Author:Vancouver Health Coach

November 4, 2013 In News, Spotlight, Yoga By Vancouver Health Coach

Yoga Cross-Training for Athletes: Integrate Yoga Practice into your Daily Training

When you watch your favorite athlete excelling on the playing field or court, you may actually be seeing the results of regular yoga practice. Athletes at the top of popular sports like baseball, basketball, football, surfing, and tennis often use yoga as part of their cross training regimen. Cross training helps athletes maintain overall athleticism and fitness. It can also alleviate any negative effects of constantly using the same muscle groups over and over. For example, in baseball, a pitcher uses a certain set of muscles repetitively while on the pitcher’s mound. Yoga, however, helps ensure that the entire body...

October 21, 2013 In Green & Healthy Living, News, Spotlight, Uncategorized, Yoga By Vancouver Health Coach

Yoga off the Mat: 5 Yoga Poses for Better Balance

Taking your yoga poses and practice off the mat to develop balance and awareness in all areas of life. Living a balanced life has become quite the buzz term these days, but what does living a balanced life really mean? In a culture that maintains such a hectic pace and has a hard time being still for even a short period of time, many of us often only become aware that our bodies and lives are not working because we have been literally stopped by illness or injury. Life has a wise way of resetting that which is not sustainable. So how...

October 16, 2013 In Fitness, Green & Healthy Living, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Neck and Back Pain: Avoiding Forward Head Syndrome

Forward head posture can be the root cause of all kinds of problems in the body, including headaches, jaw pain, neck pain and shoulder pain, and back pain. It makes good sense that the body works best if all the blocks are stacked up properly. Pelvis right over the legs instead of in front or behind, ribs over the pelvis instead of tilting backwards, and head over the ribs so the ear is lined up over the shoulder. Seems obvious, but most of us don’t seem to live there regularly. Our professions often mean that we are spending a lot of...

October 15, 2013 In Green & Healthy Living, Holistic Health, News By Vancouver Health Coach

Fighting Erectile Dysfunction with a Stroll Around the Block

With all of the commercials out there about “low T” and magic blue pills, it would be easy to think that erectile dysfunction (ED) is curable only by using plenty of meds. The reality for most men is something quite different. Many of the primary causes of Erectile Dysfunction are preventable. Even better, many of these causes have a treatment method in common with a highly effective Erectile Dysfunction treatment: exercise. The link between aging and a decreased sex drive is relatively well-known and not entirely unexpected. When low libido turns into genuine Erectile Dysfunction, however, it can’t usually be attributed entirely to...

August 26, 2013 In Fitness, News, Running, Spotlight, Uncategorized By Vancouver Health Coach

Dynamic Stretching for Recreational Runners

Alright folks, the running season is coming up.  With your local 10km charity runs, full or half marathons and recreational running clubs quickly approaching, it's time to hit the pavement and lace up those running shoes! I am a strong believer in having both a pre and post exercise stretching routine.  Stretching prepares the body for physical exertion and sports performance. There are two styles of stretching: Dynamic Stretching or Static Stretching. Dynamic Stretching increases range of movement, blood and oxygen flow to soft tissues prior to exertion and has been proven to reduce the risk of injury. Static Stretching used to be...

August 21, 2013 In Editor's Picks: Must Haves for Staying Healthy, Food and Recipes, Green & Healthy Living, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Vega Chlorella: Superfood for A Healthier Generation

What is Chlorella? One of the oldest forms of plant life on earth, chlorella is a unicellular, microscopic, fresh-water green algae, power-packed with nutrition. Chlorella is 68% complete protein, and contains rich stores of antioxidants, essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals and Chlorella Growth Factor (CGF). Chlorella has been extensively researched in Japan in connection with many of today’s key health concerns. As one of the most popular nutritional supplements in Japan, chlorella has earned its reputation as the ultimate green superfood. Boasting the highest concentration of chlorophyll of any known plant (3 times more per serving than spinach)2, chlorella contains many components essential...

August 14, 2013 In Green & Healthy Living, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Combatting Seasonal Affective Disorder

Some people are thrilled by the prospect of winter on the horizon. Snow sports, bundling up, and crisp, white days with sunshine reflecting everywhere. Yet others feel a familiar sense of dread as the days become shorter. Do you feel blue during the winter months? If you're someone who dreads winter because you've felt sad and low for the past few winters, you may be naturally susceptible to Seasonal Affective Disorder. Symptoms include decreased energy, increased carbohydrate cravings, hopelessness, apathy and a low, blue outlook on life. Some researchers believe that the mood variations occur due to a lack of light. Anthropological...

August 14, 2013 In News, Yoga By Vancouver Health Coach

OH, mmmmm: Bringing the Sexy Back Through Yoga

The relationship between yoga and sex runs much deeper than tiny moisture-wicking briefs and push-up bra tops. Yogis have long honoured sexual expression, pleasure and control within their practice. The Root Chakra (Muladhara) is one of the seven main energy channels as described in traditional Indian medicine and is located at our base between the genitals and anus. Women can bring sensation to this area performing Kegel exercises (the same muscle movement used to stop urination midstream), and men bring awareness to this area by way of the muscles responsible for controlling ejaculation. Energy flow through the Root Chakra is believed...

August 12, 2013 In Eliminating Toxins, Food and Recipes, Holistic Health, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Which Hormone Is the Culprit for Fat Distribution?

Contrary to popular belief, hormones play a greater role in weight control than calories do. If you are trying to lose weight, it would make sense to focus your efforts on controlling the hormone responsible for your excess weight. Most people that decide they want to lose weight try the "eat less, exercise more" approach, and a few people get results. Many others just feel hungry and tired, not to mention frustrated. Eating less calories than one burns might work for some, but if the diet is not sufficient in protein, vitamins and minerals, the body will reallocate its resources eating up...

August 7, 2013 In News, Product Reviews, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Bellabaci Cups Product Review

Cellulite.  The very word sends shivers of loathing through my entire being.  Stubborn, unsightly and truthfully – incurable, cellulite plagues most people on some area of their body.  It can be discouraging as a fitness, health and wellness devotee to still struggle with this cosmetic condition, even when adhering to a healthy diet and exercise program. Although it is not completely remediable, the look of cellulite can be improved with topical treatments – and I’ve personally tried a lot of them!  I was recently sent the Bellabaci Massage System for the face and body.  Based on Chinese Cupping Therapy, Bellabaci utilizes...