Hooping?
Has anyone had good luck with hooping? Know anything about it? Have any advice to give for a beginner? Any good videos they like to use while hooping? I just made my own today as something to do around the house for fitness. :)
How to build endurance
- Check your form: A broken machine won’t run well, and the same goes for your body. Poor running form can cause aches and pains that make you want to stop in your tracks, so check your running form to ensure your body will feel like it can keep going and going.
- Run more often: As with anything, practice makes perfect. You can’t expect to run like a gazelle if you only lace up your sneaks twice a week. Spread out your workouts over the week, running shorter distances more often. Try doing one- or two-mile workouts (choose a distance that works for your level of ability) five times a week. You’ll be surprised at how quickly running starts to feel easier.
- Increase slowly: Once your breath starts to even out and your muscles become less fatigued, you can start increasing your mileage. Don’t get ahead of yourself, though. Follow the 10 percent rule: never increase your weekly mileage by more than 10 percent of the previous week. Not only will this help to prevent injury, but it’ll also prevent your mind from feeling overwhelmed by doing too much too soon.
- Intervals: Running faster may be harder, but it’ll increase muscle strength and lung capacity, which are key to building your endurance. Start off by adding a few 10-second sprinting intervals every few minutes, and gradually build up to 30-second sprints.
- Head for the hills: Running up hills is another way to build leg and core strength as well as lung endurance. Increase the incline on the treadmill, or find some natural hills outside and do a shorter version of this hill repeat workout. At first you’ll curse the hills, but after a couple weeks, you’ll be craving them.
Does anyone know of any good May Yoga challenges?
Or is maybe interested in making one with me? I’m looking for a good one to help keep me motivated!
Sattvic “Diet” Foods
Fruits
Apples, Kiwi, Prunes, Apricots, Loquat, Tangerines, Bananas, Lychee, Pomegranate, Cantaloupe, Mango, Papaya, Cherries, Melons, Nectarines, Cranberry, Honeydew, Oranges, Grapefruits, Watermelon, Pineapples, Grapes, Peaches, Plums, Guava, Pears, Persimmon
Vegetables
Artichokes, Eggplant, Lettuce, Beets, Mustard, Greens, Asparagus, Daikon, Onions, Endive, Fennel, Maitake, Parsnips, Bok Choy, Peas, Broccoli, Green Beans, Potatoes, Brussels Sprouts, Kale, Radishes, Cabbage, Leeks, Lima Beans, Shallots, Carrots, Celery, Spinach, Cauliflower, Chard, Chanterelles, Sprouts, Corn, Squash, Shitake, Mushrooms, Watercress, Turnips, Yams
Sprouted Whole Grains
Amaranth, Barley, Buckwheat, Bulgur, Millet, Quinoa, Rice:Basmati, Brown and Wild Rice.
Oils
Olive, Safflower, Sesame, Sunflower, Garbanzo, Lentils, Mung.
Spices
Asafoetida (hing), Coriander, Basil, Cumin, Nutmeg, Black Pepper, Fennel seed, Parsley, Cardamom, Fenugreek, Turmeric, Cinnamon, Cloves, Ginger
Nut/Seed
Brazil nuts, Pumpkin seeds, Sunflower seeds, Walnuts
Milks & Cheese
Seed milk, Hemp milk, Almond or other nut milk
Sweetners
Cane juice, Raw honey, Stevia, Fruit Juices, Maple Syrup
Guide to choosing a yoga style
1. Slow paced, stretching, easy postures, simple breathing techniques and some seated meditation: Hatha, Ananda, Integral, Integrative yoga therapy.
2. A challenging workout with emphasis on the breath-body movement, detoxification through sweat, focus of mind, building strength, flexibility and stamina: Ashtanga, Bikram, Vinyasa, Dynamic.
3. Slow paced, concentrating on proper alignment and symmetry of postures, longer time spent holding postures, honoring the wisdom of the body, use of props: Iyengar, Kripalu, Anusara, Therapeutic, Svaroopa, Viniyoga.
4. Use of breath with movement, chanting, meditation, visualization, and relaxation: Kundalini, Sivananda yoga.
5. Blends the spiritual wisdom of yoga, the touch of Thai massage, and acrobatics in order to cultivate trust, connection and playfulness: Acro Yoga, Partner yoga.
Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/choosing-a-yoga-style.html#ixzz2RJkALFtr
Yoga Buddy?
Calling all yoga lovers, beginners or classified yogi’s!! I’m looking for someone to keep me motivated in my practice as I have not been recently. Someone who might be available for texting or just to keep in contact with! We could create routines for the week and basically just keep each other motivated and turn each other on to new videos, classes, gear, whatever! If you’re interested let me know!! :)
Another question about heart rate monitors
Would you suggest them? What are some good brands if you do?
Anyone have any good cardio suggestions for the gym tonight?
I’ve been lacking a bit of variety in my workouts lately so I would love to hear what you normally do when you go to the gym! :) Feel free to leave it as an ask or in a reply!
Exercises to tone thighs (can be done at home!)
Forward leg lift
This move, a variation on the ballet battement, tones quadriceps (front of the upper leg) and adductors, which make up the inner thigh area and are one of the weakest muscle groups in a woman’s body. The forward leg lift creates muscles that are toned and lengthened, not big and bulky.
Start position: Stand with your back against the ballet barre or chair, stairway bannister, kitchen counter — basically anywhere you can find balance.
Movement: Extend one leg and lift and lower in a challenging range of motion, toes pointed, 20 times. Flex the foot and do 20 more reps. Switch to the opposite leg and repeat.
Reverse leg lift (also known as ballet arabesque)
The reverse leg lift uses the same principle as the forward leg lift, but works the glutes and hamstrings (the back of the upper leg). While doing this exercise, you should feel a contraction in the entire back of the leg, from the glute to the ankle.
Start position: Stand next to the ballet barre, chair or other point of balance, holding lightly with your right hand.
Movement: Bend your left knee slightly and raise the right leg in a challenging range of motion, toes pointed, 20 times. Flex the foot, and do 20 more reps. Switch sides and repeat with the left leg.
Ballet first position (also called plié)
The plié is arguably the most famous ballet position for a reason: it’s a fantastic workout for the entire leg, targeting the quadriceps, hamstrings and glute muscles.
Start position: Squat, heels lifted and touching, knees spread to create a diamond shape between your heels and your pelvis.
Movement: Lift up and down one inch, never moving your rear below your knees. Repeat 20 times. Break for a moment and repeat.
Note: Those with knee sensitivity should opt out of first position and proceed to second position.
Ballet second position (also a plié)
This variation on the plié is a very effective total leg workout. Make sure your heels are lifted (ballet term: relevé) the entire time to feel the full effect.
Start position: Squat with knees facing out, facing your barre or point of balance. Lift your heels and adjust your position until you feel that your leg muscles are fully engaged.
Movement: Hold the position for 60 seconds; or lift yourself up one inch, down one inch, never moving your rear below your knees. Repeat 20 times. Break for a moment and repeat.
Hamstring press (called a ballet attitude position)
This move is excellent for toning and strengthening the back of the thighs (hamstrings).
Start position: Stand with arms lifted in front of you, one knee slightly bent and the other leg behind you at a 90 degree angle.
Movement: With your toes pointed, lower the leg so that your toe touches the floor, then come back to the 90 degree angle. Repeat 20 times. Break momentarily and repeat 20 more times, with your foot flexed. Then repeat on the opposite leg.
Runner’s lunge
After contracting the thigh muscles with the above exercises, it’s important to give yourself a great stretch to lengthen the muscle. This position stretches out the back of the leg and thigh and is a perfect way to end a rigorous workout.
Stretch: With your right leg at a 90 degree angle and right foot firmly planted, extend the left leg behind you, being sure to keep your left heel lifted. Fold your arms into a prayer position and hold. Repeat on the opposite leg.
