This morning I woke up with a pounding headache.  I think it’s from the little flu I feel coming on but it could be from anything. Headaches are very common and can be originate from countless sources.  Many friends and family ask me if yoga can help with headaches; and yes they can.  When a headache starts coming on, we often drop everything and try finding a quick fix.  I don’t like taking medication if I don’t have too.  So when I am getting a headache from dehydration, stress, tension, or anything else, I pull out the mat to do headache therapeutic yoga.

I find yogic breathing exercises along with a specialized headache sequence can nix headaches pretty quickly.  Yoga has the ability to relieve tension, boost circulation, calm the mind and can be a powerful natural remedy for headaches.

Specific poses can help alleviate pain associated with headaches and can help prevent headaches from happening in the first place.  This morning I incorporated some of these poses into my practice to prevent and treat my headaches.

1.    Deep Breathing (Pranayama) – Deep breathing releases tension in the shoulders and brings more oxygen into the brain.



2.    Cat Pose (Marjaryasana) - This is a beginner pose and is a great way to relieve tension in the spine, shoulders, and neck.  It also boosts circulation in the upper body.



3.    Child’s Pose (Balasana) - This fundamental resting pose can be a powerful remedy for stress, anxiety, and headaches.  It quiets the mind and releases tension from the back and shoulders.


4.    Standing Forward Bend (Uttanasana) - Not only is this pose good for headaches, it helps dealing with stress, calms the brain and helps relieve mild depression, relieve some symptoms of menopause. Overall a great pose.


5.    Downward-Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana) - Calms the brain to relieve stress to prevent headaches.  It energizes the body, and relieves headaches, insomnia, back pain, and fatigue.


I hope these poses can help deal with headaches and prevent them in the future.  For more information on therapeutic focused yoga poses visit the Yoga Journal.com

Namaste.

It’s been a couple months since my sister started taking yoga classes.  The first couple months she would call me right after class and be so amazed at the things she was able to achieve.  But, the calls of excitement have turned into calls of frustration.  “Why am I not getting any better? I don’t think I can do I can get better? Maybe yoga isn’t for me?”  I hear these questions of frustration all the time. 

I stressed to her that yoga is a journey and not something that happens overnight.  It is important not to focus on the destination, but embrace every moment of the journey.




Yoga is a journey towards increased awareness and acceptance of the way things are around you.  Learning to free yourself from usual pressures of society is a big step in yoga growth. 

When starting yoga it is common to see great developments quickly, and then have it followed by a plateau where it feels like you’re not gaining anything more.  It is important to remember how far you have come.

Yoga strengthens your mind, body, and spirit are key components in the journey.




I had a difficult time in the beginning of my journey with letting go of a future-focused mindset and being results oriented.  When I finally tapped into the collective spirit and energy of yoga, I learned how to release all social responsibility while I am on my mat.

If you are like my sister and feeling discouraged about yoga, or if there is something else you are having trouble achieving, know that everything in life is a journey and that’s what makes getting there that much more worth it.  There is a destination upon arriving in each moment along the journey.  Every moment is a step towards a greater destination.

Namaste.

I don’t like to consume myself with technology but I do use my phone to assist me in work outs and tracking my activity.  Some people swear by using fitness and health apps on their phone to be aware of what they eat and the physical activities they do.  I think using an app can be a supplement to motivation and desire to work towards a healthy life.  I just recently downloaded a new app and am very pleased with it thus far.

Here are a three FREE fitness and health apps I have used to help reach my healthy lifestyle goals.

•    Map My Walk- I love using this app to track my daily activity levels.  It allows me to choose time and distance goals for each day and week.  It also tracks runs and bike rides with a GPS locater, showing how far, how fast, and how challenging the workout was.  There is also a feature to create challenges on existing times or distances on specific routes.


•    MINDBODY yoga- This is a great app was very useful when I first moved here and was looking for yoga classes.  This app finds studios nearby, lists classes by time, and allows students to reserve their spot.  I also love it because it gives directions to the studio so I don’t get lost.


•    Noom: Weight Loss Coach- I consider this app the all in one fitness app.  It is a personalized coach that assists in forming healthy habits through daily tasks, meal logging, and exercise tracking.  I use it to log my meals and workouts, and it also counts my steps using a pedometer.  I really like Noom because it offers encouragement and helps keep me motivated.



I believe that having a strong support system and creating goals are key in reaching health goals.  I have used these apps to help better myself physically and have seen their benefits.  Give them a try and see what they can do for you.

Have you used any health or fitness apps that have worked? Please share them with me.

Namaste,

Anita.

I often get emails and phone calls from people who want to begin taking my class asking what to wear.  This morning after teaching my yoga class I stopped by a few stores to pick up new yoga clothes and I figured the topic of yoga apparel would be a great post to share.

My suggestion is to wear something form fitting and comfortable.  After all, you only get out of what you put in to it. 




When decided what to wear, it all depends on the yoga class and how rigorous it is going to be.  When I am doing power yoga or Bikram yoga, I sweat a lot.  I wear clothes that wick away sweat and keep me cool.  I would suggest something similar to the sweat wicking fabrics you would wear when running.

Baggy t-shirts are okay for men, but I always suggest women were a tight fitting top so that it won’t flip inside out when doing inversions.  Tucking in a baggy shirt can be dangerous and poses a risk of falling.  It is important to wear something comfortable but tight enough it won’t distract you.


It is also important that women wear a conservative tops and bottoms that aren’t see-through.  Wearing something low cut could be risky when doing inverted poses.  And wearing thin pants can give everyone a show behind you.

When purchasing clothes to practice in, there is no need to splurge on big labels.  Here are some of my favorite places to get yoga apparel:

•    Nike- I have always loved Nike for athletic clothing.  They have good quality clothing that won’t hinder your yoga experience.  They also have a new line called Nike Studio Wrap Pack, it is a footwear that helps give more traction and protection if you are having a difficult time holding poses for a long period of time. 


•    Old Navy- There are few places to buy workout clothes that are as affordable as Old Navy.  Most of their work out gear is under $30, and they also have petite, tall, and plus size options.


•    Target- Here is another store that won’t break your budget.  You will find a wide selection of tops and bottoms adequate for yoga.  The clothing often goes on sale too.


•    Nordstrom- Nordstrom sells just about everything, including workout clothes.  They offer a wide selection of brands for whatever you are looking for, at many price points.


You can find yoga and fitness apparel at plenty of stores.  I don’t wear a single brand, I wear clothes that fit and won’t hinder my practice.  It’s not necessary to go out and spend a fortune on clothes.  Find clothes that fit and feel comfortable.  Yoga isn’t about looking good, it is about feeling good and creating a healthy mind, body, and spirit. 

If you have any other questions about beginning yoga, don’t hesitate to ask.  I want to create a positive and open environment everywhere I go, including this site.

Namaste.