Tag Archives: Yoga

4 Crazy New Ways to Get the Coziest of Couch Potatoes Up on Their Feet!

Hi, my name is Dempsey and I love to workout! I live for the endorphin high that I get after a three-hour bike ride, a sweaty hot yoga class, or a long run on the beach. And I have tried it all in search of that high—running, lifting, yoga, cycling, swimming, and almost every type of bizarre workout trend you can imagine.

Now, I realize that not everyone shares this insane passion for exercise. This is why I’ve come up with four workout ideas even couch potatoes can get on board with! If going for a run or hitting the gym just doesn’t appeal to you, try out these unique and fun exercise options to help you stay in shape!

Anti-Gravity Yoga

Anti-gravity yoga (also known as aerial yoga) takes a unique twist on an age-old, timeless practice. The classes are a mix of yoga, Pilates, and aerial acrobatics that incorporate silk hammocks which serve as a type of trapeze. Not only will Anti-Gravity Yoga tone your entire body, but it also aids in decompressing your spine. The hammock will allow you to get into yoga poses you never thought were possible! (more…)

Posted on August 4, 2023 by Dempsey Marks

5 Non-Crunch Ways to Build Your Core (and Not Kill Your Neck)

forearm plank

I don’t like crunches. They hurt my neck. No matter how hard I focus on keeping my eyes up and my chin off my chest, I still feel my neck is getting more of a workout than my abs.

That’s why crunches don’t appear often in my (or my clients’) workouts. I don’t ignore the core however. It is the foundation of our body and functional movement. I just choose to train it other ways.

There are plenty of non-crunch techniques to help you develop your core. If you have low back issues or simply don’t want a pain in the neck, try one of these ways to build a strong and stable core.

1. Planks: I love ab holds and high planks, but they can get boring after awhile. Once a client can maintain an ab hold for 60 seconds, I move on to more challenging plank variations. To take your plank to the next level, try one of these.

Stability ball plank: Place your forearms on a stability ball and toes on the ground. Hold for up to 90 seconds.

Plank slides: I love Valslides for core work! Place one Valslide under each hand while in high plank position. Alternating pushing arms forward and back, about 6 inches away from your body, for 12 reps per side.

Body Saw: Take your plank to a new level by keeping your forearms on the ground but place your feet in suspension trainers that are hanging about 10 – 12 inches from the ground. Move forward and back for 10-15 repetitions. (more…)

Posted on July 28, 2023 by Pamela

Are You Man Enough for Yoga? Why More Men Should Butt in to the Yoga Gender Bias

man yoga

Of course men know the benefits of yoga, and we know what we’re missing out on. So why do we still not go? We often see women go to yoga stressed out and leave with their heads held high. We see them carry on the rest of the day in a state of bliss, so why don’t we go to yoga?

5 Celebrity Dudes Who Yoga (and Why More Men Should)

In the early 1900s immigration laws made it difficult for teachers and practitioners to come over to the U.S. One of the few who made it was a Russian woman, Indra Devi. Women quickly connected after celebrity cosmetologist Elizabeth Arden started working with her. When a male yogi, Richard Hittleman, brought yoga to TV, he used female models. In the 1970s there was Lilias Folan who taught on TV with a soft welcoming tone, which further engaged housewives of America. Power Yoga emerged a decade later but it was too late, yoga had already rooted itself in the fiber of womanhood throughout the US.

While there are countless benefits of yoga for men, we find ourselves trying to trick the male population in to the studio. Regardless of the benefits, there seem to be so many myths and preconceived notions stopping men from rolling out a mat. Benefits include everything from building strength, sexual endurance, piece of mind, and goal setting, to detoxifying the body from the inside out. (more…)

Posted on July 24, 2023 by Brendon Payne

7 Ways to Afford Your Own Staycation Retreat Weekend

It’s summer vacation! Time to celebrate, enjoy the weather, and focus on YOU. Just because you don’t have a tropical getaway booked doesn’t mean you can’t still plan your own amazing day or weekend “staycation” right in your own hometown! A lot of people see self-care as selfish, when truly it is the opposite: selfless. If you don’t take care of yourself, how will you take care of others? Being at your best helps you bring out the best in those around you.

So take some time to show yourself the love you deserve!

Weekend retreats and relaxation packages are popping up all over the place now to promote self-care. But if you’re looking to skip the airport security lines and save on a hotel, why not create your own pampering weekend locally? Here are our top seven suggestions for making the most of your “me” time.

1. Truly Take Some PTO.

Personal time off is rarely used as just that: Personal Time Off. No hustle and bustle of traveling, no doctor’s appointments, or commitments to anyone else but yourself. If it is reasonable for you to take a few hours to lengthen your at-home retreat weekend, your soul will truly thank you for it. And your boss may not mind how rejuvenated and energized you will be returning to work on Monday! (more…)

Posted on July 11, 2023 by Katie McGrath

9 Reasons Why You Hate to Exercise

By now I think we all know we’re supposed to exercise, and quite a few of us have figured what exercise works best for us. However, that doesn’t mean that we all love it.

Starting, and sticking to, an exercise plan can be more difficult than expected. This is especially true if you dread your workout before you’ve even started.

There may be a good reason you aren’t enjoying your workout, and a simple fix to make exercise enjoyable. If you find yourself groaning every time you lace up your shoes or strap on your bike helmet, it may be time to take a look at why you don’t like to exercise and do something about it.

It’s hard to get started
For some, just getting a new exercise program started is the biggest hurdle. Not knowing what to do and making the transition from sedentary to more active can be a daunting task. If you find yourself in this situation, call on a friend to be your workout buddy. Getting started will be a lot easier when you don’t feel like you’re on your own.

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Posted on June 20, 2023 by Elizabeth

Whoa! Jillian Michaels Exposes Nude Figure in Shape Magazine July Issue

Here’s a first look at what’s inside Shape Magazine’s July issue, featuring Jillian Michaels’ fourth cover. Not to mention, a whole lot of Jillian uncovered!

The print magazine will be available July 25 in newsstands (and tablets!) nationwide, and what’s inside is more than the super star Biggest Loser trainer has ever bared before.

At 40, it’s clear that America’s Toughest Trainer is in the best shape of her life. Stronger, wiser, and happier than ever, she maybe one of the few women you hear credit her age for those positive developments. (more…)

Posted on June 17, 2023 by Natalie K

9 Places You Can Workout Next to a Celebrity in LA, New York, and Chicago

OMG! It’s really them! That moment you realize you’ve identified a celebrity in the wild, out amongst mere mortals, living “just like us,” can be rather thrilling. For those who live in LA or NYC, it’s all too common to dine next to the hottest faces and grocery shop elbow to elbow with leading ladies, but for people in the other 48 states, running in to a celebrity on vacation is one of the souvenirs you hope to collect.

If you’re planning an active vacation this summer, hit these workout hot spots and you’re likely to sweat right alongside an OMG-moment-worthy celeb.

Picture or it didn’t happen, your friends will say after your excited tweet. But should you even let them know you know it’s them?

“When I see celebs in the gym, I think it’s poor personal etiquette to approach them during their workout,” advised Dan Flores, RTSm, a master personal trainer based in New York City. “I value my personal gym time and would hate to be interrupted. I would approach them after they were finished and on their way out of the gym.”

— New York City —

Central Park is no stranger to the rich and famous; in fact, it’s practically their cardio playground. Free to enter, take your morning run to one of the most famous landmarks in the world and you’re sure to spot a name or two worth bragging about. Heidi Klum, Russell Simmons, and Gwyneth Paltrow are on the extremely short list of A-listers you’ll run or down-dog along with!

The Mark Hotel has a state-of-the-art fitness facility that rivals any gym getting your membership fees. Book your stay here, and your workout may coincide with that of Oprah, Sarah Silverman, Larry David, David Beckham, Jennifer Lopez, and even dignitaries like the President of France! (more…)

Posted on June 16, 2023 by Natalie K

7 Awesome Reasons Denver Residents Look and Feel So Good

I’ve lived in Denver for one month now, and by the end of the first week it was clear to me why Colorado as a state and Denver as a city own the top of the healthiest lists. From activity to fresh air and an attitude that supports wellness, how could anyone not feel their best here?

Year after year, Colorado remains at the top of the list for healthiest states. The CDC’s map of obesity trends starts in 1985, and it wasn’t until 1990 that Colorado even showed up for having less than 10 percent of its population qualify as obese. The most current map is from 2024 and puts Colorado as one of only nine states with an obesity population under 25 percent. Fitness and hiking clothes seem to be The Official Denver Outfit, as everyone at brunch, the park, the grocery store, and the office seem to be dressed down and ready to move!

While there are no doubt more, these are seven killer reasons that Denver residents look and feel so darn good!

Very Bicycle Friendly. I’m confident I’ve seen more bicycles in the last four weeks than I’ve seen in the last four years. Whether for commutes, fun, or exercise, bicycles own the roads in Denver. As recent as 2024, bicycle commuters were 2.4 percent of Denver’s population, a number up 183% since 1990. Bike racks and lanes exist everywhere, making it a no-brainer for cyclists to get out and ride to work, to the grocery store, or just out for fun. B-Cycle has 83 rental stations and 700 bikes throughout the city, making it pretty impossible not to bike.

Vegetarian Food Abounds. You can throw a stone and find vegetarian and even vegan dining options. Bonnie Brae makes a titillating homemade vegan ice cream, Native Foods has a mock fast food menu that will knock your socks off, and the locally-based Chipotle even puts sofritas (organic tofu braised with chilis and spices) on the menu. Every restaurant we’ve visited (and there have been a lot!) has hearty vegetarian options that even the most carnivorous will consider noshing on. The Goodness Truck roams around near Ft. Collins serving their grilled brie sandwich — to die! And all around the area you can dine at farm to table events. (more…)

Posted on June 16, 2023 by Natalie K

Work it Off: 3 Ways to Negate the 620 Calories in a Gooey Cinnamon Roll

Few things smell better than a cinnamon roll fresh out of the oven. (Cinnabon continues to bank on this one basic fact!) That’s one of the reasons I avoid a certain bakery in my neighborhood. Even walking in front of the building makes my mouth water—the cinnamon rolls smell (and taste!) that good.

But sometimes I give in, as I did earlier this week. The sweet scent was just too good to pass up. Of course, this came at a cost. Like, a really big cost: 620 delicious calories, to be exact, which is higher than pretty much any other treat I’ve learned how to burn off—even donuts and biscuits and gravy.

So, how could I help rid my body of the extra 620 calories?

I could have done hot yoga for 149 minutes. (Okay scratch that—I can barely stand 60 minutes in that heat!)

(more…)

Posted on June 15, 2023 by Jessica Cassity

Workouts and Wine: The Newest Trend in Napa

You might assume that a trip to wine country means that you have to kiss your weight loss and wellness goals goodbye. But that’s not the case. In addition to breathtaking views, tours of the vineyards, and all the vino a girl can handle, hotels and resorts in wine havens like Sonoma, Napa, and Santa Barbara are adding health and fitness components to the already perfect weekend package. (Talk about making a good thing even better!) Think green smoothies by the pool, bike rides through the vineyards, grape-themed spa treatments, and Pilates classes….all with a glass of wine in hand, of course.

So where should you go? Here are three places we learned about in a recent article on The Huffington Post:

Wine, Women, and Wellness

The Westin Verasa in Napa to learn about the growing demand for fitness and wellness activities for their guests. They now host a “Wine, Women and Wellness” event during Women’s History Month in March, celebrating women’s health and female winemakers. Seminars included demonstrations from raw food chefs, yoga instructors, and makeup artists who create products from the antioxidant-rich byproduct of wine: grape seeds. They even staff a Running Concierge. That is correct: it is someone’s job to guide you through the many paths and trails for a walk or run through wine country. They can ever lend you running shoes! Talk about eliminating excuses.

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Posted on May 27, 2023 by Katie McGrath

5 Things You do that Erase the Benefits of a Yoga Class

Picture a serene room full of calm smiles, deep breaths, and mindful movements and you have an idyllic yoga setting. Peaceful instrumental music strums in the background as the sunlight peaks through the windows. Sounds perfect, right? Like just the place for tranquility and happiness! So why do some yoga sessions make you feel more stressed out afterward? Here’s a hint: It’s not about the setting. And it’s all about you. Here are 5 things you may be doing to sabotage the success of your yoga class, and easy fixes for each.

1. You Arrive Late
Nothing disrupts the first sun salutation like rushing in a few minutes late, squishing in between the rows to find a spot for your mat, and attempting to collect yourself after class has already begun. The first and last few minutes of class are arguably the most important and beneficial for your mental and physical health: crucial moments to slow down and check in with your mind and body.

Instead? Shoot for setting up your mat 10-15 minutes BEFORE the class is set to start. Use this time as much deserved “me-time” to stretch, close your eyes, do whatever you need to do to set your day aside and focus on what your yoga practice may bring you that day.

2. You Compete with Your Neighbor
Your yoga practice should be just that: yoga PRACTICE. This means there is no good or bad, right or wrong way to do it. As long as your alignment is safe, and you are not bringing harm to yourself or others, all is fair game. It might be tempting to check out the skinny-mini with her designer tank top in the front row (…how is her Warrior II lunge that low?!), but you’re not doing anyone any favors, especially yourself.

Instead? Keep your eyes closed if you have to, and focus on how your practice feels on the inside, rather than how it looks on the outside.
3. You Add to Your Mental To-Do List
Inhale arms up (“eggs, milk, spinach”), exhale forward fold (“run to the bank, fold my laundry”). Does this sound like your internal monologue during your class? It can be tempting to tune out and let your body to the work while your mind wanders. But the most powerful part of these 60 to 90 minutes are arguably your work on staying present.

Instead? Set your to-do list aside because you can always pick it up the second class ends. But for now, connect your breath and movements together so tightly that there is no room for any other thoughts.
(more…)

Posted on May 21, 2023 by Katie McGrath

Tag Archives: Yoga

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