Yoga

March 28, 2013 In Fitness, News, Yoga By Vancouver Health Coach

5 Ways Yoga Can Relieve Chronic Back Pain

Chronic low back pain is one of the most common causes of pain in the United States and Canada. This condition otherwise referred to as (LBP) can be the result of injuries, arthritis, pregnancy, herniated discs, stress that causes tension and poor posture. While the number of people suffering from back pain increases, so does the rate of over the counter medications used to relieve the pain. There is however, another option that can help chronic back pain sufferers and it is not available by prescription, but is practiced on a yoga mat. In a research study by ClinicalTrials.gov yoga...

March 4, 2013 In Holistic Health, News, Yoga By Vancouver Health Coach

What is Ayurvedic Medicine?

Ayurveda is a holistic healing science that originates from the ancient Vedic tradition of India. The word Ayurveda is the combination on two words, Ayu and Veda. Ayu means life and Veda means knowledge or science. So the definition of Ayurveda is the science of life. This healing science deals with the prevention of disease through a deeper connection with mind and body and is a complete way of life. Good to know: The Ayurvedic philosophy on health is more than just the prevention of disease; it is a life full of energy and balance. With a combination of physical, psychological and...

December 19, 2012 In Green & Healthy Living, News, Spotlight, Yoga By Vancouver Health Coach

Do You Sweat Too Much in Yoga?

While a true yoga practice incorporates more than just rigorous asana, there is no doubt that a heart-pumping Ashtanga Vinyasa or Power Yoga class is great for burning calories and shedding pounds. There are even more reasons to sweat when you do yoga, though, and the following are three good ones! The skin is the largest detoxing organ  It isn’t the liver, bladder or intestines, surprisingly. We live in an environment that is unfortunately filled with toxic chemicals. We take them in via the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we bathe in and drink. While you can...

September 28, 2012 In News, Spotlight, Yoga By Vancouver Health Coach

Yoga vs. Pilates: The Best Workout For Flexibility

There has to be amazing reasons why so many individuals choose either take yoga or pilates to get fit, tone up, and even lose a significant amount of weight. After countless attempts with lifting weights, running, and various other workout regiments, many are realizing the ultimate differences between yoga vs. pilates, and how each offer similar yet unique benefits. Certainly a majority of people will prefer to immediately start with the most effective form of exercise for them, instead of wasting time trying and learning just to give it up later. Most are not aware of the differences between the...

April 30, 2012 In Family Fitness, News, Spotlight, Yoga By Vancouver Health Coach

Yoga After Pregnancy: Get in Shape with Peaceful Postnatal Practice

Starting a physical activity program after pregnancy provides numerous physical and mental benefits to new mothers, and yoga is an excellent form of exercise for this special time in life. In general, new mothers should wait six weeks after giving birth before starting a fitness program. It is important to get approval from a physician before starting a new program of physical activity, particularly if the baby was delivered by c-section, or if there were complications with the birth. Pregnancy has profound health effects on a woman’s body and mind, and practicing yoga helps her regain physical strength and fitness...

December 16, 2011 In Emotional Health, News, Spotlight, Yoga By Vancouver Health Coach

The beautiful benefits of Iyengar yoga: Helping both the mind and body

Iyengar yoga is one of the most popular forms of yoga in the United States. Created by Shri B.K.S. Iyengar, this type of yoga is particularly well-suited for people with back problems and for people who suffer from stress (two conditions that often go together). Iyengar yoga has been around for over 60 years, and since it is a form of yoga, it is based on practices that are thousands of years old. It is one of the most effective yoga forms for people who want to cope with mental and spiritual stress. Excellent posture, balance, and relaxation are major...

August 19, 2011 In Fitness, News, Spotlight, Yoga By Vancouver Health Coach

Journey into grace with Anusara yoga

In 2007 a profound betrayal and subsequent loss of my best friend plunged me into the darkest years of my life. Despite my anguish, I somehow mustered up the strength to make the bold (or arguably stupid!) decision of moving across country to Los Angeles, in part to fight for love, only to find myself rejected and abandoned, jobless, friendless, and completely alone. The years that followed can only adequately be described as a truly “dark night of the soul”. After almost a year of endless tears, sleepless nights and an inability to eat much of substance, almost as an act...

July 11, 2011 In Fitness, News, Spotlight, Yoga By Vancouver Health Coach

Handstands for Energy

Yoga is primarily associated with calming the mind and inducing relaxation, but your mat is also a good place to turn when you need a boost of energy. Three o’clock rolls around so you resort to a shot of caffeine to get you through the last couple hours at work. A few hours later, you’re on the couch and coming up with excuses why you should just stay there for the rest of the evening instead of hitting the gym. Energy spikes and plummets throughout the day are very common with the “normal” high-caffeine, high-refined carbohydrate diet to which we’ve grown accustomed...

June 20, 2011 In News, Spotlight, Yoga By Vancouver Health Coach

Backbending Safely Through Your Yoga Practice

Backbending is a natural range of motion for the spine. Over time the spine gets a lot more forward bending flection from everyday activities. It is important to balance all the daily forward bending with a few backbends. Backbending yoga postures can help counteract pressure from the spine. When doing these back bends safely you can experience a sense of freedom. Practicing back bends also involves an element of courage; it is not always easy at first. A few beginner backbending yoga poses to start with are Ustrasana (camel pose) and Bhujangasana (cobra pose) it is important to be cautious when...

March 29, 2010 In Fitness, News, Spotlight, Yoga By Vancouver Health Coach

The Cooler Side of Yoga: Yin Yoga

“Yin” yoga classes are popping up all over the place, but the style is often misunderstood by those who have yet to experience a session. The misunderstanding is, well, understandable since while passing by a class one witnesses serene looking people-pods doing seemingly nothing but tugging the tail of the cat for five or 10 minutes at a time. But anyone who has hung out in Sleeping Swan for any duration will be quick to tell you that yin yoga is definitely not going to rock you gently into Shavasana. Quite the contrary – yin yoga is deceptively aggressive in its...