Balance is the ability to maintain the body’s center of gravity over its base of support. Balance is both static (standing still or holding a yoga pose) and dynamic (walking, getting up out of a chair, dancing, or flowing in Vinyasa Yoga). Balance is achieved as the brain receives sensory input from three […]
What is Strength? Strength is: A. The ability of the neuromuscular system to produce internal tension to overcome an external force. B. The amount of force a muscle can exert against an external load (weights, bands, gravity, etc.). C. Dictated by the ability of the nervous system to recruit and activate muscles. D. My favorite […]
What is flexibility? The dictionary says it best: Flexibility is the ability to bend easily without breaking. Is Mobility the same thing? Perhaps you’ve heard the term mobility at the gym or on social media lately. This is not the same as flexibility. Mobility refers to ability to move safely and effectively through exercises, […]
Cardiorespiratory fitness is measured by VO2 max and refers to the ability of heart and lunges to deliver oxygen to the body. Cardiorespiratory efficiency is improved with activities that use large muscle groups and increase the heart rate: a brisk walk, Zumba, swimming, cycling, running, jumping rope, rowing, and even intense circuits of body weight […]
Being fit means being prepared and ready to meet the demands of a task. What is your task? Why are you exercising? If you’re like most people at the gym or in the yoga studio, you’re not a professional athlete and you’re not training for a competition. You’re there because you’ve figured out that exercise […]
We are motivated by both external and internal factors. We are extrinsically motivated when we complete a task solely to earn a reward, fulfill an obligation, or avoid negative consequences. Intrinsic motivation, however, means doing something for the sake of doing it. It’s the things we enjoy, the job we’d do even if we weren’t […]
Q: How do I get my heels down in downward facing dog? A: Here’s the big secret: Your heels never have to touch the ground in downward facing dog. In fact, there’s a very good chance that if your heels are touching the floor, your back is out of alignment. Unless you are very flexible […]
Q: Why do my wrists hurt in yoga? A: If you’re experiencing joint pain, it’s always a good idea to have it checked out by your doctor first. Provided there are no major issues, here are some reasons you could be experiencing pain in your wrists in yoga poses such as plank, quadruped, and chatarunga: First, […]
I do not run. When one of my corporate fitness students heard this, she asked, “Then what do you do for cardio?” For a lot of people, running is their go-to cardio. And some of these people do like to run. But for those of us that don’t, there are other options […]
In the previous two posts, I demonstrated exercises and stretches to correct poor posture in the upper body. In this post, I’ll show you the best self-myofascial release techniques using a LAX ball, a pair of Yoga Tune-Up Therapy Balls, and a foam roller to help address your posture issues. Foam Roll Thoracic Spine: This is the part of […]
