How to Choose Your Yoga Style

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEihyphenhyphen_WnzopRoJ6F9Y5JNiiCCDJ_fg3Un7TVN6PS1fZ7a3z6UpguLXgxbEfTWOi_7dqf49jApomqYyntaXGkFsaz-y9l6qnYqD0dth35iwxrXl_qIpYaPObsJQBk8NM2jE8ywucXvluQwu/s1600/Yoga_Style.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Rolled yoga style mats in the grass." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEihyphenhyphen_WnzopRoJ6F9Y5JNiiCCDJ_fg3Un7TVN6PS1fZ7a3z6UpguLXgxbEfTWOi_7dqf49jApomqYyntaXGkFsaz-y9l6qnYqD0dth35iwxrXl_qIpYaPObsJQBk8NM2jE8ywucXvluQwu/s1600/Yoga_Style.png" title="Yoga Style Mats" /></a></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What’s your favorite yoga style? Maybe you’ve never tried yoga, and you aren’t really sure what type would be best for you. Yoga is an awesome way to stretch, breath, and in some cases, build strength. There are many different types of yoga style, each with its own unique focus. Here are a few of them:</span></span></div> <b id="docs-internal-guid-b7a0f418-7632-f9a9-8e28-d273430685d1" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hatha </span></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Hatha yoga style incorporates body postures, breathing, and meditation. The movements are slower-paced and often include exercises that focus on breathing and meditation. This is a good yoga style for beginners.</span></span></div> <b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Vinyasa</span></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The focus of the Vinyasa practice is fluid movements between poses. Breathing should keep in time with each movement. Routines are often different, so you typically won’t be doing the same exact thing with each class. This yoga style can vary in difficulty, but it’s good for those who want to get a regular workout in through yoga.</span></span></div> <b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bikram</span></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Warning: you will get SWEATY if you do Bikram, as it is a form of hot yoga. The room for this yoga style is over 100 degrees Fahrenheit and with 40% humidity. This is a great practice for healthy people who would like to detoxify or lose weight. Just make sure to check in with a doctor first, since it is an intense form of yoga that should only be done by people without heart problems or who don’t react adversely to extreme heat.</span></span></div> <b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Iyengar</span></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Props like blocks, straps, chairs, boards, and walls are used in Iyengar yoga. The focus is on correct alignment with this yoga style. This slow, balanced practice is great for those who might have an injury or chronic condition, which causes their body misalignment. Advanced yogis can do this practice to work on strength and alignment, and beginners can use it to help understand basic poses.</span></span></div> <b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ashtanga</span></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This type of yoga is a bit more vigorous and focuses on synchronizing movement with your breath, as you go through size pose sequences. Ashtanga is more demanding because of its fast-paced nature, so only try this if you are beyond the beginner stage. </span></span></div> <b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yin </span></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This yoga style focuses more on the meditation. The poses are held for a very long time, sometimes even up to 20 minutes. Postures in this practice target the connective tissues in the body. This is a good yoga style for those are looking for inner peace or who need to release tension.</span></span></div> <b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">PiYo</span></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/piyo-workout.do" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">PiYo</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is an amazing Beachbody program that brings the benefits of pilates and yoga together into one great workout. These workouts are customizable, so they are perfect for the beginner or more advanced yogi who wants to work out consistently. The best part? You can do these workouts from the comfort of your home.</span></span></div> <b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I hope this look into the various types of yoga practices out there has helped you decide which yoga style is best for you. Let me know if you have any questions about yoga style or fitness routines, as I am happy to help you out! </span></span></div> <br />

abs, body, exercise, exercise accessories, fitness, health, relaxation, Yoga, yoga mat

How to Choose Your Yoga Style

What’s your favorite yoga style? Maybe you’ve never tried yoga, and you aren’t really sure what type would be best for you. Yoga is an aw...

The Best Yoga Mat For Your Practice

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6V7dd075nj4RasR6VA5HEOlsXWoOzdcAbOfcrJ6Lyd729AIrZJVCv4mJ_gMqAP6nC-U6zQyOiLnk9jHzuKQ0-t903gTXNUbMPfx4b7R4jfG6z82ZULA3q_2kef32BCi9dTGIz-E7C4LS_/s1600/yoga_mats.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A stack of the best yoga mats." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6V7dd075nj4RasR6VA5HEOlsXWoOzdcAbOfcrJ6Lyd729AIrZJVCv4mJ_gMqAP6nC-U6zQyOiLnk9jHzuKQ0-t903gTXNUbMPfx4b7R4jfG6z82ZULA3q_2kef32BCi9dTGIz-E7C4LS_/s1600/yoga_mats.png" title="yoga mats" /></a></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 4pt; margin-top: 4pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When it comes to finding the best yoga mat, there are a few factors to consider. You’ll want a mat that works best with the type of yoga you practice the most. So, don’t just go out and buy the one with the cheapest price tag or prettiest design on it. Think about the following characteristics, before you start your search for the best yoga mat.</span></div> <span style="color: #666666;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-388883d4-330a-3ff0-e64b-a538298d6b29" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b> </span><br /> <h4 style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 4pt; margin-top: 4pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Considerations For The Best Yoga Mat For Your Practice:</span></h4> <span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b> </span><br /> <h4 style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 4pt; margin-top: 4pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thickness</span></h4> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 4pt; margin-top: 4pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To figure out the ideal yoga mat thickness for your practice think about where you will be using your yoga mat. You’ll want something with a little bit of cushion if you will be using it on hard floors. However, if the mat is too thick, it could be difficult to balance on. Will you be traveling with your yoga mat? You’ll want to make sure it’s an appropriate thickness, so you can roll it up easily and carry it around. </span></div> <span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b> </span><br /> <h4 style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 4pt; margin-top: 4pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Texture</span></h4> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 4pt; margin-top: 4pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The importance of texture isn’t just the way it feels underneath your toes. You’ll want some great traction, so you don’t slip and slide around. Do your hands and feet get very sweaty? Do you take hot yoga? If so, you’ll want extra traction. However, the best yoga mat for you won't feel rough or uncomfortable underneath your feet. If you do a lighter yoga or don’t sweat very much, you may not need as much traction. You can also consider getting a yoga mat towel to put on top of your mat, which allows for extra traction with a different texture.</span></div> <span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b> </span><br /> <h4 style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 4pt; margin-top: 4pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sustainability and Cost</span></h4> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 4pt; margin-top: 4pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To purchase the best yoga mat for the environment, look at what materials make up the mat. It’s best if you can find one made of PVC-free materials or a mat derived from a natural plant base. That will typically cost a little more, but we think being an eco-friendly consumer justifies the higher price.</span></div> <span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b> </span><br /> <h4 style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 4pt; margin-top: 4pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Size and Style</span></h4> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 4pt; margin-top: 4pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are standard yoga mat sizes, but you can also find custom sizes as well. To find the best yoga mat for you, consider how long and wide you would like the yoga mat to be. Are you taller? A longer yoga mat will be perfect! Do you perform exercises and stretches that require a wider mat? Find one with wider dimensions. There are also some mats with pretty decorations and borders. You’ll have to decide how important this is to you and determine the best yoga mat to fit your size, traction, and style needs.</span></div> <span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span> <span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 4pt; margin-top: 4pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you’re going to use your yoga mat a lot, be sure to put some thought behind selecting the best yoga mat. Do your research, do the touch test, and read reviews online before you buy. The best yoga mat for you will be one that ensures a healthy yoga practice, a workout that focuses on breathing and moving fluidly through the poses.</span></div> <div> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>

abs, cost, diet, exercise, exercise accessories, fitness, health, relaxation, size, style, substainability, texture, thickness, Yoga, yoga mat

The Best Yoga Mat For Your Practice

When it comes to finding the best yoga mat, there are a few factors to consider. You’ll want a mat that works best with the type of yoga ...

The Amazing Health Benefits of a Sauna

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwE-zvaQbym2PvsSN7avrIu2yMkgdJJQu8B15RgNYurojRXUIbpgqr3k5NWcaadPCchAlYEkc137hqrJVKxG32G4crPvJFoksh2-NTuja5sgqtsq3hAKRY9XCz_k_02MXmMPxymNarKgvl/s1600/health_benefits_sauna.png" imageanchor="1"><img alt="The interior of a sauna to demonstrate the health benefits of a sauna. " border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwE-zvaQbym2PvsSN7avrIu2yMkgdJJQu8B15RgNYurojRXUIbpgqr3k5NWcaadPCchAlYEkc137hqrJVKxG32G4crPvJFoksh2-NTuja5sgqtsq3hAKRY9XCz_k_02MXmMPxymNarKgvl/s1600/health_benefits_sauna.png" title="Sauna" /></a></div> <span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gyms that have ample amenities are great for enjoying the health benefits of a sauna. You can also purchase your own if you know you’ll be using it a lot, but they can be spendy. Besides the amazing health benefits of taking regular sauna breaks, it also feels so nice!</span><h4> <span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The health benefits of a sauna</span></h4> <span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Detoxify. When you sit in a sauna, your body starts to sweat out toxins, getting rid of the toxic elements that we use and breathe on a daily basis. I love knowing the health benefits of a sauna; it helps me relax and enjoy the time to myself.<br /><br />Heart health. More awesome health benefits of a sauna include the impact on blood flow. The heat from the sauna dilates blood vessels, which increases blood circulation. This helps to speed up the body’s natural healing process, encourage healthy cell growth and improve stimulation.<br /><br />Skin health. Being in a sauna really opens up the pores so your body can release toxins that might otherwise get caught under your skin, causing blemishes. The detoxifying health benefits of a sauna cause the bacteria to sweat off your skin, leaving it smoother and clearer. What’s not to love about that? <br /><br />Stress Relief. Aside from the fact that you are in a quiet place without the distractions of life, the heat from the sauna relaxes your muscles and releases endorphins, so it should improve your mood. Stretching after or during a sauna visit is usually helpful to feel extra relaxed and receive more of the health benefits of a sauna.<br /><br />Fight Illness. The heat of the sauna encourages white blood cells to produce at a quicker pace, which is helpful for fighting illnesses and killing viruses. Breathing in the steam of the sauna can also help clear up congestion and sinus pressure to relieve common symptoms of illness.<br /></span><h4> <span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How to use a sauna:</span></h4> <span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><ul> <li>Lightly invigorate your skin by rubbing a dry washcloth over it.</li> <li>Sit in the sauna as long as you are comfortable (usually 10 minutes or so). If you start feeling dizzy or uncomfortable, it’s time to get out.</li> <li>It’s best to immerse yourself immediately in cold water after the sauna to close your pores and reinforce your skin's protective state. Not my favorite part but it feels really great afterwards.</li> <li>Enjoy the relaxed feeling!</li> </ul> <div> <br /></div> <b>Healthy body, healthy skin and stress relief are a few of the great health benefits of a sauna. Start using a sauna regularly to see if you notice the difference!</b></span><div> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>

relaxation, sauna

The Amazing Health Benefits of a Sauna

Gyms that have ample amenities are great for enjoying the health benefits of a sauna. You can also purchase your own if you know you’ll be...

Staying Focused in a Distracted World

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYuOaP6MocOSz1l3RtchX4ucXnYqvm7MNJxmOATUWjK3g9-TRcfambiYFpp1_RUPHaEbsiSENK93RcwRy_2d8byTKfrczWIt9CejM0mwgdtEqY6t9KNOQ73mHUXxHjmT6dN9G4q4OjcT7n/s1600/stay_focused.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Young woman looking focused and calm " border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYuOaP6MocOSz1l3RtchX4ucXnYqvm7MNJxmOATUWjK3g9-TRcfambiYFpp1_RUPHaEbsiSENK93RcwRy_2d8byTKfrczWIt9CejM0mwgdtEqY6t9KNOQ73mHUXxHjmT6dN9G4q4OjcT7n/s1600/stay_focused.png" title="staying focused" /></a></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #999999;">Staying focused seems to keep getting more difficult with people and information so accessible all the time - I can think of a thousand ways I can get distracted or waste my time without even knowing it. So, it’s time to make the decision to start putting effort into staying focused! Here are a few ways to start:</span></span></div> <b id="docs-internal-guid-3097da0a-7c69-f37f-6209-a4e987369e48" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #999999;"><br /></span></b> <ol style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #999999;">Turn off smart phone notifications. At first, it seems convenient that our phones will let us know when we get a new email or photo like, but constantly being glued to our phones is a huge hindrance from staying focused on the task or enjoying the company of the people we are with.</span></span></div> </li> <li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #999999;">Dedicate 1 or 2 specific times a day to answer emails, check voice messages and respond to social media. This way, you are not constantly checking them throughout the day and you are able to keep staying focused.</span></span></div> </li> <li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #999999;">Remove physical clutter. Staying focused can be tough when there are messes and things tend to get lost, creating even less focus. Make sure things are generally cleaned up and get rid of things you don’t use.</span></span></div> </li> <li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #999999;">Figure out when the best time of day works for certain activities. Some people are very energetic in the morning, so they should work out in the morning while people who get an extra boost of energy at the end of the day should work out in the evening. Figure out your energy and motivation levels during the day, then stick to a schedule that works best for you!</span></span></div> </li> <li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #999999;">Establish a healthy morning routine. Start the day off right! Make sure to get up early enough to give yourself time for a healthy breakfast and a little bit of time to relax. Rushing around from the moment you get out of bed can make you feel stressed and can prevent you from staying focused.</span></span></div> </li> <li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #999999;">Keep a to-do list. Staying focused is much easier when a to-do list is involved. This way, you can prioritize what needs to get done and what can wait.</span></span></div> </li> <li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #999999;">Figure out what you value in life. Be sure to think about what matters to you in life. Don’t let other peoples values define/motivate you. Figure out your own goals and reasons for them and then go for it!</span></span></div> </li> <li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #999999;">Learn to say no. Sometimes, staying focused is a matter of knowing when to say no - don’t take on extra engagements if they are going to stress you out. </span></span></div> </li> </ol> <span style="color: #999999;"><br /></span> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #999999;">Trust me, I know how distracting life can get, but staying focused will help you accomplish your goals and be able to enjoy each moment as you experience it. Follow these steps to a more focused life today!</span></span></div> <div> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>

focus, relaxation

Staying Focused in a Distracted World

Staying focused seems to keep getting more difficult with people and information so accessible all the time - I can think of a thousand w...

Deep Breathing to Upgrade Your Everyday Life

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUZVNOTY3NWaHSrYTcAlBGtVSFx5WKmfES7bve8RBIjUmFm70z0EvEiQ_gEnZVZ067Lp8u8oQjEc_L7sS9f65MUjoI_Rumt7jXEww47pyXBExLOmFukRGs_3eVVIDDcahRbhcJPN7JdR0v/s1600/breathe.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A Fit Nurse practicing deep breathing." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUZVNOTY3NWaHSrYTcAlBGtVSFx5WKmfES7bve8RBIjUmFm70z0EvEiQ_gEnZVZ067Lp8u8oQjEc_L7sS9f65MUjoI_Rumt7jXEww47pyXBExLOmFukRGs_3eVVIDDcahRbhcJPN7JdR0v/s1600/breathe.png" title="A Fit Nurse - deep breathing" /></a></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I think we all know that breathing is a good thing - it’s how we live! However, I’ve recently experienced breath in a new way. The simple art of deep breathing takes just a few extra seconds with each inhale and exhale and has a multitude of advantages to increase the goodness of life.</span></span></div> <b id="docs-internal-guid-58908440-8596-de0a-0bab-c6e76471c7a9" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You can do some research to find the scientific evidence of the health benefits of deep breathing (there’s a lot!) but I’d like to share with you what I have personally experienced by putting deep breathing to action as often as possible in my daily life.</span></span></div> <b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Benefits of Deep Breathing From a Fitness Mom’s Perspective:</span></span></div> <b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1) Relaxation: I love what I do and I love my family but sometimes I find myself feeling stressed when something unplanned occurs or there are extra items on the “to do” list. Deep breathing to the rescue! I simply take a few slow, deep breaths and my whole body relaxes - the surge of relief is so therapeutic and I am able to tackle any task!</span></span></div> <b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2) Increased Flexibility: Much like the practice of yoga, I’ve found that deep breathing can actually increase my flexibility while stretching. Breathing in and then letting out a long breath while relaxing into the stretch is much more effective than trying to pull my muscles farther into a stretch when they aren’t relaxed and ready.</span></span></div> <b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3) Increased Strength: Similar to the increase in flexibility, deep breathing can lead to an improved conditioning workout. Sometimes, when I think I’m at the end of a rep, I take a few more deep breaths and am ready to crank out a few more. Deep breathing allows me to do maximum reps for a more powerful workout!</span></span></div> <b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">4) Clear Mind: Ever have one of those days where there is so much going on that you develop a bit of a scatter brain? Take a few minutes for some deep breathing and your mind will clear up and stay on point. Nothing like a clear mind to boost that brain power! </span></span></div> <b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">5) Better Sleep: Sometimes when I’m laying in bed, I have trouble falling asleep because I’m thinking about the excitement of the day or the anticipation of tomorrow. I take in a few deep breaths and my mind is transformed into tranquility and I am slipping into a deep, restful sleep.</span></span></div> <b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">6) Patience: Some people count to 10 when they start to lose patience - I just take 5 deep breaths and I can sustain an attitude of patience, which is a very important thing when you have sweet, little children that still have a few lessons to learn. Super breathing helps me be a super mom!</span></span></div> <b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">How to breathe deeply:</span></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Simply breathe in as long as you can, then out as long you can and voila! You have now begun the practice of deep breathing. Incorporate this into your daily life and feel the results right away. Keep it up!</span></span></div> <br /> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Breathing is a basic life necessity that our body does naturally. However, you can take control and see the change that deep breathing can bring to your life. Happy relaxed living!</span></span></div> <div> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>

breathe, deep breathing, relaxation

Deep Breathing to Upgrade Your Everyday Life

I think we all know that breathing is a good thing - it’s how we live! However, I’ve recently experienced breath in a new way. The simp...

10 Simple Ways to Relax Everyday

<div class="feature-hero" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; max-width: 850px; width: 810px;"> <img src="http://res.mindbodygreen.com/img/crp/WomanBlowingDandelion.jpg,-WomanBlowingDandelion-850x400.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle; width: 810px;" /></div> <div class="body" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;"> <br /><div style="margin-bottom: 25px;"> The pace of our culture is increasing at an astonishing rate. While this speed certainly has its benefits and conveniences for our outer lives, they come at a great cost to our inner world.</div> <div style="margin-bottom: 25px;"> For as all of the wisdom traditions teach, well-being can only be cultivated when you take time every day to slow down and turn inward. So as fabulous as it is to click a few buttons on your phone and receive a package at your doorstep two days later, the momentary thrill is quickly tempered by the undercurrent of anxiety and emptiness that pervades most people's lives.</div> <div style="margin-bottom: 25px;"> When I talk about slowing down with my clients, many of them draw a blank. They're so addicted to the fast pace of our modern world that they believe they've lost the capacity to develop<a href="http://conscious-transitions.com/the-well-of-being/" style="color: #5ac7e1; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"> the inner life so necessary to well-being</a>. I'm not talking about giving up all worldly possessions and retreating to a cave on the top of a mountain; no, I'm talking about making a commitment to yourself to slow down and turn inward each day while still remaining connected to a full and active life.</div> <div style="margin-bottom: 25px;"> If you need a jump start reminder for how to do that, experiment with the following simple suggestions.</div> <div style="margin-bottom: 25px;"> <strong>1. Light a candle.</strong></div> <div style="margin-bottom: 25px;"> There's something about the flicker of the flame in a dark room that naturally inspires us to slow turn and inward. Perhaps it's a primal reminder of an earlier time in human history when the lack of electricity required that we follow the natural rhythm of day and night. We can find thousands of ways of skirting time; lighting a candle hearkens back to a time when we lived more organically and less technologically.</div> <div style="margin-bottom: 25px;"> <strong>2. Sit in nature.</strong></div> <div style="margin-bottom: 25px;"> Similarly, one of the beauties of nature is that it's completely unaffected by technology. The seasons still follow the same rhythm that has informed their cycle of shedding and renewal for thousands of years. The leaves of the trees die and reborn at their same pace; animals hibernate and migrate at the same rhythm. When you sit in nature — and I do mean sit, as opposed to hike, run, bike, or drive — you absorb via osmosis the pace of nature and your internal clock is reset to organic time.</div> <div style="margin-bottom: 25px;"> <strong>3. Read poetry out loud.</strong></div> <div style="margin-bottom: 25px;"> Poetry is an aural art and, as such, is meant to be read out loud. When you read it out loud, your voice is more likely to meet the pace of the words as they were written, to savor each symbol, and to allow the imagery to wash over your soul and fill you up. It's like standing barefoot in the grass and allowing the waters of the earth rise up through the bottom of your feet, through the channels of your legs, and into the chambers of your heart.</div> <div style="margin-bottom: 25px;"> <strong>4. Listen to inspiring speakers and teachers</strong></div> <div style="margin-bottom: 25px;"> One of the blessings of technology is that it allows us to access some of the world's greatest thinkers with the click of a button. If your mind is an overactive place and, despite trying to meditate you can't seem to quiet those incessantly loud and often mean voices, try replacing them with kinder ones by listening to inspiring audiobooks and lectures.</div> <div style="margin-bottom: 25px;"> <strong>5. Read an actual book.</strong></div> <div style="margin-bottom: 25px;"> Kindles and iPads are convenient, and for some people they may even be easier on the eyes, but when you only take in information through technology, you're much more likely to jump onto the Internet or quickly check your email instead of staying focused on the book. There's a certain romance to reading an actual paper book that is lost when the information is presented technologically.Curling up with the iPad just doesn't feel quite the same as curling up with a good book.</div> <div style="margin-bottom: 25px;"> <strong>6. Write an actual letter.</strong></div> <div style="margin-bottom: 25px;"> The act of putting pen to paper naturally slows us down. While it's convenient to let your fingers fly across the keyboard and click send, when you take the time to choose stationary, write an actual letter in your own hand, fold it up, address it and stamp it, and put it in the mailbox, you're hearkening another era where time moved at a slower pace, and you will move at that pace as well.</div> <div style="margin-bottom: 25px;"> <strong>7. Meditate.</strong></div> <div style="margin-bottom: 25px;"> Meditating creates spaciousness and is now widely acknowledged as one of the most effective ways to slow down and turn inward. Thirty to forty minutes several days a week is ideal, but even just ten minutes of sitting down and getting to know your mind will help you fill your inner well.</div> <div style="margin-bottom: 25px;"> <strong>8. Journal.</strong></div> <div style="margin-bottom: 25px;"> Journaling is a free and accessible way to enter your inner world. When you take time to reflect on the contents of your thoughts, feelings, and actions, you develop a capacity to make choices regarding how you treat yourself. In other words, if you're operating on a running commentary that says, "I'm not good enough," journaling helps to bring that subtext into the forefront of consciousness where you can then choose either to believe it or seek to replace it with a commentary that's more loving and kind.</div> <div style="margin-bottom: 25px;"> <strong>9. Take a nap.</strong></div> <div style="margin-bottom: 25px;"> When's the last time you took a nap? When's the last time, instead of getting something done, you lay down on the bed or your office floor and just closed your eyes? In our culture that values doing over being, it's hard to set aside the voice that cracks down with the cackling whip of "you're lazy" and remember that in many other cultures, a <em>siesta</em> or rest time is built into the fabric of the day and seen as an essential component to well-being.</div> <div style="margin-bottom: 25px;"> <strong>10. Pet an animal.</strong></div> <div style="margin-bottom: 25px;"> If you're wondering how to cultivate more being and less doing, study your pet, as Eckhart Tolle writes in his beautiful little book, <em>Guardians of Being: Spiritual Teachings from our Dogs and Cats.</em></div> <div style="margin-bottom: 25px;"> There are many other ways, of course. When you orient your compass toward <a href="http://conscious-transitions.com/filling-the-well/" style="color: #5ac7e1; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">filling the well of Self</a>, you'll discover the ways that are most nourishing for you.</div> </div>

good advice, good habits, health and fitness, healthy lifestyle, mental health, relaxation

10 Simple Ways to Relax Everyday

The pace of our culture is increasing at an astonishing rate. While this speed certainly has its benefits and conveniences for our outer...