A real life (and very common) story from a long term student about her relationship with yoga.10/1/2023 'I've been unenthusiastic regarding my yoga lately, making excuses, excuses, excuses.
Too Tired, Too Busy, Gardening, Visitors, Etc, etc, etc. My body began to feel more and more stiff. As a week or 2 passed with not a lot of yoga practice,I began to get back pain, then a trapped nerve in my lower back. I decided to do a few downward dogs and sun salutations at home, gosh it eased the pain in my back. It was at that moment I realised that I must make time to go to my yoga classes . I booked a place the very next day with Nicola. I was so stiff at the beginning of the class I could hardly do my sun salutations. As the class went on I began to loosen up, and my back pain was easing. By the end of the session the pain in my back had disappeared. I felt so much better, body and mind. The music during the session was so relaxing. I came out of my class feeling 10 years younger than when I went in. I skipped down to my car, and sang to music all the way home. I slept like a baby that night. I realise now the importance of keeping my body flexible, and to try and do yoga class at least twice a week, when I can. Use it or lose it.' " You are only as young as your spine is flexible"
0 Comments
Done right, this can be smart exercise writes Boudicca Fox Leonard.
The plank, an isometric core strength exercise that involves maintaining a position similar to a push up for the maximum possible time is both feared and prized in fitness circles. Now a new study has found that the plank is better at preventing high blood pressure that going for a run, walk or bike ride. Scientists at Canterbury Christ Church University in Kent reviewed more than 200 trials which looked at a range of exercises and how they impacted blood pressure. Aerobic exercise was found to be less effective than isometric exercises such as the plank which involve holding the body in a position with no muscle or joint movement. 'The benefits of resistance training go much further - strengthening muscles and bones, reducing resting heart rate, contributing to a healthy body weight,' says Live Probert, co founder of corporate wellness service HAWQ who has an MSc in sport and health sciences from the University of Exeter. The real beauty of isometric exercises is their accessibility: they require no equipment, allowing them to be done almost anywhere and at any time. However, there are some caveats that mean it's not one plank fits all, according to Probert. 'It always gets mixed reviews, from dodgy technique limiting the effectiveness, to some claiming that it's the holy grail of getting a six pac. When done correctly, it can be a useful exercise to help strengthen our core muscles. It's also touted as one of the most commonly done wrong exercises.' Monique Eastwood, the trainer responsible for the toned muscles of Stanley Tucci, Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt, loves planks. But it's a position unique to each individual, she points out: 'It presents a different challenge depending on your body type.' First off, the less you weigh, the easier it will be. 'I happen to be quite compact and balanced, so my plank is going to be a lighter and easier effort for me. If you are someone who is a little bit more loaded on the top or bottom half, your isometric plank is going to be a bigger effort.' Extra weight isn't the only challenge though. The basic shape to aim for is a neutral spine that avoids tucking or arching the pubic bone. If you are hypermobile it will be harder to keep your spine neutral. 'Your abdominals have to work even harder to pull back and stabilise your spine,' says Eastwood. 'If you have a rigid spine, more solid, without those hypermobile areas, it's going to be easier for you to be in that place than someone fighting that gravitational pull all the time.' Many men have more upper body strength, which means that are less likely to strain their wrist and shoulders. Using your forearms, instead of straight arms, will 'stop you overloading your wrists and stooping into your chest muscles more than you should be,' says Eastwood. If your deep core strength needs building up, you can also drop onto your knees. Then, to build strength, Eastwood recommends lifting and lowering your knees, remembering to engage your core, glutes and legs. Then you can play around with holding it a bit longer. 'As soon as you feel the body shifting forward and dumping on to the wrists, and the shoulders have lost their stability, drop the knees down.' she says. The Telegraph, London As parents and caregivers, we want our children to be empowered and to stand tall in their own individuality. One of the most empowering gifts we can offer our children is teaching them self- awareness and self-care. Yoga offers an effective way to educate kids and teens on the importance of looking after themselves by encouraging good posture, focus and sleep. Keep reading to find out more!
Posture Maintaining a good posture is an important measure of self-care to keep the spine and neck supported and strong. Looking at phones and using laptops and iPads for long periods of time puts strain on children’s postures. Finding their core and keeping it strong, stretching and sitting straight and still through yoga practice can help to alleviate potential posture issues in the future. Focus When our bodies and minds are in alignment, focus comes more easily; focus on what we are thinking and focus on what our bodies are doing. Yoga teaches focus on the breath, focus on stilling the mind and where to focus our attention during each pose. This builds and supports the body-mind connection. Focus increases learning and comprehension which in turn increases confidence in children and what they feel able to achieve. Sleep Sleep is an often elusive but absolutely crucial element in life, especially for growing beings. A deep and restful slumber prepares kids for the next day and arms them with energy and clarity. Everything feels different after a great sleep; the sun is brighter; the sky is clearer and the day flows more easily. Yoga helps kids and teens to calm their minds, experience relaxation and challenge their bodies, which all lead to a calm and restful sleep. Self-care and taking responsibility for ourselves through increased body awareness builds self-esteem and belief. Learning good posture practice, focus techniques and making sleep a priority using the magical tradition of yoga, empowers kids and teens to have a strong sense of self. To give your child a pathway for self-empowerment, visit yogafirst.com.au. |
ArchivesCategories |
Proudly powered by Weebly
|