October 29, 2018 at 09:30AM In the same way that you can do less and get more out of your yoga class, so too, can you master moves on your mat that feel like a massage. I repeat: there are yoga moves that feel like a massage…for free. And according to Beth Cooke, a New York City yoga instructor and the co-leader of the Well+Good Retreat at the Cedar Lakes Estate in Upstate New York, these unicorn sequences are an excellent restorative practice that’ll aid in prehab and recovery, two fitness trends currently on the rise. “It’s a really cheap way of self-soothing the body—you don’t have to go spend millions of dollars at the spa; you can do it on your own,” she says. By knowing just a few go-to moves (three to be exact, which Cooke shares below), you can get started today. Keep scrolling to find out the yoga moves that are so good, you might be able to break up with your masseuse. Yoga move to massage: armpits “Step your right foot forward into your low lunge, and stack your right armpit on top of your right knee—it fits like a ball in a mitt,” says Cooke. “Then make a fist with your right hand and just start to roll the armpit on top of the knee. I know that sounds pretty funny but there’s actually qigong pressure points in your armpit so as you roll your knee into your armpit, you’re reducing anxiety—it helps to relieve stress.
Tag: Featured
A spa treatment with a side of hotel points? What a world
October 26, 2018 at 08:53AM If Exhale Spa and Hyatt have anything to do with it, your on-the-road routine will soon be as healthy as your at-home regimen—sweat sessions and self-care and all. Last year, the Hyatt team announced the acquisition of the buzzy spa that brought you the Core Fusion barre workout. And earlier this month, the hotel chain doubled-down even more on its efforts to make wellness and travel seamlessly intersect by integrating Exhale into the World of Hyatt loyalty program. Meaning, (this is *not* a drill) your spa treatment or hotel stay can bank you points for more self-care or travel in the future. “This is a true first for my industry,”says Annbeth Eschbach, CEO of Exhale. “It’s a loyalty program that allows our Exhale guests and members to earn towards a vacation, or earn towards their next Exhale visit. But more importantly, they’re going to earn points every time they prioritize their self-care.” For every dollar spent at participating Exhale locations, Hyatt rewards you with 10 “Base Points” to use towards lodging at future destinations, fitness classes, or spa services. For example, 2,000 points (or $200 spent) earns you a free space in one of the spa’s barre, cardio, HIIT, or yoga classes, and those with unlimited memberships at Exhale New York will earn five free hotel nights—just by paying their dues. (You can head here to see how you’ll personally benefit!) For every dollar spent at participating Exhale locations, Hyatt rewards you with 10 “Base Points” to use
4 big Orangetheory upgrades that will make your workout even more competitive
October 03, 2018 at 03:28AM With over 1,000 studios (in 17 different countries, no less) and 800,000 members, Orangetheory is one of the fastest-growing boutique fitness franchises in the country. Clearly, they’re doing something right. A big part of that is their science-backed heart rate-driven workout: The key is to get your heart rate past its maximum threshold (an effort of 85 or above on a scale of 1 to 100) for 12 to 20 minutes during the 60-minute class to get a metabolic response, AKA to reap the benefits of an after-burn. Regular OTers know that this is referred to as the orange zone. (Oh and don’t worry, you’re still working out plenty hard the rest of the time, too.) The brand has been busy quietly perfecting a whole slew of new tech features to give the stats even more real-world application. “The idea is to give people more information about how well they’re progressing on their journey, whether it’s for weight loss, strength, endurance, or something else,” Chief Brand Officer Kevin Keith says. “We’re just trying to make it more simple and accessible for people.” There are four big tech upgrades being rolled out in studios everywhere, now through the end of next year. Keep reading for the scoop, straight from the brand’s exclusive, sneak peek event. Photo: Getty Images/Dave Kotinsky 4 big tech upgrades Orangetheory is making right now: 1. All the machines will be outfitted with tablets, tracking your results. You’re used to looking up at the big
3 scientific reasons a lifelong partner-in-crime helps you survive and thrive longer
October 02, 2018 at 11:46AM There are plenty of perks to having a lifelong partner-in-crime. They’re your go-to cuddle buddy for Netflix binge-watching, are always up for spontaneous trips, and are your biggest cheerleader, supporting you in everything that you do. And it turns out always having them by your side is pretty great for your health, too. Researchers found those in happy relationships were 20 percent less likely to die early than those in unhappy relationships. In a new study published in the journal Health Psychology that looked at 19,000 married couples up to 90 years old, researchers found that those in happy relationships were 20 percent less likely to die early than those in unhappy relationships. That’s because there are a few different (very key) reasons why having a ride-or-die can help you survive and thrive longer, and both your physical and mental wellbeing play an important role. Here are 3 science-backed health perks to having a lifelong partner. 1. You encourage each other to be healthier If your partner is hitting the gym, eating a nutritious diet, and making regular appointments with their doctor for check-ups, you undoubtedly will too. Study co-author Mark Whisman told Time that spouses help each other adopt healthy habits that will keep them happy and feeling great for years to come. 2. You keep each other’s mental health in check Physical health is important to living a long life, but so is your mental health. And according to Whisman, having a strong relationship will make
This is how you handle conflict, according to your Myers-Briggs personality type
September 29, 2018 at 06:45AM Do you shut down and shrink back when someone raises their voice? Or maybe you’re always the first one to pipe up and state the facts in an argument. Conflict and confrontation is rarely fun (unless you’re an egoist), but learning to navigate those tricky conversations is necessary for maintaining healthy relationships at work, home, and among friends. It’s part of being a grownup. But each person has their own strengths and weaknesses, and knowing yours can be the key to saving a disagreement from turning into a knock-down, drag-out fight. With the right knowledge and perspective, the conflict could even—gasp—become a productive discussion. Here’s how your Myers-Briggs personality type informs how you deal with disagreements. (If you haven’t figured your type out yet read this before you dive in.) Graphics: Well+Good Creative ISFJ ISFJs will draw on their wealth of knowledge about others’ preferences and personalities, attempting to avoid conflicts before they ever start. Most people are unaware of your behind-the-scenes mediation for friends, or how you explain to your husband how reactive your teen is when she’s had a rough week. While your assistance in side-stepping conflict is admirable, shouldering too much conflict for others is stressful—and sometimes, two parties need to hash out a disagreement to find resolution. You also need to work on articulating your own feelings in arguments, which you can often forget to do trying to please others. ESFJ Your knee-jerk reaction to conflict is, “I can fix it.” And in
5 secrets to becoming a super attractor like Gabby Bernstein
September 27, 2018 at 06:40PM When was the last time you thought about what you really wanted? I’m not talking about a matcha latte or new leggings (don’t get me wrong, those are both great), but about the ambitions you might be afraid to share or the needs you have a hard time saying out loud. Positive vibes guru, number one New York Times best-selling author, and Well+Good Council member Gabby Bernstein says realizing your desires could be as simple as—somewhat counterintuitively—letting go. I’m going to say something that might sound pretty radical: Life is meant to feel good. We are meant to experience joy and serve the world in profound ways. As a spiritual teacher, I’m committed to helping you attract what you desire and live a miraculous life. I’m committed to guiding you to wake up to your Super Attractor power! When you’re able to effortlessly align with the loving energy of the universe and manifest the life you want, you are a Super Attractor. The best part: We all have the capacity to be Super Attractors. To begin your journey, follow these five principles—and keep reading to learn how you can go even deeper with me. Graphics by Abby Maker for Well+Good 1. The universe always says yes. Every thought you have is an energetic message. The universe is always listening, and it always says yes. So you will receive whatever you put out—whether you want it or not. To attract what you desire, you first need to clean up your energetic requests. There’s a
Christine Blasey Ford’s testimony showed that vulnerability is actually a superpower
September 27, 2018 at 03:08PM If you’re familiar with Brené Brown, you’ve heard the phrase “vulnerability is strength.” The University of Houston professor became a TED Talk sensation in 2010 by talking about the power of vulnerability and the role shame plays in toxic relationships, self-destructive behavior, and more. Full disclosure: I am a Brené super fan. But the psychological theory that vulnerability can actually be a superpower never really sat right with me. When you’re vulnerable, you’re giving information that can be used against you later. The more you let people in, the more they can hurt you. The way I saw it, vulnerability is something you share with those you are intimate with: the people you love, the people you trust deeply. And even then, there’s risk. But today, as I watched Christine Blasey Ford, PhD, testify in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I got it. At least, I started to. “Helpful.” That’s the word that pierced my heart every time Dr. Ford uttered it, as eyes around the world focused intently on her. “Helpful.” That’s the word that pierced my heart every time Dr. Ford uttered it, as eyes around the world focused intently on her. As she recounted the story of her encounter with Judge Brett Kavanaugh at a high school party in the early ’80s—in which she alleges he sexually assaulted her, an accusation he tearfully denied during his testimony later in the day—she had every right to be full of rage. But she wasn’t. (If she
Already a zodiac wiz? Calculate your numerology base numbers to learn what makes you tick
September 27, 2018 at 10:57AM “Weird question, but when’s your birthday?” That’s something I always ask when I’m chatting up someone new— whether it’s a work acquaintance, a friend of a friend, or a potential love interest—in order to size them up based on their sun sign. Are they, say, a neat-freak Virgo or a wild-child Sagittarius? But as I recently found out, there’s more woo-woo wisdom to glean from someone’s DOB than their zodiac traits alone: enter numerology meanings. The info can also illuminate your object of interest’s personal numerology, a system not unlike astrology that’s believed to give insight into one’s personality and life path. By adding up the digits in the month, day, and year you were born—and the numbers that correspond to the letters in your name—numerology believers feel you can gain a deeper understanding of your strengths, weaknesses, and a sense of what you’re on here to achieve on the planet. The same applies for gathering the numerology details about those around you. “I feel like numerology has made me a lot more sensitive to other peoples’ needs,” says Novalee Wilder, a certified numerologist based in New York City. “And if you want to stalk your crushes or your coworkers, it’s a fun way to start.” (Okay, now I’m listening.) There are a few different schools of thought regarding numerology, each one slightly different from the next. She personally trained in the Chaldean tradition and considers it her go-to when working with clients it because
A whole lot of people are confused about consent—not just old men in the Senate
September 26, 2018 at 10:14AM We are now weeks into a national conversation about consent and healthy sexual boundaries (or the lack thereof). And it’s getting meta. I mean, how else would you describe this situation? A woman brings forth accusations of attempted sexual assault by a Supreme Court nominee, and after asking the Senate Judiciary Committee to have the FBI investigate her claims, she’s met with a bunch of lawmakers saying they’re going to vote the way they want to vote, no matter what she says—exactly like her alleged abuser did whatever he wanted to do, no matter what she said. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell even breathtakingly said they’re going to “plow right through” Christine Blasey Ford’s allegations and confirm Judge Brett Kavanaugh. (Guys, you know that we can hear you, right?) Many advocates for the judge are loudly questioning whether Ford’s story is even a big deal—and bringing back brutal “boys will be boys” arguments in the process. Basically, they’re unburdening themselves of even the pretense of niceties in a push to get what they want: the Kavanaugh confirmation. (There’s that meta thing again.) But the thing is, consent is not a nicety. It is a basic human right. Anything less is literally criminal. Thanks to the sheer number of disingenuous arguments coming out of DC, there is a lot of confusion about consent right now. But new research shows you can’t blame it all on the Beltway. Thanks to the sheer number of disingenuous arguments coming out of
From Weight Watchers to WW: How the global weight loss company is evolving into a full wellness brand
September 25, 2018 at 06:55AM Three years ago, Weight Watchers was in trouble: The number of sign-ups was down 20 percent, from 3.6 million in 2014 to 2.9 million. Debra Benovitz, the brand’s SVP of consumer insights, conducted a study to glean more information on the company’s perception. And to do that, she asked a thought-probing visual question: “I asked people, if Weight Watchers was a house, what they thought it looked like,” she says. Benovitz put 300 photos on the wall, all related to home decor and architecture, expecting to glean a portrait of whom and what the brand represented in this modern moment of green juices and boutique fitness. Here’s how people described the “house of Weight Watchers” in 2015: “Warm traditional Tudor in family-friendly suburb. Outdated decor and overly cluttered florals. The owner is a pleasantly plump empty-nester who loves chit-chatting. She hosts book clubs and shares simple snacks from a box.” The takeaway: Clearly, the brand needed a makeover. How could the company get people to see that Weight Watchers was for Lululemon-loving, matcha-sipping women, too? The problem wasn’t that Weight Watchers didn’t work. The problem wasn’t that Weight Watchers didn’t work. The brand was founded on the intersection of science-backed ways to lose weight and consumer insights (AKA how to make it actually part of people’s lives). In fact, people following the program were eight times more likely to lose weight than those who tried to do it by themselves (according to a 2013 study), and