Choosing the Right Strengthening Routine
Bodybuilding isn’t just for budding Arnolds; it’s also a great thing to incorporate into any fitness regimen. Most people aren’t sure what to do in the weight section of the gym. They might try a few machines or lift a few dumbbells. However, if you’re not lifting right, you’re not doing anything at all (and you might even be damaging your body).
When I was in high school I worked as a soda jerk in an old fashioned soda fountain. It had a pharmacy in the back, operated by an older man who resembled Colonel Sanders - white hair, white jacket, and always a mildly amused expression. While he served prescriptions in the back, we served ice cream in the front. Ice cream came from the dairy business across the back alley and included all the usual culprits: vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, black walnut, bubblegum, butter pecan, and my favorite, spumoni.
We all know the benefits of meditation--I personally use it for the best (and free!) stress relief, but it can be really intimidating and confusing to get started. If you are scatterbrained by nature, the very process sounds impossible. How do I know if I’m doing it right? Is it working? If you are new to meditation, it can seem like a super power rather than a skill--one that you build with practice. Here are three little things that helped me get started, and have kept me going, even when I was convinced that meditation was a waste of time.
I love to see how Yoga has become such a big part of the greater community in our culture. People from all walks of life can be found in the studio today. I see Yoga mats strapped around the backs of people on every block. It’s not just here in San Francisco anymore; studios can be found in almost every town in America. It is referenced on TV, in ads, books, and magazines. It’s everywhere. What a dream!
Welcome to our #WellnessWednesday yoga primer. Yoga is a wonderful way to become attuned to your body and increase circulation and flexibility. Each week I'll offer you a pose with benefits and instruction.
Children see fruits and vegetables on supermarket shelves, often pre-packed in cling-wrap or conveniently bagged, on a daily basis. Everything is available all the time – watermelons in the middle of winter? No problem. We might take it somewhat for granted that children know where their food originates, but to really open their eyes, they need to be exposed to growing food.
Alignment-based yoga is a broad term for any form of yoga that utilizes knowledge of anatomy to position the body precisely for optimal safety during asana practice. Cues help to align the posture with an awareness of the body’s natural tendencies. Certain schools of yoga have more of an attention to alignment than others.
Alignment-based practice may seem like it’s not overtly “spiritual”. Sometimes there is no incense, Ganesha statues, or even talk of God. However, it’s a practice that translates heavily into day-to-day life.
While much of the Western World is acquainted with the Ancient practice of Yoga, few know of its deep connection to Ayurveda, the science of life. Rooted in the laws of nature, Ayurveda is the healing branch of yoga and the 5000-year-old medicine of holistic being. The science of Ayurveda draws wisdom from the elements of Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether. Believe it or not, the qualities of these elements appear in a yoga practice. Each asana pose carries an energetic remedy.
Summer is upon us! And that means a bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Produce not only tastes best when in season, but it is another way to eat sustainably. Right now, pineapple and cucumber are ripe. The sweetness of the pineapple mixed with the cooling effects of cucumber will help you beat the heat.
In the midst of busy work schedules and obligations, we will inevitably run out of steam if we don’t take some much needed time for ourselves to decompress. Self-care practices act as a reboot and refresh button to our systems. Allowing ourselves to do something good for our mental and physical well-being is absolutely essential to keeping the gears turning smoothly.