Spring Up Your Yoga Step

As the winter months bid farewell to us, we welcome the newness of spring. Although most of us have probably already broken those wonderful resolutions we made in the new year, there's still so much time to start anew. Spring is that new beginning for most and a chance to not just get over those resolutions left behind, but to maybe set our sights on bigger and better things. It's also a great time to do a little detoxing from all the winter hibernation practices (read: extra food for extra warmth, etc.) that are probably catching up to us. Yoga is one of the best and healthiest ways to get back into the swing of things and back on a successful track towards a healthier you.

To get your started on your spring "cleaning" of the senses, here's a short video on "spring yoga detoxing":

Yoga for Hangovers - Celebrating March Madness and St. Patrick's Day

They probably could have used some yoga.

March Madness is here dear readers, but what does that have to do with yoga? Well, we can incorporate yoga in just about any situation when we need some sort of "rebooting" and the month of March brings forth quite a few events and holidays that will probably make you want to do a little more downward dogs. First off, there's St. Patrick's Day. Besides the delicious and traditional meal of corned beef and cabbage, soda bread and Colcannon potatoes, there is the huge amounts of (green) beer and other libations that people will be partaking in. What does a keg of Guinness equal to the next day? That's right lovely folks - a hangover. And what's a better way to cure a hangover? If you guessed yoga, then you get a green happy face.

And speaking of hangovers, we are also about to enter the frenzy that is the NCAA basketball tournaments, lovingly called March Madness. This is when sixty-four college teams vie to become the last one standing to win the big dance. It's also a time when there will be parties and happy hours galore for merry game-watching fun. Again, hangovers will reign supreme. And again, there will be the wonderful world of yoga to help alleviate those headaches the next day. Since we truly want you to enjoy (and get ready for) this wonderful month, here's a very useful video that you might need to keep handy for all the celebrating you're about to partake in.

Those Crazy Animals and their Yoga!

The world can be quite a challenging beast, to say the least, and sometimes there's just no better escape than our yoga mats.  Another diversion also comes from the love of our animals, or should we say, our deep love for animals. For those who have pets, many can attest that they become and are like our own children, and their love is often seen as unconditional. Pets have been known to be a great source of stress-reliever for the owners, and studies have shown that they also help lower blood pressure and lessen anxiety. Sounds like we're describing a few of the benefits of yoga, right? Two completely different beasts that both help the person they're "serving".

So what if we combined the two? There are now classes out there that combine yoga with animals - Doga (yoga with dogs) anyone? And although that sounds interesting, something more lighthearted and silly might just be what the doctor is ordering today. After all, it's been a tough few months (years?) watching and listening to a lot negative stuff in the news. Why not watch a video that will hopefully put put a smile on our faces. So take a seat, relax, unwind, and be inspired by animals and yoga. Enjoy the video!

Valentine's Day Special: Couples Yoga

Om with your honey.
 (picture via womenshealthmag.com)

A couple that practices yoga together (on Valentine's Day) stays together? Well, who knows if that's really the case but doesn't it sound good, hopeful and romantic? Don't get us wrong, there's absolutely nothing remotely bad about a couples massage and/or a lovely and relaxing day at the spa. After all, who can say no to a luxurious body peel and maybe a much-needed mani-pedi with your sweetie? And what about the typical flowers and dinner combo that will probably be on everyone's itinerary come the 14th? Well, those aren't horrible ideas either. Boring and typical, but not horrible. So how about shaking up this year's Valentine's Day while also doing something healthy for you and your loved one? Why not try doing yoga together? It speaks romance in many different ways. Don't believe us? Here are a few reasons.

1. Yoga is one of the best ways to relax. Look up relaxation in any thesaurus and wonderful words such as fun, enjoyment and pleasure are found. Let's take the word pleasure for instance. Who wouldn't want that on the most romantic day of year? And you're also getting your healthy on? It's definitely a win-win for you and your boo.

2. There's nothing that can center you and your significant other better than yoga. Having some communication blocks with your hubby lately? Or maybe there's just too much talking but not enough "real" connection. Yoga, with its root on stillness, can help couples clear their minds and open their ears and hearts.

3. It's fun. Yes, ladies and gents, yoga is fun (but you already know that because you're reading this lovely yoga blog). It's also challenging and an awesome way to bond with your mate. How about the Butterfly Supported Forward Bend? Doesn't that sound fun and sexy? It's just one of the many poses couples can partake in by doing yoga together.

Here's a video on partner yoga in celebration of Valentine's Day. Enjoy!

Why Athletes And Yoga Should Fall In-Love

Super Bowl Champs NY Giants doing the poses

Last year the New York Giants won Super Bowl XLVI using a secret weapon - YOGA. If your first guess was that the Giants own the only known New England Patriots kryptonite available to mankind, then I might have accepted that answer, too. But truthfully, it was the yoga. For the last eleven years, the New York Giants players have greatly benefited from season-long yoga sessions.Not only is it a source of relaxation in an otherwise rough, loud and contentious sport; but it's become a welcome addition to their regular routines of runs, drills and weight training.

The Giants specifically practice Vinyasa yoga, also called power yoga, which focuses on the alignment and movement of the breath. With all the harshness that the sport of football brings, keeping ones joints open and flexible, via the help of yoga, is a smart thing to do. Now, we're not sure yet if the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers are planning to get with the program and take on this practice, too. If they haven't, they might want to seriously think about it and contact the Giants to get the number of their yoga instructor. Because who knows - they might just end up doing the hero pose wearing a Super Bowl ring. 

If you want to do yoga like the athletes do, check out the video below.

Marines studying meditative practices, yoga-type exercises

Here's another reason why the practice of yoga is amazing. It can help so many different types of people. Below is a wonderful story of how our armed forces, specifically the Marines, are studying meditative and yoga practices based on mindfulnes. Please share and comment. - Namaste, Marne

story/picture via Associated Press

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - The U.S. Marine Corps, known for turning out some of the military's toughest warriors, is studying how to make its troops even tougher through meditative practices, yoga-type stretching and exercises based on mindfulness.

Marine Corps officials say they will build a curriculum that would integrate mindfulness-based techniques into their training if they see positive results from a pilot project. Mindfulness is a Buddhist-inspired concept that emphasizes active attention on the moment to keep the mind in the present.

Facing a record suicide rate and thousands of veterans seeking treatment for post-traumatic stress, the military has been searching for ways to reduce strains on service members burdened with more than a decade of fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Marine Corps officials are testing a series of brain calming exercises called "Mindfulness-Based Mind Fitness Training" that they believe could enhance the performance of troops, who are under mounting pressures from long deployments and looming budget cuts expected to slim down forces.

"Some people might say these are Eastern-based religious practices but this goes way beyond that," said Jeffery Bearor, the executive deputy of the Marine Corps training and education command at its headquarters in Quantico, Va.. "This is not tied to any religious practice. This is about mental preparation to better handle stress."

The School Infantry-West at Camp Pendleton will offer the eight-week course starting Tuesday to about 80 Marines.

The experiment builds on a 2011 study involving 160 Marines who were taught to focus their attention by concentrating on their body's sensations, including breathing, in a period of silence. The Marines practiced the calming methods after being immersed in a mock Afghan village with screaming actors and controlled blasts to expose them to combat stress. Naval Health Research Center scientist Douglas C. Johnson, who is leading the research, monitored their reactions by looking at blood and saliva samples, images of their brains and problem-solving tests they took.

For the rest of the story, click HERE.

New Year's Yoga Detox Workout

Happy New Year, fellow yogis and yoginis! Here's a great yoga detox workout for those who want to get back into the swing of things for the new year. Please share and comment. - Namaste, Marne