Sometimes I freeform my home yoga practice, but often I use DVDs as a starting place. They get me to the foot of the mat, the hardest “asana” as David Swenson, I think, has joked. They provide structure, even though I might swap in preferred poses or hit pause to add extras or slow down.
Why […]

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I was reminded recently how hard it can be to make mental space for yoga — a practice that strengthens your muscles by slowing down. Nothing could be more painful for some people, or maybe for all people on some days. When I’ve got a thousand things on the to-do list, which is usually, hanging […]

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On Javachick’s recommendation, I decided to find out whether “yogalates” would be as much torture for my tushie as straight-up pilates.
Happily, I liked Crunch: Super SlimDown, “blending yoga and pilates.” It was a very comfortable challenge but I finished it feeling energized and worked-out. It was interesting to see which exercises yoga had prepared me […]

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So, I’m going to give ayurvedic eating a two-week trial, just for gits and shiggles (start date TBA). Once again, this is the ancient Indian health system that separates people into 3 types or “doshas.” For the best health — “balance” — each type is supposed to focus on particular foods and activity levels.
I’ve cocked […]

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Check out this article on “eating to support your yoga” in Yoga Journal. If the sections on ayurvedic eating and fasting (they give fasting a thumbs-down) bore you, skip straight to the “conscious eating” section.

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Hello to my regular readers and any folks who might drop by from Crabby’s site. Welcome!
I’ve got a guest post up today at Cranky Fitness — please check it out:
Light on Yoga: Five Benefits of Yoga for Weight Loss

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Finding a community is an important stage in becoming, and later maintaining, your groovy new health’n’fitness-lovin identity. It’s rewarding and renewing to share knowledge and rub shoulders while practicing the activities you love.
Case in point: Last night I breathed some fresh life into my yoga practice by going to a “yoga potluck.” Twenty-odd people gathered, […]

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Blood sugar responds best to a combo of cardio and strength, apparently. How about trying flow yoga, so you can do both at once?

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Today is turning into Yoga Friday - my new Yoga Journal showed up in the mail today, with an article on yoga therapy for eating disorders. That one isn’t available online yet, so I direct you to an older piece: Happy in Your Own Skin.
Yoga has definitely changed my relationship with my body, but […]

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Bar none, the best beginning yoga DVD on the market: Max Strom’s Strength, Grace, Healing. This DVD is beautiful and gentle and challenging all at the same time. If you’d like to bring some peace and quiet into your life, turn to Max. There are plenty of DVD’s out there with titles like “Yoga […]

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