes you'll enjoy for years, and that makes it worth the dough. Check out the other new items in the Spring line when you read more.

View 9 Photos ›

Tried any new fitness gear or clothes lately? Share your thoughts about it in the Good Gear/Bad Gear community group.

Strike a Yoga Pose: Camel

FitSugar — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 09:00:41 -0800

After hunching forward blogging all day my body craves backbends. Luckily for me, Camel pose is a staple in a yoga practice. Do this pose regularly to increase flexibility in your lower back, shoulders, and hip flexors but to also strengthen your quads and abs.

Sanskrit Name: Ustrasasana
English Translation: Camel Pose

Curious to know how to get into this pose? Then read more.

Kneel at the front of your mat, keeping your knees under your hips. Look back and make sure your shins, ankles, and feet are parallel to each other.
Put both hands on your hips, and gently arch back, just beginning to warm up your lower back and quads.
When you're ready, reach your right hand back toward your right heel, and then your left toward your left heel. Your hands are there for balancing support, so don't lean all your weight into them. Try to shift weight forward into your knees, which will also increase the stretch you feel in your belly and chest.
Lower your head behind you and stay here for five breaths.
Come up slowly and sit on your heels. Lean forward, releasing your lower back into Child's Pose.

Do you love talking about all things yoga? Then you'll definitely want to check out the Yoga Stretch and Tell group.

Strike a Yoga Pose: Arching Low Lunge

FitSugar — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 13:30:23 -0800

My hip flexors are one area of my body that could always use some extra attention. Here's a lunge variation, similar to Warrior 1, but with your back knee resting on the floor, you can really increase the stretch for the muscles on the front part of your back thigh. Arching your spine backward also offers a great stretch for the abs and shoulders; not to mention it strengthens your core and increases flexibility in your spine.

Sanskrit Name: Anjaneyasana
English Translation: Low Lunge Pose
Also Called: Arching Low Lunge or Grounded Warrior 1

Curious to know how to get into this pose? Then read more.

Begin in Downward Facing Dog. Step your right foot forward between your hands, making sure your knee is directly above your ankle. Lower your left knee to the floor.
Lift your torso and raise your arms straight into the air. Allow your hips to press down toward the floor to increase the stretch in your right hip and left hip flexor. From here, arch back, gazing at the ceiling or toward your hands.
Stay here for five deep breaths and then repeat this pose with the left knee forward.

Do you love talking about all things yoga? Then you'll definitely want to check out the Yoga Stretch and Tell group.

Gear Review: Gaiam All-Grip Yoga Brick

FitSugar — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 09:00:26 -0800

One great thing about going to a studio for a yoga class is that there are so many great props you can use, like straps, bolsters, blankets, chairs, and blocks. I've seen and used just about every kind of yoga prop out there and love that they help assist me in correct alignment, or help me to get a deeper stretch. Then Gaiam sent me this unique All-Grip Yoga Brick (price reduced to $12) and I thought, "Now that's something I've never seen before."

The hole, shaped liked an infinity symbol, in the center is a brilliant idea. Not only does it make the block lighter than a regular foam or cork block, but the opening is actually ergonomically shaped, making it easier to hold on to. I felt more stable and in control when using this purple brick, which meant I could hold poses longer and go deeper into my practice. I also noticed that sometimes when I place my palm flat on a regular block, and put pressure down, I feel pain in my wrist. Gripping this block completely alleviated that discomfort and was very comfortable to use. If you love working with props while doing yoga, you'll definitely want to try this innovatively designed block. I bet it will change the way you practice.

Speak Up: Has Doing Yoga Made You More Emotional?

FitSugar — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 12:00:17 -0800

Stop the presses! Spencer Pratt has traded in his bad boy image for prayer beads, crystals, and is joining his wife for some Kundalini yoga. Whether he's had a true Kundalini awakening is up for debate, but something is going on with his chakras - the once angry man has shared with the Twitterverse that he's crying every day.

"I have proven that Kundalini yoga taps your feminine power in your body because I find myself crying now at least once a day!"

While many people look to yoga as their mainstay exercise, the practice is rooted in the philosophical idea that our body movement, breathing, and meditative state can bring us closer to enlightenment. Compared to other practices, Kundalini does fall into the more spiritual realm of yoga and could explain why Spencer is crying so much. Kundalini is said to be untapped energy that sits at the base of our spine - the poses are done in conjunction with a specific breath to awaken the energy, which then rises upward through the body awakening the seven chakras.

I have several friends who say yoga has changed their lives for the better - they feel more open and vulnerable, have a new self awareness, and don't seem to sweat the small stuff. Although I'm dubious of anyone that shows up to a Las Vegas club holding onto a huge crystal (ahem, see picture . . .), I'm all for anyone using yoga to better themselves.

Have you also tapped into your emotional side since practicing yoga?

Strike a Yoga Pose: Bound Extended Side Angle

FitSugar — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 12:00:57 -0800

Although yoga poses vary between different types of yoga, Extended Side Angle is a basic standing posture you'll see in most any class you take. This pose strengthens your legs, and makes you feel bold, yet relaxed. We've already tried the variation of this pose known as Twisting Extended Side Angle, so here's another variation you can try. I like this one especially because it opens the shoulders and chest.

Sanskrit Name: Baddha Utthita Parsvakonasana
English Translation: Bound Extended Side Angle Pose
Also Called: Bound Side Angle

To find out how to get into it read more.

Begin on your mat in Downward Facing Dog pose. Step your right foot forward between your hands, and rise up into Warrior 1.
Open your hips, arms, and chest into Warrior 2 pose.
Lower your right shoulder as low as you can in beside your right inner thigh, and reach your right arm underneath your hamstring. Reach your left arm around your lower back, and bind, holding your left wrist with your right hand.

Draw your upper shoulder back as far as you can, and gaze into the left corners of your eyes. Try to stack your shoulders, and lengthen through your spine as you draw your belly in.
Stay here for five breaths. Then come back to Down Dog and repeat this pose on the left side.

If you love yoga, you're not alone. Meet other yogis in the Yoga Stretch and Tell community group.

Yoga Three Ways: Hamstrings

FitSugar — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 08:00:38 -0800

If you've taken a few yoga classes, you'll find that depending on the instructor and the style of yoga, some poses are easy and relaxing, and some are better saved for those with incredible strength and flexibility. That's part of the beauty of yoga - there's a pose fit for everyone's needs and abilities.

Since the backs of our legs are a common tight area, here are three ways you can stretch those hamstrings. Head to Knee A will be the easiest, and allow you to focus on stretching one leg at a time. The middle pose, Intense Side Stretch, is a bit more challenging, and the last pose, Split, is meant for those with very flexible hamstrings. Choose the pose that best suits you, or follow the entire sequence, moving from easiest to hardest.

Head to Knee A

Intense Side Stretch

Split

If yoga is one of your favorite forms of fitness, then check out the Yoga Stretch and Tell group.

Singing Meets Yoga Circa 1944

FitSugar — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 03:30:53 -0800

I tend to think that yoga became a fitness trend in the late '90s, but these three yoginis were doing it way back when. Known as The Ross Sisters, this trio was big in the 1940s. They're adorable and boy-oh-boy are they bendy. They're also incredibly strong - check out how they can hold Forearm Stand Scorpion with what appears to be no effort at all. Although they were probably considered more contortionists or acrobats back then, many of the tricks they do you'd recognize in a yoga class. Watching this video makes me want to get myself to an Ashtanga class stat! What about you?

Class Act: Vajra Yoga

FitSugar — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 12:00:22 -0800

The yoga studio where I teach just started offering Vajra yoga classes, so I decided to try something new and took a class last week. The only thing I knew before heading into the studio was that this was a more meditative kind of yoga. Since the class began at noon, it was small: only four other students. The small group made for a calm and peaceful environment, and the teacher had a single candle lit in the front of the room, which added to the quiet ambiance.

This 90-minute class began as I thought, seated in a comfortable position, as we were instructed to focus on our breath and quiet our minds. We only sat for about five minutes or so, which seemed like the perfect amount of time. To be honest, I have a hard time sitting and being still (it's something I need to work on), but this didn't seem too long at all. I actually enjoyed just experiencing the moment and following my breath.

To hear about the rest of the class read more.

After the short meditation, we began with small movements to awaken and warm up the muscles. We did some Cat Cow back stretches on our hands and knees, and some Cobra to Child's Pose. Then we eased into opening our hips with Pigeon, and some standing poses like Warrior 3 and Wide-Legged Standing Forward Bend to open our hamstrings.

Although the poses were familiar, the way we did them was different than I am used to. There were no vinyasas, and we didn't flow from pose to pose to pose. Each asana was carried out on its own, and to be honest, it didn't work for my body. My muscles never really had the chance to warm up since I felt like my body was just being thrown into poses. That's just me though. I prefer fast-paced flowing styles of yoga such as Ashtanga, Vinyasa, and Jivamukti, where there's a lot more movement. Slower forms such as Kripalu and Iyengar always leave me feeling unsatisfied and antsy to move.

If you're new to yoga or prefer to move slowly, then Vajra yoga may be right up your alley, so see if a studio near you offers this type of yoga. As for me, I'll stick to my Vinyasa class most of the time and head to a Vajra class if my energy level is low or I need some quiet time to de-stress.

Is yoga one of your favorite things to talk about? Then check out the Yoga Stretch and Tell group.