Do you have good posture? Are you hunched over at your desk while typing on the computer? Proper posture may not seem like that big of a deal, but realistically, it truly is. Proper posture is about more than holding your head up high; it is crucial for eliminating any unnecessary strains to certain muscles, joints, bones, or organs.

With correct posture, you can look taller, slimmer, and come across as being extremely confident- all of which are “A-OK” in my book.
Read Full Post >

Leeann Carey, founder of Planet Yoga

Guest blogger, Leeann Carey, is the founder of Planet Yoga Teacher Training Programs and an acclaimed yoga instructor with over twenty years of teaching experience. Leeann has trained everyone, from World Champion Los Angeles Lakers to celebrities and from students looking for a great workout and people on the healing path from injuries or chronic health issues.

I remember the days when I used to spring out of bed in the morning or read a book without squinting my eyes and furrowing my brow. I’m in fairly good shape for my 49 years of healthy living, but as of late, some mornings I wake up with an achy lower back. Millions of Americans complain of lower back aches when there is nothing structurally wrong.

Perhaps you strained your back lifting something or used poor bio-mechanics throughout the day to perform daily activities. Maybe you spend most of your day sitting at a computer which our bodies aren’t built for. Of course, accumulated stress can settle in your back without you even knowing it.
Read Full Post >

If you have ever suffered from back pain, you know firsthand just how physically and emotionally draining it can be. Today, back pain sufferers can treat their pain with an assortment of over-the-counter medications, heat pads, ice packs, physical therapy sessions, and a number of other medical treatments like surgery or steroid injections.

But as more of us seek out non-invasive and drugless alternatives to treat ailments, yoga has been gaining popularity as a way to improve back pain.

Whether it is a sufferer’s first line of defense or last resort, yoga for back pain is an effective and non-invasive way to treat the symptoms of back pain and prevent it in the first place.

Here is what you need to know about yoga and back pain.

Read Full Post >

Have you been doing the same workout routine day in and day out? Well, it’s about time to change that. I have designed a workout that works your entire body while making you sweat from head to toe. The workout is designed to keep you moving from one exercise to the next without pausing or taking time to catch your breath; which means this workout may not be for everyone.

If you have heart problems or have been told what to do by a doctor; please listen to their advice. This workout starts off with a nice heart-racing warm-up and and back-burning cool-down. Lower back pain is one of the biggest problems the majority of my clients have, thus I tend to work the lower back at the end of each workout to help increase strength and flexibility without taking away from the actual workout. Be careful and please use proper technique while performing these movements.
Read Full Post >

Obesity is a pain in the neck… and the back. It’s not just a concern for long-term life or death health issues, but it also affects your day-to-day functions. Among the many side effects of being heavy, one of the more pressing issues is low back pain.

According to researchers, the percentage of people in North Carolina suffering from chronic low back pain has more than doubled since the early ’90s (from 3.9% in 1992 to 10.2% in 2006). They see the state as a mirror image of the nation as a whole.

The pain is not only agonizing to deal with each day, but the problems resonate even further. That is, you’re less productive.
Read Full Post >