I’m thinking about getting into the YouTube dumbell curls circuit. There aren’t too many people – steroids or not – that can out curl me when I’m on top of my form (65×8 standing regular dumbells). I was looking around the videos today to see what my competition was. One guy stood out as really impressive – especially with his barbell curls (155×5).
Unlike sooo many other videos, this guy has solid form with very little rock. He’s not perfectly straight but it’s damn near impossible to stay completely rigid when you start getting into the really …read more

I know I write a lot about yoga. But I also love running, and yoga actually is helping me increase my productivity on the road.  I used to run long distance before getting into my practice.  I loved it.  It was relaxing, gave me time to think, and reduced stress, too.  What it also did, I found, was make me a little less flexible. And, on occasion, I would even find myself hobbled and sidelined.
Now that I combine the two, I am finding it is a great fit.  Yoga keeps me limber and increases my flexibility, which helps me prevent …read more

I don’t know about you, but I don’t have a lot of time to read labels when I shop. But I also don’t want to grab something I just know I won’t eat later, either. Well, hopefully the dash through the grocery aisle will become a lot simpler after today’s announcement that new front-of-pack nutrition labeling (although voluntary) called “Smart Choices” will soon be available on products in grocery stores across the U.S.
The criteria that will determine which products will and will not qualify for the new labeling system were set by a group of scientists, nutritionists and manufacturers, and were built on science-based nutrition data, in hopes of helping Americans make better …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

I don’t know about you, but I need to relax!  After just being told I can’t use my vacation days anytime soon because we are fast approaching the opening of a major exhibition, I found myself twisted up in even more knots.
So I put together a mini-practice or routine for myself that I plan to use every night until I can dial the tension down for real (and sleep for a few days!).
Standing forward bend–Place a pillow on a chair or stool in front of you.  Bend over from the waist, with your hands clasped behind your head, elbows out.   Placing your …read more

Ok, at first I thought yeah, ok.  Now I can kind of see it.  I had heard a little bit about Laughter Yoga, but I never took it seriously (no pun intended).  But it seems to be sweeping the globe, growing to over 6,000 clubs worldwide.
According to the Laughter Yoga website, it is touted as a “physically-oriented technique that uses a perfect blend of playful, empowering and otherwise “tension-releasing” simple laughter exercises, interspersed with gentle breathing and stretching exercises, rhythmic clapping and chanting of Ho Ho Ha Ha Ha in unison.” 
Me being me, I thought this is kind of silly.  But I tried it, and …read more

Chakra Four: Breathe Deep, Breathe with Love
Ironically positioned right in the center of the seven chakras is the fourth Chakra, Anahata.  Both ironic and important, because the fourth Chakra is located at the heart.  It’s primary function is love, it’s element is air (or breathing).  The verb for this chakra is “I love.”
The body parts tied to this chakra are the lungs, heart, arms, hands and thymus gland. When this chakra is not functioning properly, all types of diseases may potentially result, including high blood pressure, heart and lung disease. For meditation purposes, the color linked to this chakra is green, as are the concepts of love and balance.
The best …read more

Day Two: When Does the Fun Begin?
Ok, here’s the truth: not loving the caffeine-free experience so far.  First of all, every Sunday morning for YEARS, I have gotten up, made coffee and read through two to three newspapers.
This morning, I began with my meditation time.  I have to say, until this really fun phase of caffeine withdrawal passes, it may be even more difficult to concentrate on my meditation. Today it seems as though it is more challenging.  But in the long run I am sure it will pay off.     
I could barely get through my Sunday morning reading, however.  Didn’t help that in …read more