June 21, 2019 at 11:05AM by CWC Whenever I hit the gym, I try my best to focus on my own workout. I sprint on the treadmill, throw a few kettlebells around, and mostly mind my own business. Every once in a while, however, I’m pulled out of my sweaty workout haze by the sight of someone performing an exercise that looks—how should I put this? …Terrible. This week, I saw a poor soul performing a crunch variation called a “block assisted crunch.” I said a silent prayer for his abs and went about my normal routine. Now, I have every intention of stealing the move for my next gym sesh. In case you’re unfamiliar with this particular form of midsection torture, allow me to elaborate. A block assisted crunch involves squeezing a yoga block between your knee and and elbow on one side of the body, while performing a crunch with the other. The result, according to Maillard Howell, owner of CrossFit Prospect Heights in Brooklyn and founder of the The Beta Way, is an ab workout the engages your core in a novel (read: extremely difficulty) way. ad_intervals[‘402854_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘402854_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); “It takes a certain amount of proprioception, or awareness of the position of the body, and muscle activation to keep the trunk engaged on that side so the block doesn’t drop, all while doing the dynamic movement with other side,” he says. Both your mind and your body have to focus
Category: Yoga
7 workout streaming subscriptions that cost less than $10 a month
June 21, 2019 at 10:45AM by CWC At this point, you could become a total recluse and still manage to have everything you need to be happy and healthy. (You know, besides a little sunshine.) Amazon has you covered with two-day shipping on anything your heart desires, there are nutritious meal kits and grocery delivery services galore, and Netflix and Hulu could keep you entertained for life. And thanks to the ever-growing number of online workout subscription services, who even needs to trek all the way to the gym? I’ve tried nearly every gym chain and boutique fitness class imaginable, but I’ll choose workouts in my living room over pricey in-person sweat sessions any day. In the past, exercising at home meant pulling up YouTube and selecting one of the millions of videos available. But in recent years, some of the world’s most beloved studios, gyms, and trainers have created streaming services that allow you to exercise at home just as effectively as you would anywhere else. And the best part is you can do so for a fraction of the cost. ad_intervals[‘402711_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘402711_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); While you can get a monthly subscription for under $40, you can do even better than that. Now a handful of options won’t cost you more than $10 a month, and they’re worth every penny. The best at-home workout programs for less than $10 1. modelFIT Cost: $9.99/month A celebrity favorite since it first opened its
Real Talk: I practice hot power yoga in cashmere and will never go back
June 21, 2019 at 07:00AM by CWC What I’m about to regale to you is not practical. Not one bit. But ask the regulars who practice hot yoga beside me on a daily basis, and they’ll tell you that I’m the girl who shows up in a cashmere sweater layered over actual workout gear. I first introduced the additional layers into my repertoire to make sure I broke a sweat earlier on in the class (because who doesn’t feel incredible during a great sweat session?). Over the years of practicing hot yoga, I’ve noticed that it takes me longer to work up a sweat, so while newbies might not need the cashmere to heat things up, it certainly makes things more efficient for me. And despite the fact that I’m willing to put one of my nicer fabrics through the ringer, I can assure you that I peel the clothing off my body (often with great reluctance) once I begin to drip. Say what you will about the fabric, it’s luxe, it’s soft, it’s oh-so cozy, but it’s not exactly a great sweat-wicking option. ad_intervals[‘392357_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘392357_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); Yoga instructor Steph Armijo explains the draw of heated exercise (yoga or not) saying, “your core temperature rises faster, so you break a sweat much more quickly. The internal heat, coupled with a consistent raised heart rate, will improve aerobic capacity more than you would in a room temperature class.” But, when asked
This Lipstick Shade Gives You Major Post-Yoga Glow Vibes
June 21, 2019 at 12:24AM The color you’ll want to wear all summer long. Continue Reading… Author Alexandra Engler | Life by Daily Burn Selected by CWC
It’s International Yoga Day: Here Are Our Best Flows, Classes & Advice
June 20, 2019 at 11:34PM This calls for a celebration. Continue Reading… Author Ray Bass | Life by Daily Burn Selected by CWC
According to Ayurveda, your groin stores heat—here’s how to cool off
June 20, 2019 at 12:59PM by CWC I’m sorry but “groin” is one of those words that just makes people uncomfortable, or at least giggle or cringe. But, c’mon people—we need to talk about the groin. First of all, it’s an oft-overlooked yet fundamental part of your leg that gets super tight and impacts literally everything you do, from sitting to squat jumps. And now I hear that your groin stores heat. (Go ahead and laugh thinking about a hot groin, it’s fine.) In Ayurveda, your body gets more heat in the summer (of course), but that heat gets stored in your inner leg area. “We consider summer to be the pitta time of year, and as a product of our environment, Ayurveda teaches us that we accumulate more internal heat in the summer months,” says Erin Casperson, dean of Kripalu School of Ayurveda, yoga teacher, and Ayurvedic health counselor. “Just like we favor seasonal eating and adjust our diet to balance out the hot qualities of summer, we can also adjust our yoga practice seasonally.” ad_intervals[‘402437_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘402437_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); The thing about pitta in Ayurveda is that it’s a blend of fire and water elements, so, according to Casperson, it’s key to bring in elements of earth and space in order to bring balance.”This is based on the Ayurvedic principle that like creates more like and opposites bring balance,” she says. So in your vinyasa, focus on the straight and
We found a 2-for-1 move that stretches and strengthens your shoulders at the same time
June 20, 2019 at 07:50AM by CWC The best workout moves are the kind that kill two birds with one stone (or, in PETA’s words, “feed two birds with one scone”). Think: Burpees, which work your whole body in a single (hard AF) explosion, or downward facing dog, which give your muscles a hearty stretch from head to toe. Another one of our favorites? The “teacup” move, which sadly does not involve a piping hot cup of Earl Grey, both stretches and strengthens your shoulders at the same time. The teacup gets its name from the idea that when you do it you have to imagine that you’re holding a delicate cup and saucer in you palm. The movement provides an internal and external rotation, working the muscles that run through your shoulder elbow and wrist all at the same time. “Think of your muscles as a soaking wet towel, this movement simulates wringing out that towel by adding flexion, extension and rotation to the joints,” says Mitchell Fischer, ACSM-CPT, a fitness manager at Gold’s Gym. The move is intended to mobilize the muscles that support your shoulder, elbow and wrist stability, he adds: “This is much more effective than massage or foam rolling, which is like taking that same wet towel and trying to get the water out by simply squeezing in between your hands.” ad_intervals[‘402422_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘402422_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); Here’s how to do the teacup, one of the best shoulder
This 12-move dynamic stretching routine will open you up from head to toes
June 19, 2019 at 01:00PM by CWC When you’re about to push your body to its limits during a workout, the very first thing you want to do is perform a warmup that will adequately prep your body for what’s to come. Enter dynamic stretching, or the idea that moving through stretches will help to make your workout more impactful in the long run. “Warmups gradually rev up your cardiovascular system, increasing your heart rate, systolic blood pressure, cardiac output, and body temperature to improve blood flow to your muscles, effectively preparing them for the positive stress of exercise,” says manager of training development and barre kinesiologist at Pure Barre Rachelle Reed, PhD. “Some studies also show that warmups may reduce the risk of injuries.” While that’s all legit, you might be wondering what actually constitutes a well-rounded dynamic warmup. According to Reed, the trick is to perform multi-muscle group, multi-joint movements to gauge your range of motion and help your body warm-up efficiently for 5 to 10 minutes before diving into full sets. ad_intervals[‘388787_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘388787_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); As for the exact exercises, ahead, with the help of some of the industry’s top trainers, we’ve listed 12 dynamic body movements that will leave your limbs feeling ready for whatever you have in store for your workout du jour. 1. Inchworm Push-ups Mindbody wellness manager Kate Ligler, NASM-certified Flywheel instructor Jared Poulin, and personal trainer, New York Sports Club Lab master instructor
Brands are betting big on CBD-laced foods—but are they really going to be beneficial?
June 19, 2019 at 02:00AM by CWC In my LA neighborhood, CBD has just about overtaken the avocado as the hyped-up ingredient du jour. On a typical morning, I start my day at yoga, where I have the option to buy a CBD-infused juice after the cool-down. Afterward, I stop for groceries at a local health-food store and spot CBD honey and chocolate on the shelves. And as I stroll home, I pass an indie bakery advertising CBD donuts on a sidewalk chalkboard. Of course, food trends heat up quickly on the West Coast, especially when they’re linked with health benefits like the ones attributed to CBD—a non-psychoactive compound found in hemp and cannabis plants. What makes the ingredient’s ascent so surprising is that it hasn’t yet been FDA-approved for food or drinks, and it’s technically been barred from these products in states like California and New York. (The ban hasn’t been strongly enforced, in most cases, which is why a lot of indie brands aren’t heeding it.) But it’s safe to say that if and when the FDA does decide that edible preparations of CBD are kosher, we’ll be hit with an even bigger flood of cannabinoid edibles hitting the market. ad_intervals[‘400918_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘400918_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); Need proof? As the federal government continues to hammer out its stance on CBD, big food conglomerates, too, are priming themselves to jump into the fray. PepsiCo and Coca-Cola execs have both stated that they’re
Tired Of The Same Yoga Poses? Here’s How To Spice Up Your Practice
June 19, 2019 at 01:05AM For those days when getting on your mat feels like a chore. Continue Reading… Author Ava Johanna | Life by Daily Burn Selected by CWC