Tag Archives: muscle

The Importance of Proper Breathing

One of the things I really enjoy about my Wii Fit Plus is that it draws my attention to aspects of fitness I might not otherwise think about, such as my posture and “Don’t forget to breathe.” I remember the first time I heard my virtual yoga instructor tell me to not forget to breathe. I thought, “Well of course, I would be dead” but there is more to it than just breathing to stay alive. What happens is that if you aren’t properly breathing while exercising, it can cause you to get an ache in your chest. Part of … Continue reading →

What Will Yoga Do For Me?

Yoga is a great form of exercise that will help your body in several ways. Yoga has amazing health benefits for your body. * Your breathing. The breathing that is practiced in yoga is known as Pranayama. The attention is focused primarily on the breath itself, which can help our lungs, our nasal area and help to decrease stress. * Your stress. Yoga helps us to relieve stress because it is a form of physical exertion, exercise. You are stretching and moving your body in numerous ways and focusing on that alone. This physical activity combined with the concentration that … Continue reading →

Green Celebrities: Woody Harrelson

Another celebrity that was green years before it was cool is Woody Harrelson. Harrelson has long been a supporter of the legalization of hemp. In fact, he was arrested in Kentucky back in 1996 for planting hemp seed. He eventually won the case even though the state law didn’t distinguish between industrial hemp (used for things such as clothing) and marijuana. Harrelson also scaled the Golden Gate Bridge with the members of Earth First! to protest the harvesting of redwood trees. He was the subject of the 2003 documentary Go Further, in which he traveled the U.S. in a biodiesel … Continue reading →

Staying Fit in Space

Have you seen the movie “Space Buddies?” The Disney flick follows five puppies as they wander onto a space shuttle and are “accidentally” shot into orbit. After the dogs blast off they hook up with a Russian cosmonaut who has been in space for a very long time. He doesn’t say exactly how long he’s been in orbit, but from the looks of his long beard, unruly hair and skinny body, it’s been a while. I thought about the movie’s cosmonaut while reading a new NASA-sponsored study, which suggests that changes are needed to improve the in-flight exercise regimen of … Continue reading →

Athletes Embracing Yoga

You don’t have to be a Hollywood actress, a college-coed or flexible fitness fanatic to excel at yoga, just ask the dozens of athletes (professional and amateur) who have discovered the benefits of this ancient exercise option. NFL football players, pro golfers and stars of the NBA are speaking out about why they have turned to yoga in order to enhance their performance on the field, the golf course and on the court. According to the pros, yoga is one of the best ways to cross-train for a variety of sports, including running, surfing, swimming and skiing, where the body … Continue reading →

Popular New Exercise Equipment

Have you ever seen a new product and asked yourself: “Now, why didn’t I think of that?” I mutter that question each and every time I run on the treadmills at my local gym and peer into the step aerobic classroom. The gym recently acquired a few dozen of those new Slanted Risers. The angled plastic riser fits under a traditional step, like those used in step aerobics classes, to allow you to step up or lie back on a slant. The ad on TV claims: “Not only will the Slanted Riser add a new dimension to your cardio workout … Continue reading →

Why You Want to Build Muscle as You Age

Did you know that at about age 35 the average person gains roughly one-and-a-half pounds of fat each year? And while we are gaining that fat we are also losing (on average) half-a-pound of muscle per year? If that doesn’t motivate you to get moving consider that a pound of muscle burns 35 calories per day—just to stay alive, while a pound of fat burns just two calories per day. Doctors say it’s one of the downfalls of aging. Most people lose muscle and increase the fat layer in their bodies. Fat tends to move in because muscle moves out, … Continue reading →

First Aid: Pulled Muscle

A pulled muscle — or muscle strain — is when a muscle is stretched too far, and small tears develop. Pulled muscles are graded by severity. Grade I: mild discomfort that does not limit activity. Grade II: moderate discomfort that can limit ability to perform some activities. You may experience swelling and/or bruising at the site. Grade III: severe discomfort that can limit activity. You may experience swelling, bruising, and muscle spasms at the injury site. For Grade I and Grade II sprains, you may be able to treat the injury at home. (More severe sprains may need temporary immobilization, … Continue reading →

Weight a Minute! Obsessing Over the Scale

I have a love/hate relationship with my bathroom scale. Okay, let’s be completely honest – I have a resignation/hate relationship with my scale. I have gained back eleven of the pounds I lost a few months ago, and there are days when I’d just as soon throw my scale out the window than step on it. Although, depending on my self-esteem on any given day, I admit that standing on the scale is pretty good punishment for it. Take that, you scale! However, despite the fact that the numbers are higher than I would like, several people over the last … Continue reading →

Prevent Falls with Yoga

Research from Temple University’s Gait Study Center suggests that practicing a specific type of yoga can help prevent falls in women over the age of sixty-five. The Temple University study looked at participants in an Iyengar yoga program specifically designed for senior citizens who had little or no previous yoga experience. Why Iyengar yoga? The technique uses props like belts and blocks to help participants master poses gradually. Participants often feel more confident and comfortable working with the props. The class covered the most basic moves and techniques with an emphasis on proper breathing, stances, and poses. After nine weeks … Continue reading →