Rocketmen and women, jelly fish in Williamsburg and lots of eyeballs. 
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Friday, October 29, 2010
Some help with insomnia
Shakti Mudra is great for when you have trouble falling asleep.
How to do it: Put the tips of the ring fingers and little fingers together. Middle and first finger are bent downwards and the thumb is placed over them. Done with slow breathing and focus on the pelvic area.
I took great Yoga class today at Atmananda. We worked on lots of advanced poses like bird of paradise, peacock and scorpion. I didn't expect to, but I actually got my scorpion today! I was working so much on focusing that BAM! There it was. But I got kinda scared and got out of it right away. AHH that weird "AHA moment, it strangely freaks me out. Check out my break down of scorpion in a previous post here.
How to do it: Put the tips of the ring fingers and little fingers together. Middle and first finger are bent downwards and the thumb is placed over them. Done with slow breathing and focus on the pelvic area.
I took great Yoga class today at Atmananda. We worked on lots of advanced poses like bird of paradise, peacock and scorpion. I didn't expect to, but I actually got my scorpion today! I was working so much on focusing that BAM! There it was. But I got kinda scared and got out of it right away. AHH that weird "AHA moment, it strangely freaks me out. Check out my break down of scorpion in a previous post here.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
TRX and Prithivi Mudra
Last night I took a TRX class. It was so hard! If you check out the link, its basically suspension straps that you use to do exercises with your own body weight. Basic ones are planks, push-ups, and lunges. But there are lots of other cool exercises that can really kick your ass. Just started offering it at Five Points! I also tried it at Nimble Fitness which is expensive but more of a semi-private type of studio.
And now onto Prithivi Mudra aka Earth Mudra. Join the tips of your ring finger and your thumb together, then extend the other fingers. Same on both hands. This is great for restoring equilibrium and self assurance. And for fun, the last picture is my half bound, kneeling lunge. One day I will make the full backbend!
And now onto Prithivi Mudra aka Earth Mudra. Join the tips of your ring finger and your thumb together, then extend the other fingers. Same on both hands. This is great for restoring equilibrium and self assurance. And for fun, the last picture is my half bound, kneeling lunge. One day I will make the full backbend!
Jump backs and Jump forwards
Have you ever been in a Yoga class and in the front of the room you watch these intense Yoga guys do their vinyasas like they're flying in the air? I mean they fly up into a hand stand and weightlessly land into a perfect chattarunga. Then when they come forward from downward facing dog they fly up again into a perfect handstand, hover weightlessly, effortlessly then slowly land with their feet right there behind their hands. OK well its not always guys, I have seen some amazing women do it but men with their upper body strength..you know. Whatever the case maybe, its frigggin amazing and beautiful to watch. It is also a dream of mine to be able to do it.
My jump backs are much better than my jump forwards but on either end I haven't been attempting handstands really. I can't even really do a handstand without the safety of a wall behind me, which could be part of the problem. Also my hamstrings are sometimes so tight I can't be in uttanasana and have my hands planted completely flat...more like finger tips. Well, here is a video I think is helpful though it still seems this is one of those things that just take a lot of practice!
My jump backs are much better than my jump forwards but on either end I haven't been attempting handstands really. I can't even really do a handstand without the safety of a wall behind me, which could be part of the problem. Also my hamstrings are sometimes so tight I can't be in uttanasana and have my hands planted completely flat...more like finger tips. Well, here is a video I think is helpful though it still seems this is one of those things that just take a lot of practice!
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Dr. Michael Greger's Nutrition of 2010 in Review!
Michael Greger, M.D., is a physician, author, and internationally recognized professional speaker on a number of important public health issues. Dr. Greger has lectured at the Conference on World Affairs, the National Institutes of Health, and the International Bird Flu Summit, among countless other symposia and institutions, and was invited as an expert witness in defense of Oprah Winfrey at the infamous "meat defamation" trial. Currently Dr. Greger proudly serves as the Director of Public Health and Animal Agriculture at the Humane Society of the United States.
Come see and hear him speak Pine Tree Spa
When: Mon, Nov 1. 7-9pm
Suggested Donation: $10
More about Dr. Michael Greger:
Dr. Greger's recent scientific publications in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Biosecurity and Bioterrorism, Critical Reviews in Microbiology, Family & Community Health, and the International Journal of Food Safety, Nutrition, and Public Health explore the public health implications of industrialized animal agriculture.
Dr. Greger is also licensed as a general practitioner specializing in clinical nutrition and was a founding member of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. He was featured on the Healthy Living Channel promoting his latest nutrition DVDs and honored to teach part of Dr. T. Colin Campbell's esteemed nutrition course at Cornell University.
Dr. Greger's books include Bird Flu: A Virus of Our Own Hatching, Carbophobia: The Scary Truth Behind America's Low Carb Craze, and Heart Failure: Diary of a Third Year Medical Student. Dr. Greger is a graduate of the Cornell University School of Agriculture and the Tufts University School of Medicine.
Come see and hear him speak Pine Tree Spa
101 W 17th Street 2nd Floor (17th & 6th Ave)
New York, NY
When: Mon, Nov 1. 7-9pm
Suggested Donation: $10
More about Dr. Michael Greger:
Dr. Greger's recent scientific publications in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Biosecurity and Bioterrorism, Critical Reviews in Microbiology, Family & Community Health, and the International Journal of Food Safety, Nutrition, and Public Health explore the public health implications of industrialized animal agriculture.
Dr. Greger is also licensed as a general practitioner specializing in clinical nutrition and was a founding member of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. He was featured on the Healthy Living Channel promoting his latest nutrition DVDs and honored to teach part of Dr. T. Colin Campbell's esteemed nutrition course at Cornell University.
Dr. Greger's books include Bird Flu: A Virus of Our Own Hatching, Carbophobia: The Scary Truth Behind America's Low Carb Craze, and Heart Failure: Diary of a Third Year Medical Student. Dr. Greger is a graduate of the Cornell University School of Agriculture and the Tufts University School of Medicine.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Shin splints and funky toe shoes.
I once got this really annoying injury called plantar fasciitis not from running but from walking around in flat shoes for an entire winter, when I tried to go back to normal shoes, the problem arose. Now this happened to me because I have a bit of an arch and my feet do not like flat shoes, especially ballet flats. My feet really like to either be barefoot or in a good sturdy 2.5-3" heel. I am not a doctor or anything, but I know what my body likes. Something we constantly have to remember in Yoga in order to prevent injury. Well I went to a podiatrist and he told me in order to allow it to heel I was to stay off heels. Well I will tell you the problem did not even begin to get better for 2 weeks. I could barely walk until I finally decided to walk around my house in comfortable heels...fixed in 1 week!
However, when I tried to get back onto the treadmill I started getting shin splints. One of the most annoying injuries ever because it takes forever to heal itself and it feels pretty miserable. I all together gave up running for a long time and though I sort of hate running, I do get runners high and I feel awesome after finishing a run. Lastly running is one of the few exercises where I see immediate results in my weight. After careful examination on the whole running situation I started to see that I was a heel striker. When I'm in running sneakers, I would strike my heel down first, then slap the rest of my foot down. I read all kinds of stuff about it but I also realized how much it applied to me. If I got on a treadmill with running shoes and tried to run for 10min at the speed of 5, I would feel the shin splints. I noticed in Capoeira class they had us warm up by running around on a wood floor barefoot, no pain. I started to realize, when I was barefoot I was no longer landing heel first. Further researching the whole thing I came upon theses weird toe shoes...Vibram 5 fingers. They have totally changed my whole view on running. I LOVE them. I still hate the task of running but once I get going and finish I feel pretty awesome. I don't recommend this for everyone, but it totes works for me! I have 2 pairs.
Above is the pair I use to run outdoors, which I do once in a blue moon. I have a friend who runs outdoors in them regularly, up to 10 miles...and then any more than that she swaps them for running shoes, but ultimately goes back and forth bc the Vibrams trained her to run more properly, thus preventing injuries. This also greatly helped my knee pains. Heel striking was really hard on my joints!
Now 2 great poses for shin splints.
1. Sarvangasana. Shoulder stand. Yeah one of my least favorites but I am pushing myself to do it more and more.
Lie flat on your back with arms by your sides, palms press down to the floor. Swing the hips and legs over head. Try to straighten legs, and flex feet, try to get the feet to touch the floor behind you. Interlace the fingers and walk the shoulders in towards each other. Now bring the hands to the lower back. Make sure you're not on your neck but you are on your shoulders. Bring legs straight up.
2. Viparita Karani. Legs up the wall pose. Sit with one side against the wall, legs extended, with one leg touching the wall. Lie down on your back and swing legs upward, positioning your butt where the floor and wall meet. It also feels really good to put a pillow or bolster under your sacrum.
These poses are both great to stay in for a long time as it allows the blood to flow back to your center, which helps the inflammation from the shin splints. Try it! Legs up the wall is also generally a great alternative to headstand or handstand.
However, when I tried to get back onto the treadmill I started getting shin splints. One of the most annoying injuries ever because it takes forever to heal itself and it feels pretty miserable. I all together gave up running for a long time and though I sort of hate running, I do get runners high and I feel awesome after finishing a run. Lastly running is one of the few exercises where I see immediate results in my weight. After careful examination on the whole running situation I started to see that I was a heel striker. When I'm in running sneakers, I would strike my heel down first, then slap the rest of my foot down. I read all kinds of stuff about it but I also realized how much it applied to me. If I got on a treadmill with running shoes and tried to run for 10min at the speed of 5, I would feel the shin splints. I noticed in Capoeira class they had us warm up by running around on a wood floor barefoot, no pain. I started to realize, when I was barefoot I was no longer landing heel first. Further researching the whole thing I came upon theses weird toe shoes...Vibram 5 fingers. They have totally changed my whole view on running. I LOVE them. I still hate the task of running but once I get going and finish I feel pretty awesome. I don't recommend this for everyone, but it totes works for me! I have 2 pairs.
Above is the pair I use to run outdoors, which I do once in a blue moon. I have a friend who runs outdoors in them regularly, up to 10 miles...and then any more than that she swaps them for running shoes, but ultimately goes back and forth bc the Vibrams trained her to run more properly, thus preventing injuries. This also greatly helped my knee pains. Heel striking was really hard on my joints!
Now 2 great poses for shin splints.
1. Sarvangasana. Shoulder stand. Yeah one of my least favorites but I am pushing myself to do it more and more.
Lie flat on your back with arms by your sides, palms press down to the floor. Swing the hips and legs over head. Try to straighten legs, and flex feet, try to get the feet to touch the floor behind you. Interlace the fingers and walk the shoulders in towards each other. Now bring the hands to the lower back. Make sure you're not on your neck but you are on your shoulders. Bring legs straight up.
2. Viparita Karani. Legs up the wall pose. Sit with one side against the wall, legs extended, with one leg touching the wall. Lie down on your back and swing legs upward, positioning your butt where the floor and wall meet. It also feels really good to put a pillow or bolster under your sacrum.
These poses are both great to stay in for a long time as it allows the blood to flow back to your center, which helps the inflammation from the shin splints. Try it! Legs up the wall is also generally a great alternative to headstand or handstand.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
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