July 08, 2019 at 09:30AM by CWC There’s no denying that yoga is one of the most relaxing workouts around; however, there’s nothing quite as Zen-busting as looking around and wondering why some people’s bodies allow them to do things yours doesn’t. Case in point: Getting your heels to the ground in downward facing dog. Due to one’s muscle flexibility, particular movements are inherently more difficult for some people than others (regardless of how simple they may look). “It feels obvious that you need to stretch your hamstrings and calves more to achieve heel-to-mat contact but this can often be a misconception,” says Bar Method master trainer Kate Grove. “Many people with really tight calves, hamstrings, and even short Achilles tendons will never reach the floor.” And while that trifecta is enough to keep you from striking the pose, your ankles could also be to blame. According to CorePower Yoga Minnesota area leader and instructor Anastasia Albert, some people experience compression on the fronts of their ankles in down dog. “The pressure is due to the structure of the ankle joint, causing bone to run into bone,” she explains. “This is simply how some bodies are built.” ad_intervals[‘401238_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘401238_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); Instead of dwelling on these areas, Grove suggests concentrating on lengthening the upper body, drawing your shoulders down, lifting your hips up and back, and pulling in the navel. “This way you will create more space in the front and
Category: Yoga
This summer’s eclipses may feel like time travel back to the year 2000
July 07, 2019 at 01:00PM by CWC With two eclipses happening in July, it’s the kind of month where old issues are likely to pop up again—specifically, those from back in the year 2000, says astrologer Jennifer Racioppi. So cue the NSYNC, because it’s time to relive the turn of the century, to close the chapter on decades-old problems once and for all. Last week’s solar eclipse was the first of two this month, and July 9 marks the halfway point of the two eclipses. (It is also the date of the quarter moon, the midpoint between last week’s new moon and next week’s full moon.) Eclipses act like brooms, sweeping away the old aspects of our life, and making room for fresh beginnings. This cycle closes out chapters that began in July of 2000. Eclipses act like brooms, sweeping away the old aspects of our life, and making room for fresh beginnings. This cycle closes out chapters that began in July of 2000. Eclipses command our attention and bring the shadows into the light. They clear through old stories and patterns that no longer serve you, while inviting what’s yet to come. Because of this, you want to stay aware, giving yourself space to decompress, while simultaneously paying close attention to your emotions. If you can, under-schedule yourself. ad_intervals[‘406224_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘406224_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); The waxing quarter moon, meanwhile, happens at 16 degrees of Libra at 6:54 a.m. on July 9. With Libra
10 date ideas that’ll bring the butterflies back when your relationship feels routine
July 07, 2019 at 12:00PM by CWC In the early stages of a relationship, even the most mundane activities seem like romantic things to do. Nights in binge-watching TV are a chance to cozy up. Going to the neighborhood sushi restaurant twice a week is cute because it becomes “your spot.” But after a while, those same things may start to feel snoozy and predictable. One way to bring back the sizzle factor? Get out of your comfort zone and do something adventurous together. That’s right: Rose-petal bubble baths aren’t actually the fastest route to romance, despite what dozens of romcoms would have us believe. “Even in long-term relationships, you can hack your brain to feel fluttery, in-love feelings with your partner by doing activities together that are novel, new, or even anxiety-provoking,” says Lisa Marie Bobby, PhD, founder and clinical director at Growing Self Counseling and Coaching in Broomfield, CO. (This immediately explains all those bungee-jumping dates on The Bachelorette.) ad_intervals[‘404860_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘404860_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); Activities like these aren’t just about beating boredom—novelty stimulates the release of dopamine, a brain chemical involved in that top-of-the-world, skipping-through-the-streets, song-in-your-heart feeling of falling in love. “Dopamine keeps love fresh and new,” says Dr. Bobby. So it makes sense that if you want to keep that sensation alive, it’s important to do things together that flood your brain with this feel-good chemical. The result: sustained attraction, inspiring conversation, and good memories. Below are 10 unexpectedly
8 traditional hot yoga studios for working up a serious sweat in New York City
July 07, 2019 at 10:00AM by CWC There’s nothing quite like that feeling when you walk out of a Bikram yoga class: You’re totally sweaty and spent, but you feel renewed—and, dare we say it, a little bit buzzed? If you’re not familiar with Bikram, it’s a series of 26 postures and two pranayama, or breathing, exercises done in a heated room. (Bikram’s creator, Bikram Choudhury, left the United States in 2016 following a series of sexual assault charges, so many studios are taking his name off their class schedules, choosing to call the practice “traditional hot yoga,” or something similar, instead.) While the moves may be the same, what sets one class apart from the next are the awesome, supportive, educational, and inspirational teachers at the studio. Whether you’re new to traditional hot yoga or have an established practice, and whether you live in New York City or are visiting, we’re saving you from the need to drown in reviews: Here are a dozen great Bikram studios near you. ad_intervals[‘406161_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘406161_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); Bode NYC The studio says it opened as Manhattan’s first Bikram studio in 1999. They have four locations around the city: Flatiron, Midtown, and the Upper East and the Upper West Sides. Along with 60- and 90-minute Bikram, they also offer other styles, like Hot HIIT and Hot Bode Power Flow. Four locations in Manhattan YogaCare Refresh with coconut water after class at this yoga studio in
9 cooling weighted blankets to keep you comfy on hot summer nights
July 07, 2019 at 06:03AM by CWC There’s absolutely nothing worse than drifting off to sleep blissfully wrapped up in your cozy, anxiety-reducing weighted blanket only to wake up in the middle of the night lying in a pool of your own sweat. That’s not exactly the pool I was hoping to spend time in this summer. I pictured a lot more swan floats and lavender-infused cocktails in that scenario. During the cold winter months, sleeping with a weighted blanket isn’t a problem. Any extra warmth is greatly appreciated. But it’s not like I’m just going to suddenly abandon my prized possession for a single top sheet in order to stay cool throughout the summer. No, thank you. To combat the issue, some companies have created cooling weighted blanket options that bring on the comfort—minus the sweat!—using things like temperature control materials and glass beads. It’s a (literal) dream come true. When you’re ready to get the best night’s sleep of your life this summer, these are the best cooling weighted blankets for summer. ad_intervals[‘405085_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘405085_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); The best cooling weighted blankets Buy Now BlanQuil Chill Cooling Weighted Blanket $249 Buy Now Pine and River Cooling Weighted Blanket $80 Buy Now COMHO Weighted Blanket with Cooling Cotton $43 Buy Now Degrees of Comfort Weighted Blanket with Covers for Hot & Cold Sleepers $120 Buy Now Weighted Evolution Cooling Weighted Blanket $110 Buy Now CuteKing Cooling Weighted Blanket $100 Buy Now
This $15 yoga mat bag is the most exciting thing I got on Amazon all year
July 07, 2019 at 04:01AM by CWC Whenever I go to yoga, I try my hardest not to bring a bag. All I need are the essentials: phone, keys, wallet, water bottle, and of course, my mat. But since most leggings have no pockets, I either begrudgingly carry a tote or perform a balancing act that once ended with my phone on the subway tracks. But one day, I’d had enough. As any good millennial, I turned to Amazon to solve my problems. And then, I stumbled upon this beauty: Wismi Yoga Mat Carrier Bag ($15). Photo: wismi The bag is complete a spot for your water bottle and a HUGE front pocket that’s big enough to carry my all the stuff I mentioned before plus a small book and (probably) all the products in my skincare routine. It’s also got an inside pocket for anything you want to keep hidden. It’s a canvas bag with an adjustable strap that comes in 11 super-cute patterns and colors. ad_intervals[‘404803_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘404803_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); Now, please excuse me while I take my multifunctional yoga mat bag and pretend to be an organized minimalist while on my way to class. Practicing on a mat can actually make some of your poses harder. And here’s how to keep from sliding around your mat like it’s a slip ‘n slide. Continue Reading… Author Kara Jillian Brown | Well and Good Selected by CWC
How loss doulas help women process the grief of miscarriage
July 05, 2019 at 12:00PM by CWC While there are certainly still many unfortunate taboos about miscarriage, more and more people have started speaking out about their pregnancy loss experience. Yogi and mom Hilaria Baldwin shared the details of her miscarriage on Instagram as it was happening earlier this year, and wellness maven and HBFIT founder Hannah Bronfman opened up about her miscarriage in April. Beyond celebrities, everyday women are honoring their experience with beautiful, rainbow-themed photoshoots for the children they conceived after the heartbreak of a miscarriage. With 10 to 25 percent of clinically recognized pregnancies ending in miscarriage, it’s great that we’re finally talking about something that is a relatively common experience. Unfortunately, there’s still not a lot of information out there about how navigate the actual miscarriage process, both physically and mentally. That’s where a doula can come in. While doulas are typically known for helping women through pregnancy and the birthing process, they serve a lot of other purposes too—one being helping women through pregnancy loss. These doulas are called “loss doulas.” ad_intervals[‘403099_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘403099_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); “A doula can be present and supportive for someone during a loss in a way that many people in their lives might not be able to,” says Megan Davidson, a doula at Brooklyn Doula and author of the upcoming book Your Birth Plan. This can be particularly important for those who miscarry in the first trimester—long before many people share their
This 10-minute, at-home leg workout will make you want to cancel your gym membership
July 05, 2019 at 01:32AM by CWC Wanna burn out that lower body? Try this 10-minute leg workout from Charlee Atkins, here. It’s easy to focus on your ab, arm, and—of course—your butt workouts, since it feels like you’re hitting your legs naturally by, ya know, going places. But your lower body could use some special love and dedicated workouts, too. After all, your legs are the ones that are going to walk you to that beach this summer—and to get another glass of rosé—right? And so, we had Le Sweat creator Charlee Atkins share her go-to lower body workout. It may only take 10 minutes, but don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s easy. By the end, even Atkins is sweatin’. Check out the video below, and test it out for yourself—all you need is a set of dumbbells… and some serious leg strength. ad_intervals[‘405819_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘405819_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); Warmup Do each move for 30 seconds for a total of four minutes Hip circles (right): On your hands and knees (or “quadruped position”) with both hands planted firmly beneath your shoulders, raise your right leg into the air and draw circles with your knee. Keep your back straight, as if you were holding a yoga block on top. Hip circles (left): Repeat the same exact move on your left for 30 seconds. Basic bodyweight squat: Plant your feet slightly farther apart than your hips with your toes pointing out, and squat by
By scheduling time to do nothing every day for a week, I learned the secret to creativity
July 04, 2019 at 06:00AM by CWC I recently fell down an internet rabbit hole that taught me the scintillating history of—I kid you not—boredom. I closed my laptop with a newfound appreciation for the family road trips of my childhood that, at the time, made me want to cry for the sheer purpose of having something to do. That’s because what I didn’t know then is that research suggests that those rare moments when we’re not preoccupied with our screens, caught in the riptide of our inner-monologues, or out to dinner with friends are undiscovered gold mines for creativity. Tedium has existed throughout the course of human history, but not quite in the same way it does now: John Eastwood, PhD, of Toronto’s York University tells Smithsonian Magazine that the type of boredom the Kardashians must feel as directors shoot reel after reel of them lazing around on the couch, hashing out the minutiae of their lives (Kanye! Sushi! Pickles!) is relatively new. Over the last 100 years, humankind has gotten a taste of a new flavor of unbridled entertainment thanks to the likes of Netflix, Candy Crush Saga, and Pokémon Go. Now, any idle moment stands out in stark contrast. “We are very used to be passingly entertained,” Dr. Eastwood says. “We have changed our understanding of the human condition as one of a vessel that needs to be filled.” Essentially, we don’t know how to do nothing. ad_intervals[‘399462_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘399462_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);});
I turned my ‘reminders’ app into a 100 percent free personal trainer
July 03, 2019 at 10:43AM by CWC My normal reaction to push notifications is usually more “Gah” than “Ahhh.” Plenty of human beings tell me what to do every day, so why (why?!) would I want my smartphone to boss me around, too? While I say no, no, and no to any and all apps that try to send me digital telegrams (just STOP Instagram), I have—as of late—harnessed the power of my iPhone “Reminders” app to re-inspire my workouts. In case you’ve never played around with this particular application taking up space on your home screen, here’s your primer: You set “reminders” (go figure) to ping you at a time or location of your choosing. Each notification can then be customized to be extra-urgent, sorted into a list of your choosing, and even annotated with further detail. TBH: It’s pretty user-friendly, and for those of us who thrive on nailing down the nitty-gritty details of our exercise regimens, it’s. so. satisfying. ad_intervals[‘405943_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘405943_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); Using “Reminders” to schedule your sweat session is definitely a “choose your own adventure” kind of thing. Get creative! Do it your way! Personally though, I like to sit down on Sunday and plan my week of yoga, running, and strength training. I start by typing in a snappy header that says something like, “It’s arm day, bee-atch!” or “Namaste at 7 o’clock.” I then plug in the day, set the priority to one exclamation point