Busy Life? Exercise At Home!

Do you feel like your life is too busy? Need 26 hours to complete your day? When this happens, do you even have time to exercise? I’m sure you can’t even think straight let alone fine time to exercise or get the correct vitamins…

Lazy Bones

I don’t live a particularly busy life, although some days are busier than others. But, I find that sometimes I am lazy and find myself doing other things to fill my time (watching TV, PS3, going to visit a friend just to avoid a work-out). If you feel like this, I fully understand and to a certain extent it’s okay – until you reach a point as I have – where exercise and moving my body has become imperative!!

Guys Vs Dolls

The eternal question: Is yoga meant for men? Yes…of course it is! It’s meant for everyone! Guys – THIS IS WHAT YOGA WILL DO FOR YOU: It will improve your SEX LIFE! Ladies…you all know why yoga is good for you and the endless benefits you will get by practicing it!

Teaching A Downward Facing Dog New Tricks

I have found that in the morning, when I wake up, I am feeling really tired and lethargic. It’s been a bit better this past week because I have made a change in the way I am eating…AND I feel so much better, PLUS I have not measured it but my jeans are fitting a little less snug too!

To add to my feeling of being less tired, I am starting to do some simple stretches in my room, AT HOME! These are some easy yoga positions that will get your blood flowing, help your muscles stretch get you ready to start your day!

Here Are 3 Poses You Can Start Out With

Forward Fold

Stretches hamstrings, calves, and hips; strengthens legs and knees

Stand with feet hip-width apart, gently hinge forward at the hips and lower the torso toward the floor. Bend your knees generously to take any pressure out of the low back and hamstrings. Grasp opposite elbows with opposite hands. Breathe deeply and let gravity take the body toward the earth. Relax your head, neck, shoulders and torso. Slowly sway your torso or gently shake your head. Hold for one minute and roll back up to standing.

Why it’s good for you: This is a great move to use as part of a warm-up for any workout.

We often have a hard time knowing when we are holding excess tension in our head, neck and shoulders, and that buildup of tension can create headaches, insomnia, poor circulation and decreased lung capacity. If you practice slow, steady breathing along with this pose, it can lower your blood pressure over

Downward-Facing Dog

Stretches feet, shoulders, hamstrings, and calves; strengthens arms, legs, and core

Start on your hands and knees with your feet and knees hip-width apart. Position your hands about shoulder-width apart, and spread your fingers wide. Pressing firmly through your hands, lift your knees off the floor and straighten your legs. (If you have tight hamstrings, a gentle bend in the knees is fine). Walk your hands forward a few inches, and walk your feet back a few inches to lengthen the pose. Squeeze your thighs as you press them toward the back wall. Press your heels back and down toward the floor (though they might not reach the floor). Relax your head and neck and let your shoulder blades slide down your back toward your feet. Set your gaze between your feet. Suck your stomach in and engage your core muscles. Breathe deeply. Hold for three minutes, rest, and repeat one more time.

Why it’s good for you: We often experience back pain due to chronic tightness in the hamstrings and hips. It’s also common for us to have very tight shoulders. Down Dog releases those areas, while building upper body strength. If you can do only one pose a day, start with Downward Dog.

Chair

Stretches shoulders and chest; strengthens thighs, calves, spine, and ankles

Stand up tall with your big toes touching. Inhale and raise your arms straight up to the ceiling alongside your head and neck with palms facing each other. Drop your shoulders down your back as you lengthen up through the neck. As you exhale, bend your knees, sit down and back as if you were sitting in a chair (like doing a squat with your feet together). Do not let your knees extend past your toes. With each inhale lengthen the spine. With each exhale sit a little deeper in the chair. Eventually your thighs will be parallel to the floor. Drop your tailbone down toward the floor to take any stress out of your lower back. Keep your core muscles engaged and keep your knees and thighs pressed tightly together. Hold for 30 seconds.

Why it’s good for you: No gym necessary! Chair pose torches abdominal fat while strengthening the thighs and legs.

More reasons why Yoga is good right here.

The END – Not!!!!!

I end off these stretches by doing 5 push-ups! I know they seem a small amount but I am just starting…so I think doing 5 of them, with good and proper form is good enough! You don’t want to take on TOO much TOO soon and burn out and become despondent about exercise.

So…here’s to getting the start started full of energy and zest!