Move

A weekend in Bali. A month in Morocco. Three weeks camping on the Baja Peninsula. Expensive, exotic yoga retreats, trainings and festivals are popping up all over the globe. As wonderful as it would be to just drop the kids off at Grandma’s and jetset around the world to connect with the yogis and energies of foreign lands, it’s not always feasible -- especially when Grandma’s RVing in North Carolina and you used the last of your PTO when your bestie was in town last month.

Whatever our fitness levels, we want our kids to be fit and healthy kids. So here are some tips for us parents to achieve just that and more…

However couch potato-ish we might be as individuals, as parents we want our kids to be better than us. We want them to achieve all that we couldn’t, and we try to do whatever it is that we can to remove any obstacles in their way. So, we want to raise fit and healthy kids.

Wellness Wednesday 56: Dolphin Pose / Ardha Pincha Mayurasana

Benefits:

Strengthening pose.

Stretches shoulders, hamstrings, and calves.

Can help calm brain, relieving stress.

Can relieve symptoms of menopause.

Foundation & General Alignment:

Start on hands and knees, lower onto forearms and bring body up like downward dog.

Weight is evenly distributed on forearms and feet.

Heels are on ground.

Learning any skill requires time and patience, and running is no different. Tired of running 5Ks every weekend and looking to move into the 10K, half-marathon, marathon–or even ultramarathon–distance? Here are five steps to making the jump.

Wellness Wednesday Week 55: Bridge Pose

Benefits:

Strengthens legs.

Opens hips.

Tones belly.

Foundation & General Alignment:

Start while lying on back.

Knees are bent.

Both feet are firmly planted on the ground.

Hips are lifted up off ground.

Hands are clasped behind back.

Body is in a straight line.

Back is straight.

Certain activities might not seem compatible with yoga–heavy lifting, for example, or scuba diving–but yoga can help athletes of almost any sport improve their strength, flexibility, and mobility. Running, on the other hand, seems made for yoga. Runners don’t necessarily need the limberness of a gymnast, or the flexibility of a performer in Cirque de Soleil, but running does require enough flexibility and mobility to prevent injuries. 

Do you take recovery as seriously as you take your training? Whether you’re a beginner or elite, it’s necessary to rest your body at least weekly, if not more, to reduce the physical (not to mention mental) toll that hard exercise can have on your body. Recovery can come in different forms, and it’s not an excuse to binge watch your favorite Netflix series while chowing down on the comfort food of your choice.

Wellness Wednesday 54: Locust Pose / Salabhasana

Benefits:

Strengthens entire back of body.

Stretches the front of the body.

Can help relieve stress.

Foundation & General Alignment:

Start laying on stomach, hands are flat on ground by your side, and tops of feet are flat on ground with toes pressing into the ground.

Either at the same time, or one after the other: lift both arms and legs.

Keep front of body engaged.

The next time you reach for an ibuprofen during a run, or slather on some more IcyHot to soothe your muscles, think again. Herbal remedies can have the same effect, without the risk factors associated with painkillers and creams.

If you have ever joined yoga classes, chances are you are familiar with the whole jingbang of yoga props. From yoga blocks to mats, straps to bolsters, and of course, the ever-present yoga mats. Most of these accessories are also a bit dear on the pocket, especially if color, design, or eco-friendliness enters the picture.