Seriously, who doesn’t want a tighter tummy?  And the older you get, the tougher it is to find exercises that help fight that little tummy drop we all go through eventually.
Here are a couple of quick and easy moves to help you keep that little pouch at bay.  They’re a perfect addition to your daily dose of yoga moves:
Abdominal Lift:
-First, stand straight with your legs about a foot apart, and place your hands on your upper thighs
-Inhale deeply and then exhale
-While the air is out of your lungs, pull your abs in and up.  Hold for about ten seconds and release
-Repeat twice
Abdominal Contractions:
-Place …read more

Regardless of what level your practice is at–beginner, intermediate, exploratory or advanced–the eight limbs of yoga (ashtanga) are vitally important stops along the way to the ultimate goal of transformation.
My last post focused on sustainability, and living a simpler, more beautiful life.
To continue along that thread, I wanted to talk a little bit about purity, or saucha, one of the observances belonging to the second limb.
Saucha is purity that operates on many levels. And it’s this purity of thought and action that can lead us to a more sustainable, contented lifestyle.
On a daily basis, we aspire to cleanliness for our bodies by washing ourselves, …read more

Yes, yoga has taught me yet another lesson. You don’t need to spend a lot of money or be a conspicuous consumer to be happy or have nice, meaningful things or a beautiful existence.
One of the key lessons of yoga is that it teaches you to appreciate the simpler things in life. To be present. To be in the moment. This practice alone has not only helped to quiet my mind, in recent months it has also saved me a lot of money.
In fact, my shopping habits have changed significantly. I buy less processed, ready-to-serve foods and eat more healthfully …read more

Just sitting here on this cold and snowy Friday in northeast Ohio, making Thanksgiving and holiday plans, and thinking about the blessings in my life.
While I can always think of something to be cautious or worry about (sorry, healthy skeptic in recovery here), I have to say, my practices–both yoga and meditation–have not only changed my life, they’ve made my thoughts healthier, too.
There are so many areas of my life where I can see change and positive energy, that in the past I had either overlooked or not even considered.  My practices have spurred me to take self-care more seriously, made me more …read more

Well, it’s not earth-shattering news, but apparently, there is a new category for folks who are vegetarians MOST of the time :-)  You’re called flexitarians, and around Thanksgiving, I have to admit, I become one of you, too.
 In fact, the food industry is targeting these folks, providing vegetarian fare with just a wee bit of protein on the side.  Flexitarians could and would be considered vegetarians most of the time.  But when a slice of meat or fish passes under their noses, they don’t say no.  And restaurants and grocery stores are beginning to package food and menu items just for …read more

Ok, I really am trying to watch my spending these days.  But…some of the clothes and accessories on the market for yoga are pretty hard to resist.  I know, it’s hard to keep up.  One day I’m pondering the value of yoga becoming an Olympic sport, the next I am ready to empty my pockets at Lululemon. 
The best yoga wear designers try to keep it about function–mostly.  If I think about it from a purist’s perspective (and I must to win this point;-)), I have to argue that it is great that yoga is moving so far into the mainstream that people actually have …read more

The benefits of yoga are fairly simple to calculate and see.  You become more flexible.  You feel stronger.  You have improved balance and coordination. You breathe easier.
Because we are employing our minds to do all of the work, sometimes the benefits are not immediately noticeable.  The benefits are extraordinary, however.  A stronger sense of peace.  An improved sense of ourselves and our impact.  And utimately, a fuller awareness of ourselves, others and the world around us. Increasing our awareness–our ability to exist in the here and now–is probably the most important aspect of meditation.  At least in my view. 
The simple fact that meditation …read more

In this busy, busy stressed-out world, I can’t think of a better way to get children hooked on a healthy lifestyle and exercise than through yoga.
Considering all of the activities our children are involved with, not to mention the video games, 24/7 nature of television, and the business of their parents’ lives that they can’t help but get pulled into, yoga offers a soothing and disciplined way for them to learn more about their minds and bodies, and find the relaxation they need, too.
Kids can derive significant benefits from yogas, much like adults.  They can achieve flexibility, and enhance their strength and coordination …read more