How Motivation Keeps Us Young At Heart

admin — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 20:34:22 +0000

Motivation is a funny thing. Sometimes you have it and sometimes you don’t. Motivation is not something you learn from a book, but learning to improve your quality of life is cause for motivation. So where do you start to find motivation in losing weight and getting in better physical shape? If you are like most people you may find inspiration for the reality show “The Biggest Losers”, or you may find it in a magazine article that leads you to become motivated yourself in doing something to change how you feel. There are many other scenarios that set up that light bulb in your head, to get you in the right frame of mind and to set realistic goals. Wherever it comes from it’s great to first recognize it and second to act on it.

We see determination among athletes who suffer injury. Their motivation is to get back at what they love doing at the level they once were at before injury sidelined them. Their stories of motivation is no different than the non-athlete. It’s just they are more in the public eye. Motivation keeps all of us young at heart. It drives our engines. It pushes us to go where we never though possible.

No Slouching With Yoga And Pilates Exercise

admin — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 18:01:25 +0000

Yoga as exercise may not be what most people think of when they hear someone say they’re off for a yoga workout. Just looking at photos of yoga practitioners working through their exercises one gets the impression that they may not be working hard. At least if you compare photos of bodybuilders with bulging muscles looking strain pumping heavy weights. Yet if you ever let’s say do hatha yoga you will learn up to 30 poses that are more than challenging incorporating different degrees of difficulty. You soon would realize the amount of strength and concentration it takes to get through the exercises.

Pilates is another type of exercise that may have a lot of people scratching their heads. When you see someone engaged in a Pilates exercise you too may get the feeling that there isn’t too much with these exercises. But if you ever want to know the truth try signing up for a Pilates mat class. You will know very quickly that Pilates is no slouch when it comes to exercise. Just ask your core muscles.

Should Yoga Be An Olympic Sport

admin — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 21:04:15 +0000

I’m just having fun with you. I think if it ever was an Olympic sport nobody would watch, but everyone would want to participate. I really can’t say how many of the Olympic athletes practice yoga along with their other training regime, but it may be accurate to say that by watching how strong and flexible they are, it is a good bet that yoga is very much part of their training.

Just watch the skating competition. I love it when they hold their skate pull it high toward their head and go it to an incredible fast spin. One has to be extremely strong and flexible to pull such a feat. Yoga helps strengthen a competitor’s body, helps develop better concentration and prepares their mental state allowing them to relax in all for the betterment to improve an athlete’s performance. Yoga is the perfect vehicle for treating injuries and preventing them too.

Yoga And Chocolate

admin — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:34:07 +0000

You just spent the last hour working out on your yoga poses and you happen to come across a store selling chocolate. It so happens to be Valentine’s Day as well. Dilemma? Maybe if you weren’t so dedicated to your fitness routine and your healthy lifestyle it might make you feel guilty. Okay, regardless chocolate seems to make the best of us feel guilty indulging on this delectable treat. But it is Valentine’s Day so why not treat yourself to a dark chocolate bar. Dark chocolate is high in cocoa. Buy a bar over 65% because although it has its share of fat and calories it does have some health benefits. The bar contains many antioxidants that are good for you. So grab the organic chocolate bar enjoy the day. Life enjoyed is about simple pleasures. Yoga and chocolate are just two.

The Yoga Mat Bag

admin — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 16:50:27 +0000

Owning a nice yoga mat is important. It’s there to make your yoga workout more enjoyable, making you secure when doing difficult poses. So it is safe to say that a good quality yoga mat is an investment. Like all good investments one needs to take good care of it otherwise it will lose its value. Having the mat as one investment isn’t enough. It is best to treat that investment by not carrying around exposed to the elements but protected in its own bag. A yoga mat bag is the answer and unlike in past years where the pickings were slim, today there are many manufacturers putting out quality, stylish mat bags that are so attractive some even can be used as an everyday tote. Bags come in various shapes, styles and colors. Buy solid or floral, quilted or canvas, there are yoga mat bags for different tastes. So the next time you lug your mat to a yoga class under your arms think how much more convenient a mat bag would make your life.

The Importance Of A Good Exercise Mat

admin — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 18:46:51 +0000

Not all mats are created equal. Take Pilates mats. They tend to be thicker giving you more padding. Pilates mat workouts consists of a lot of rolling exercises. A padded exercise mat helps protect the body especially the hips. Thicker mats are more comfortable which helps when doing a Pilates mat class. Yoga mats on the other hand are made differently. A quality yoga mat has a stickiness factor to it. When practicing yoga a stable mat which doesn’t allow slippage gives the yogi more security. Therefore, yoga mats are thinner. They are made for you to feel the floor, to be more grounded. Regardless if you do yoga or Pilates it is important to own your own mat. The idea of someone’s sweat on a shared mat isn’t too appealing. Buy one for yourself. It’s an investment toward your health.

Is Yoga Part Of Your Fitness Plans For 2010

admin — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 20:51:37 +0000

Trends come and trends go. What roll yoga plays in the trend game of 2010 is yet to be determined, but chances are yoga will only become more popular. One reason why it will see an increase in the participation of our aging population. As Americans grow old they look for an exercise plan that is low-impact. Pilates does it and so does yoga. Another thing today that is worth mentioning is that yoga doesn’t have the stigma of being only for the “earthy crunchy people” Those fond days are long gone. Yoga today is mainstream.

In most department stores you can find yoga clothes. Online fitness stores have a section dedicated to yoga supplies. More and more yoga studios are opening up in the community. And YMCA’s of the world have made it a point to hold yoga classes. After school programs for children in elementary schools are being offered yoga. Kids love it. To them it’s social. Doing the exercises gives kid’s better concentration skills and helps keep their stress level down. Yes, 2010 will once again be a year of yoga.

Enlighten Up

admin — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 16:37:10 +0000

Just a quick note here to those who enjoy a good documentary film. Enlighten Up takes you through a journey of yoga cynic and journalist Nick Rosen as he investigates the ancient discipline. Nick travels take him various places throughout the U.S. as well as India. Accompanied by documentary filmmaker Kate Churchill who fully supports the ideals of yoga as having a profound impact on one’s life. Nick meets a variety of yogis and gurus who he spends time with looking for answers that he can hold true to. But along the way he discovers many different views on yoga’s purpose to mankind.

Nick is no observer. He takes classes both private and with groups. In the beginning Nick struggles with certain poses, but as he gets stronger we see him meet these new challenges with more certainty. Yes his commitment to the practice makes him physically stronger but his journey does eventually end. To find out how it all shakes out rent the film and enjoy.

Is Your Teenager Losing Focus

admin — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:09:33 +0000

What’s up with teenagers these days? To be able to focus on tasks seems to be taking a toll on our youth. So what’s a mother to do? Kid’s stress levels are on the rise along with the demands of social life and school work. Maybe it’s time to put a little yoga fitness into your teenager’s social calendar.

Yoga helps teens develop confidence and inner peace. Teens who practice yoga find that their concentration becomes more acute. With the pressure of maintaining good grades and college acceptance a priority, teens who do yoga have an advantage of developing better memory skills. And yoga helps them gain a more positive self image outlook that goes a long way toward their social network.

Yoga increases one’s energy levels. This along with a stronger immune system makes the body fit and toned which helps teens be able to handle the stress and drama that effects so many of them. Teens develop better posture along with better moods. And what mother wouldn’t welcome that?

Seniors Get In Shape With Yoga

admin — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:32:43 +0000

Let’s face it, seniors do have more time on their hands these days. Whether by choice of retirement or by attrition due to the bleak job market, seniors are getting in shape doing yoga. And for good reason. Yoga exercises keep seniors feeling more alive and vibrant. Aging has a way to cause havoc with our bodies. Muscles get tighter. Bone density decreases. Seniors may see their blood pressure rise along with diabetes and heart disease. Along with a slow down in the metabolism, losing unwanted weight becomes more difficult. Yet there is hope for seniors that are willing to face old age or should I say attack it with a can do attitude.

Seniors looking to stay fit should seek out yoga classes. Finding them from message boards at the local grocery store or in the local paper are a good way to get started. If you are a member of a senior community see if you can bring in a yoga instructor to conduct group classes with your closest friends. Yoga has the benefit of being a social event too in the same ways as a cocktail party.

A yoga instructor will work with the group at a safe level to start. Eventually you’ll end up doing harder poses as you gain strength. Then watch your energy pick up.