You’ve heard of couples yoga, but Rebecca and Donovan take it to a whole new level!
These two performers almost made me blush with their sensual dance using yoga postures. Watch their grace, beauty and strength in this 4 minute video:
I wonder if this will inspire my Honey to start yoga?
Are you an exercise phobe looking for an activity that doesn’t seem like work? What if I told you that I knew of a low-intensity, highly effective workout that if practised, would give you the long, strong and lean body of a dancer or gymnast?
Developed by Joseph Pilates in the 1920’s while incarcerated in a WWI German internment camp , Pilates is a series of muscle strengthening floor exercises. Many people like this form of exercise because there a very few repetitions, easily preventing boredom. And, you barely break a sweat!
Pilates is based on a holistic perspective and is a mind-body method that requires slow and controlled movements. The participant purposefully moves in and out of poses, strong from their core, concentrating on contracting and stretching the necessary muscles to perform each exercise.
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A strong core is integral to any health plan. It is the foundation of any fit body, making everyday movements a cinch while improving your posture, breathing and preventing injury.
If you’re looking for the most effective way to a toned stomach, then try the plank. It’s a challenging exercise but it works all of your core (and more) at once, and gets easier over time.
Check out this Expert Village video (2 ½ minutes long) for the plank. It includes variations as well so that you can increase the difficulty as you strengthen your core:
The plank is one way to measure fitness levels . Can you hold the plank for 60 seconds? Go ahead – try assessing your core strength !
For those of you who are short on time (like me today!), grab your mat and exercise ball. Try this fabulous, highly efficient, 15 minute workout. Just don’t forget to fill up your ball so it’s nice and firm – it really helps!
Courtesy of our friends at SparkPeople.com and, of course, YouTube:
Last week, Metro News published a great article submitted by the editors of alive.com . Covering the most popular workout faux pas, here they are compliments of Alive Magazine (topped with Live Lighter commentary:
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No matter how much you try to fool yourself, physical activity is a basic element of health. Is there anyone left that believes you can have health without physical activity? My own personal belief is that everyone has their own optimal levels of activity, but nevertheless, all the literature I’ve come across all agrees you need it to live a healthy lifestyle and get the full benefits of health.
The good news is that you don’t need a lot of physical activity in your lifestyle, as long as it is consistent (everyday) and for at least ½ hour. As you get more fit, you’re going to WANT more physical activity (it may be hard to believe, but it IS true). But for now, why not get the maximum benefits from a minimum amount of time? The following tips will help you put a little more ooomph! into your physical activity. Read the rest of this entry
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Just in time for your New Year’s Resolutions!
Strengthening your core muscles are important because all of your movements are supposed to originate here. Strong core = excellent balance.
Here is the first video in a series of Pilates for Beginners. This exercise is called the Front Support Stretch and reminds me of the plank , my favourite core move.
For now, concentrate on perfecting your technique, but remember to have fun!
