Yoga Tag

July 9, 2014 In News, Spotlight, Yoga By Vancouver Health Coach

Which Yoga Practice fits You Best? Yoga for Different Needs

Although the positive effects of yoga on the human body can be significant, yoga should not be thought of as just another fitness program. Yoga is about uniting the whole person: body, mind, and spirit. It is not a competition, and yoga teachers are not like a typical fitness coach. Yoga teachers are also students, and they are always in the process of practicing and learning. Yoga is for people at any point on their journey to a healthier, happier, more productive lifestyle. Different styles of yoga are available for people with different needs. Within the various types of yoga,...

June 26, 2014 In Green & Healthy Living, News, Spotlight, Yoga By Vancouver Health Coach

Can’t sleep? Yoga poses to get a good night’s rest

Yoga has so many benefits mentally, physically, and emotionally. Feeling stressed and overtired can be the inability to sleep soundly. At the end of the day we expect our bodies to shut down instantly and fall asleep. After a full day of energy-charging our bodies, it can be tough to wind down automatically. Television and computers do not help either with slowing down the nervous system. Many researchers claim that not getting enough sleep has many negative health consequences, such as raising your risk for cancer, heart disease, diabetes and even obesity. In addition to those, it also has an effect...

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...

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...

July 12, 2013 In News, Yoga By Vancouver Health Coach

Yoga 101: New to the Practice?

Although the word Yoga is quite common around the world it does not mean that everyone knows exactly what it means. In this article I will try to explain what Yoga really is (although once you begin on your journey, it can mean different things personally), how it relates to your health and happiness, and what to expect if you go to a yoga class. The word Yoga originates from the ancient Sanskrit language spoken by a religious group in India called the Brahmins. Yoga means “yolk” or “union” and further describes a practice involving discipline, balance, strength and flexibility. In...

May 10, 2013 In News, Product Reviews, Spotlight, Yoga By Vancouver Health Coach

A Journey in Kundalini Yoga: DVD Review

Yogis can be so dogmatic, even completely inflexible when it comes to the style of yoga they practice.  I know this, because I was one of those die-hard, one-style-all-the-time practitioners for years.  It was Ashtanga and Ashtanga only for me - until I couldn’t do Ashtanga anymore. A hand injury that has forced me to keep weight off of my left hand for over a year now, powerfully nudged me to take a look outside my yoga box. There is truth in the statement that even in injury there is blessing. For some reason, Kundalini arrived on my radar and it was...

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...

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...