Friday Inspiration: Share Your Gifts

Yoga pose: Pigeon with clasped fingers. Try this for both an inner thigh and a back stretch. I like to add back stretches to everything because I have such a tight upper back.

Inspiration: "Part of your mission in life must be to share your gifts with as many people as possible." - T. Harv Eker.

Cheers Eights & Weights!

Friday Inspiration: What Works for your Body

Yoga pose: Extended forward fold.

Inspiration: Every person's body is innately different. One version of a pose is not better than another. With regular practice, you will slowly fall into what works for YOUR body to get the positive benefits and reduce your risk of injury. My practice became sooooo much better when I accepted this.

I want people not to get frustrated when you practice. A lot of us try to be like other people. There's nothing wrong in being inspired, but because our bodies are so different, rather than spend time mimicking, spend time learning about your body. Find out what works and what does not feel right.

Cheers Eights & Weights!

New to Yoga Series: Cow and Cat Pose

A major area of concern with me is my back, especially when it comes to flexibility. I carry a lot of tension in my neck, shoulders, and back, and so I do a lot of back stretches during my yoga sessions to ease out some of that tension. Two of the poses I tend to do a lot are the cow and cat poses.

New to Yoga Series: Sun Salutations Part 3 - Lunge and Chataranga

From the flat back, people take one of two paths usually: either extend one leg back to the lunge and then go into a yoga pushup, or jump back with both feet straight into the upper pushup position. The style you choose usually has to do with level of strength.

New to Yoga Series: Breathing

You have probably heard about deep breathing in yoga. There are actually some forms of yoga that focus solely on the breathing. But generally, breathing is very very important in yoga. You're probably wondering why. Well, I like to tell you these things :)

New to Yoga Series: What is Yoga?

There is a lot of misconception about what yoga is and what it is not, so I want to address this today. I have had people tell me that yoga is demonic, and although I truly believe everyone has a right to believe what they want to, I also want people who are interested in learning more not to be scared off by these personal beliefs.

New to Yoga? Join me in November to Learn the Basics!

You've heard a lot about yoga. You've seen people do all sorts of poses. You've thought to yourself: How can I get that flexible and that strong? Well, you have the opportunity to learn! In November, I will be hosting a "New to Yoga" series. I know we have challenges each month, but this would be less of a challenge, and more of a teaching series. 

July 31st Yoga Challenge

We have come to the end of July! Although I loved the Yogangsters challenge, I am excited for a new month. Because today is the last day, the creators of the challenge thought it would be a great idea to take the opportunity to meditate and rest in our pose. So of course we are doing the 'Lotus'. 

Everyone's pose looks a tad different with the lotus because of flexibility and the differences in the lengths of our limbs. So don't over-extend yourself or worry that you are not doing it right.

Stay tuned for our challenge for next month, and a chance to win an Eights & Weights t-shirt :)

Cheers Eights & Weights!

July 29th Yoga Challenge

So the challenge for today is another upside-down "on your elbows" type challenge. Sorry... I didn't make these up. The Yogangsters challenge today is a variation of the forearm stand. I know... I know... but the more you challenge your body, the more it would thank you. Try this pose bending one leg behind you, and having the other straight out in front of you.

With today's challenge, I'd like us to actually do some reflection. If you are going through one thing or the other in life, try to channel that into your workout. Let it help you calm your mind a little and realize that life is okay and you can get through anything.

Cheers Eights & Weights!

July 28th Yoga Challenge

The Yogangsters challenge for today is a variation of the bow pose. Hold one foot with the opposite palm, and either pull the foot towards you, or use your upper body to pull the foot away from you. I prefer the second option as I usually feel more of a stretch in my butt when I do it this way. Then lift your upper body a little off the ground and stretch your other arm forward.

Cheers Eights and Weights!

Day 2 and 3 of July Challenges!

I apologize for not sharing the July challenge yesterday. I have been having some Internet trouble. So I thought I'd share both today and you can try to do both? Even 1 round of each maybe :)

Yoga on a Plane, in the Airport, Yoga Everywhere

So I know I've been a little MIA lately. I have had a lot on my plate. But I haven't stopped my jumping jacks!!! I hope you haven't too. We have about 5 more days in June, and I'm at 5000. That means 1000 more to go, but I know I can do it over the next couple of days.