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How to keep up your yoga practice on the road

2016Apr25_Yoga_AMany yoga practitioners love to travel, but, despite good intentions, keeping up with the practice while on the road can be challenging. As you explore new places, cultures and foods, it’s easy to forget about the routines of your normal life, yoga being one of them. So how can you maintain your yoga practice while traveling? It all starts with being prepared and following these simple guidelines.

Pack your yoga gear

You’re traveling, so you don’t need to pack every single yoga item and accessory you have. Instead, think essentials: yoga towel, comfortable clothing to practice in and, of course, your yoga mat. And speaking of yoga mat, avoid packing the one you normally bring to class. Instead, see if you can find a light, more compact yoga mat that doesn’t take up too much space in your suitcase.

Practice early

When you travel it’s easy for plans to change as you discover the new and unexpected. While this is one of the joys of traveling, it can also be very disruptive to your yoga practice. So try practicing first thing in the morning. By doing this, there’s no chance you’ll accidentally skip your practice due to distractions later in the day and you’ll also feel more present and centered for all the new experiences ahead of you.

Find classes in the area you’re traveling

Of course, if you’d rather experience the local yoga culture instead of practicing solo in your hotel, you can also find a class. There are a couple ways you can go about this. You can check notice boards at visitor or shopping centers, ask the receptionist at your hotel or other locals, or simply Google yoga classes in your area.

Stay at hotels that offer classes

If you want to attend a class while traveling, but don’t want to bother with the hassle of finding one on your own, an alternative option is to simply stay at accommodation that offers classes. While this may sound difficult, more and more hotels, lodges and guesthouses are featuring this as a perk to staying with them. If you have yet to book your accommodation, add “yoga” as a keyword when searching for a place to stay.

Find creative places to practice

You’ve surely seen images of people practicing yoga in exotic beach destinations, in the mountains or on a pier overlooking crystal clear waters. Why can’t you do the same? But don’t let your imagination stop you there, you can roll out your yoga mat in just about any place that can accommodate it. So think outside the box. You can try yoga in an airport lounge, on the grass at a highway rest stop, or even in the town square of your destination amidst the fountains and tourists. Sure you may garner some odd stares from passerbyers, but it can also be a fun alternative to the norm. Remember you’re traveling and you’ll likely never see these people again, so why not be that yoga weirdo in love with her practice?

Maintaining your yoga practice while traveling doesn’t have to be a burden. While you may not be able to stick to your regular routine, there are plenty of opportunities to have fun with your practice. And when you get back, we’ll be happy to hear about your adventures and ready to welcome you in our classes. Until then, happy travels.

Published with permission from FitnessAdvisory. Source.

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Is your Yoga Teacher Making these Mistakes?

Yoga_Dec28_AOf course, it takes a lot of time, dedication and effort to become a fitness instructor, whatever discipline you are primarily working in. But as in any industry some people are simply better suited to their role than others. Whether that’s through not keeping up with developments in their field, a tendency to believe anything spouted by a so-called authority without doing their own research, or simply not having the passion that a career in the industry demands, ultimately the person negatively affected is you. So what are the signs you should look out for that tell you that you might need to change yoga teachers?

Despite starting out with all the best will in the world the problem is that, as with any job, it can sometimes be tempting to tell the customer what they want to hear. Whether that’s down to wanting to close a sale or due to misinformation that sounds customer-friendly but is not actually based on any facts. The problem is, being sold a perfume that doesn’t make good on its promise to make you irresistible to the opposite sex and signing up for a yoga class that does you more harm than good are two very different things. The first is a waste of money at best (although at least you smell nice) but the second could be physically harming you.

The fact is yoga is a scientific practice which needs to integrate biomechanics – the study of a structure such as the human body. A good yoga instructor understands this and knows how to incorporate research in this field into their classes. In a quality yoga class you will not find your teacher spouting vague, flowery terms that have no grounding in biomechanics. Therefore if you’ve noticed your teacher offering pearls of ‘wisdom’ such as “shoulder stands increase activity in the brain” you might want to consider switching studios. No one is saying your instructor doesn’t mean well – they believe what they are telling you. They just haven’t thought to investigate why they are saying it. Worse, they could be putting you in danger.

Here are some other things that should be raising red flags:

Your yoga teacher is piling on the pressure

Manipulating the body to force it into an ideal of what a pose ‘should look like’ is an all round no-no. If your body is unable to attain a pose, no one is qualified or has the right to force you into a position that you find uncomfortable or are downright unable to achieve. Going deeper into your poses is something that you should work towards naturally and at a rate that feels right for you. Consider that a massage therapist undergoes intensive training and must apply for a license before they lay even a finger on a client and compare that to a yoga instructor fresh out of their 200-hour training course forcing you into a position that frankly may be dangerous for you to attempt.

Your teacher tells you yoga is the be all and end all of exercise

Yoga is hugely beneficial for people of all ages and fitness levels; that’s not up for debate, but what is, are teachers who claim that you’re getting all the physical activity you need in your yoga class. You spend an entire yoga class on your mat – this fact alone says that you are not being subjected to the range of physical movement you need to live your life to the fullest. For example, yoga will not help you develop muscles that enable you to run faster – whether you’re pounding the treadmill or sprinting for the bus.

No yoga class is complete without head and/or shoulder stands

There has been a lot of media attention given to the so-called benefits of shoulder and headstands lately and many rookie instructors feel that a yoga class is missing an integral part if they are not included. Furthermore the same teachers usually believe that holding stands for a long count is mandatory too. The problem is the claims that are being made about head and shoulder stands’ magical effects are not backed by any kind of scientific research. In fact, many instructors do not include stands in the practice, at least in general classes, for the simple reason that an average student will not have adequate neck muscles to support their body weight. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work out that a head or shoulder stand performed incorrectly can put serious stress on the neck and lead to an accident or long term damage.

Your teacher tells you yoga gives you longer, leaner muscles

If you want to burn fat and achieve an overall sleeker look, of course yoga is only going to push you towards your goal, but the length of your muscles actually have everything to do with the length of your bones, and precious little to do with the downward dog.

If you’d rather know that you are practicing yoga in a safe, jargon-free, supportive and professional environment, talk to us today. Our highly qualified instructors are always happy to answer any concerns or queries you might have.

Published with permission from FitnessAdvisory. Source.

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6 gifts to give your yogi

There is more to yoga gift-giving than buying a mat. Of course, there is nothing wrong with giving your favorite yogi a top-of-the-line mat, but plopping down ten dollars for a beginner’s mat at your local big box store simply won’t cut it. So, what exactly are some of the more thoughtful items you can give your yogi? We take a look at six of the best yoga gifts out right now.

Buying a gift for the yogi in your life can be intimidating, especially if you don’t know what exactly you’re looking for. That is why we have compiled this simple guide to help you find the perfect yoga gift.

Yoga backpack or tote

One of the most difficult things for yogis is finding a way to carry their mat, towel, yoga clothes and the rest of their supplies to and from class. There are now specific tote bags and backpacks designed to make it easy to carry around all your yoga gear. These make a great gift for the yoga practitioner who may have to use the subway or bus to get to yoga class, and who doesn’t want to have to awkwardly carry everything around.

Skidless yoga towel

To the untrained eye, a skidless yoga towel looks a lot like a really thin beach towel. The reality is that these special towels are absolute lifesavers for people who get a little sweaty during yoga class. They connect to a yoga mat, providing extra grip and traction for users, while soaking up sweat. They are especially good for a person who practices hot yoga.

Bandana

Are you the secret santa for someone who enjoys practicing a little yoga? A simple yet stylish bandana is a gift that is both practical and relatively inexpensive. Bandanas are ideal for use during yoga class, since they can help absorb sweat and keep it out of a person’s eyes. While a normal bandana can work, there are also several bandanas and headbands available that are made with fabrics designed specifically for use during yoga.

Yoga books and DVDs

Do you know someone who enjoys yoga but may not have the time to get to a yoga class, or who may be too embarrassed to go to one on their own? There are lots of books and instructional videos out there that can help everyone from beginners to experts practice yoga from the comfort of their own home.

Yoga retreat

If you are really looking to impress the yogi in your life, there is no gift more thoughtful than sending them to a yoga retreat. The length of the retreat can vary from one day to one week, and each event will have a special goal or focus. It should be noted that a lot yoga retreats tend to be for more experienced yoga practitioners, and so make a better gift for those dedicated to the craft. There are beginner retreats available, though, so it is always good to ask about the required skill level before booking a place as a gift for another person.

Yoga classes

If all else fails, there is nothing wrong with heading down to the yoga studio and buying a gift certificate for your friend or loved one. You know they are going to use it, and it’s convenient for you to buy as well. Sure, it may not be the most thoughtful gift in the world, but there is nothing wrong with being practical every once in a while.

We’re positive the yogi in your life will love whatever you end up giving them. And if you or someone you know is interested in taking some yoga classes, gives us a call or stop by. We’d love to be able to share yoga with you.

Published with permission from FitnessAdvisory. Source.

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Don’t be afraid of yoga!

yoga_Jan27_APerhaps because of the images of pretzel-shaped poses or the connection with more mindful inner workings, yoga, despite its massive popularity, can intimidate many would-be beneficiaries. If you are afraid of yoga then it is probably because you don’t understand what it is about and just how fantastic it is!

What do you think of yoga?

Despite attracting legions of avid fitness fans, yoga is often seen as being for a certain type of person only: a woman who doesn’t really want to keep fit but likes a more leisurely approach to exercise. It is also often seen as being ‘hippy’ or even ‘far-out’ because of some of the meditative breathing exercises and the fact that yoga is about making mind-body connections. Yoga is often viewed as being too difficult to enjoy or benefit from and an exercise for the super-bendy! The fact is that none of these ideas are true!

So what’s the truth about yoga in a nutshell?

Yoga attracts all types of people, of all ages and fitness levels. It is as popular with the corporate crowd looking for after-work fitness as it is with those looking for a more integrated mind-body workout. Yoga is challenging yet accessible and while it often lacks the cardio-power of such training as high intensity interval training (HIIT) it can be a perfect complement.

Yoga is in fact a perfect way to strengthen your core and to improve flexibility and inspire stability. This can help guard against injuries in other activities, explaining why yoga is so popular amongst top athletes.

With an ever growing focus on the negative impact on health of stress, there is nothing ‘hippy’ about addressing a very real threat to our wellbeing. Exercise can reduce stress levels and yoga is one of the best ways to clear the mind and inspire greater clarity. This cleansing effect is felt physically too, as yoga helps with the process of eliminating toxins from the body and the release of feel-good hormones.

Don’t shy away from yoga because you are:

  • Frightened of making a fool out of yourself – Yoga is focused on being non-judgemental which means it is perfect for those looking to get back into fitness.
  • Not flexible – Being flexible is not a sign that you are unfit. In many respects we all have a certain level of flexibility to begin with and yoga helps you improve that. Haven’t you ever met someone who is really bendy and yet does no exercise at all?
  • Worried about exposing your inner vulnerabilities – It is true that yoga can be incredibly transformative but this is about your own inner development and does not have to leave you feeling exposed. Yes, yoga may change some of your ideas and attitudes, as well as how you live your life, but yoga is about positive change and development is a natural process. Yoga is inspirational and you are likely to feel elated from the way that yoga helps relieve any mental tension.

The best way to face your fear of yoga is to try a class. Contact us if you are not already benefitting from the joy of yoga.

Published with permission from FitnessAdvisory. Source.

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Yoga strength with inversions!

yoga_Nov19_ASometimes you need to shake things up to get a fresh perspective on life and you can also do the same with yoga exercises. Creating a different approach to movement with yoga inversions can have some really beneficial effects on your mind and body, such as strengthening your core and so much more. Is it time you turned your fitness moves upside down?

A yoga inversion pose is basically a pose where your heart is higher than your head. If you think about your everyday life, when you walk, run or go about your chore and work, you are usually upright or at least you are not walking on your hands or doing a headstand. Inversions can really test you physically as they involve positions which seem to go against your natural way of moving. However, if a shoulder stand sounds a little advanced, there are many inversions, such as downward dog which are perhaps easier positions to get into.

What are the benefits of yoga inversions?

Yoga inversions get your body moving in a new direction and for this reason, it is always good to check with a doctor and your yoga tutor about any health issues you might have before you start turning your body upside down. Once you do start doing some inversions you will probably start to really enjoy them. Some of the benefits of yoga inversions include:

  • Improved circulation – When you invert you are effectively reversing the blood flow and as oxygen-rich is sent to the brain you are really giving your body a circulatory refresh. This can help boost concentration and focus and leave you feeling mentally alert. Many people swear a headstand in the morning gets their brain working for the rest of the day!
  • Increased core strength – With inversions you are often relying on your upper body to help you stay in position, such as with a forearm stand. You are keeping in position against gravity by engaging your core muscles and even without moving, yoga inversions are a great way to strengthen this part of your body. You only have to get into an inversion for a short time to really feel how powerful these yoga positions are, and how effective.
  • Relaxation – Supported-inversions and certain types of restorative inversions have more of a calming influence on the body, such as lying down with your legs up a wall. This relieves tension and stress in the body and activates the parasympathetic nervous system.
  • Boosting energy – More challenging inversions create a real rush of blood to the head which has a stimulating and invigorating effect on the whole body. This has the effect of giving your body a powerful energy boost which makes you feel motivated and ready for an active life. Inversions really do shake you up in a good way!
  • Increase stability and balance – For many inversions, you need to ensure that you keep your body in a balanced position. You may be upside down and balancing on one arm and two legs or one leg and two arms, or even just your shoulders. Part of the practice of inversions is to promote balance, especially since these are resistance exercises which need strong physical stability to be achieved.
  • Helps detox process – Many inversions increase the flow of lymph which helps clear the body of toxins, which are eliminated by the lymph nodes. The flow of fluids can help lymph travel into the lungs where toxins and mucus are found. The result is a real boost to the lymphatic system and in turn to your immunity response.

Next week, we will look at some great inversions for you to try. Meanwhile, join us in some great yoga moves.

Published with permission from FitnessAdvisory. Source.