How To Pick The Best Yoga Poses For Your Child

Yoga indeed has become a popular, mainstream alternative for exercise and fitness. Here in Los Angeles, hardly a day goes by that I don’t see people walking by with their Yoga Mats rolled up underneath their arms coming from or going to their Yoga class.

Most stay-home moms have picked Yoga up as well as their method of keeping fit and maintaining physical, mental and emotional balance. Upon seeing the apparent results most naturally wonder how their children might be able to benefit form using Yoga for kids. Well, it is my hope that as a Yoga enthusiast myself, you will find this article much helpful in choosing the yoga poses that could be incorporated into your child’s recreational endeavors.

1. Sun Salutations: These are a group of poses that serve as a warm up to a yoga session or class. For staying fit, keeping obesity at bay and fun (especially when performed at a high speed), the Sun Salutations will be an immense source of enjoyment for kids getting introduced to Yoga. Do you know in India, they actually hold contests of how many rounds of Sun Salutations kids can do in one go? Yeah, they are that much fun.

2. The Shoulder Stand: Trust me, behind your back, kids already try this pose. You probably did as a kid without knowing you were actually doing Yoga. So in your use of yoga for kids, make sure the inclusion of this pose is of priority. Executed with the bridge pose and fish-poses as counter poses, for kids doing yoga, the shoulder-stand will reap many benefits.

3. The Forward Bend Pose: This teaches your kids self-dependence and aids immensely at curbing digestive disturbances as an added bonus. I’ll have you know, some authorities of Yoga have said that these three poses mentioned thus far are enough for humans-although this may be slightly erroneous or incomplete as the execution of their counter-poses for a specified amount of time is also of great importance as well.

4. The Wheel Pose: Okay, I was walking through the park the other day and saw a kid who couldn’t have been more than 8 years of age executing this pose for literally 90 seconds. Yes, I counted this out of amazement and intrigue. It’s been hailed as the “forever young pose”, consequently when using yoga for kids; this has got to be included. Co-incidentally it is the counter-pose to the third pose above.

5. The Relaxation Pose: Of course this is a must-do for everyone. When introducing your kids to yoga, this will be a good time to show them how to relax with its use as a secret for relief from school stress and the little challenges they may face in their young lives. Yes, they do have some demands placed on them parents. Moreover showing this to them now will go a long way with laying the foundation on how to deal with the daily demands of life.

Other great poses to consider are the Bow, Triangle, Spinal-Twist, Inclined and Diamond Poses. Kids should also be shown proper breathing exercises with emphasis on Abdominal Breathing.

Other factors to be included when using yoga for kids are the use of a proper, nourishing diet of Fresh Fruits and vegetables-(emphasis on leafy ones) and positive thinking techniques. On the subject of diets, you can add some celery juice to their fresh fruit juices if you have one of those popular juicers such as the juiceman. This is one way of sneaking in a good source of powerful minerals into their bodies, tastefully. Oh, before I forget, they love BARHI dates! Moms, these are just like their rather harmful counterfeits (candies at the store) but of course are sources of great nutrients.

Yoga for kids is best begun around the age of seven, however, kids-being-kids, they of course will emulate what they see you doing, so as long as you know they are not in harm’s way, it’s okay to let them dabble a bit into Yoga.

Indeed using Yoga is both fun for kids and beneficial for as the book of Prov. 22. 6 states, it is one effective method of “Training your child in the way he should go…” as the discipline and confidence that comes from Yoga (and Martial Arts too-just a hint)

may only be attainable from this ancient form of physical culture.

So Moms and Dads, go on and get your kids started on yoga. You’ll be glad you did.

Triathlon Training Tips For All Levels of Triathlete

Whether you are a seasoned veteran or a beginner triathlete, the following triathlon training tips will help you have a better race day.

Triathlon Tip #10
Train on the Bike you Race
One thing you must do is train on the bike you will use on race day.You don’t have to have the most expensive bike at the race as long as you are comfortable on the one you use. Don’t spend months training on one bike and use a different one for the race.

Triathlon Tip #9
Invest in Good Shoes
Spend the money on a good pair of shoes from a store that specializes in running. The expert employees will be able to fit your feet with the perfect shoe for your gait, foot shape and race ambitions. You will be on your feet for a good portion of the race so be sure to be comfortable.

Triathlon Tip #8
Train for the Water you will Race In
If the triathlon has an open water start, practice in open water, rather than the pool. The more you practice in the conditions you will have at the race, the more prepared you will be on race day. If you are racing in the ocean, you may encounter choppy waves. To combat the chop use shorter strokes , then longer, more efficient strokes once the water smoothes out. During your training, focus on your swimming technique because this will make the largest difference in your results on race day. Make sure your breathing, kick, body position, and arm rotation are in the proper form.

Triathlon Tip #7
Train for Transitions
Training for transitions can save precious minutes on race day. Time how long it takes to change from your wetsuit to your cycling gear, then find ways to decrease this time such as stepping out of your wet suit while fastening your helmet, or putting your feet in your cycling shoes while they are already strapped into your pedals. You should grab your visor and race number and put it on while running out of T2. Why stand there and put it on.

Triathlon Tip #6
Don’t Over Train
It is easy to get swept up in the excitement of training for a triathlon, but don’t forget to plan days of rest in your training program. On race day, your adrenaline will help carry you through. Don’t risk injury for a few extra hours of training. Be sure to rest your body and you will be much better off for it.

Triathlon Tip #5
Train For The Length of Race You Are Running
If you are running a sprint triathlon, train for speed not endurance. Interval training is a technique you can use for the type of all out racing you will be doing in a sprint. Introduce shorts intervals of running, cycling, or swimming at an increased pace, then slow your pace until your breathing has recovered. Repeat this technique during your training and you will get faster.

Triathlon Tip #4
Vary your Workout
If you normally train indoors, head outside for a trail run. You need to provide yourself with a change every once in a while so your mind does not become bored with the same regimen day in and day out.

Triathlon Tip #3
Lubricate Your Body
Lubricate all contact points on your body with any number of commercially available body glides. You can find these at any fitness or running store. There is nothing worse than getting off the bike with a rash and then running for miles.

Triathlon Tip #2
Fuel Your Body
Running and bike stores stock an array of energy gels, drinks, and supplements. Energy gels and blocks are easy to carry in the pouch of a fuel belt and will keep your energy level high and your performance at its peak on race day. Every body has different needs so it will take some experimenting to figure out what works for your body.

Triathlon Tip #1
Slow and Steady Start Wins the Race
Many people have burned out midway through a race because they started out too fast. Since the first leg of a triathlon is in the water, plan to train and swim at a steady pace that you can sustain. You should train for the exact strategy you will use in your swimming portion. When entering the water, you should run until the water reaches knee-level, as this will maximize your efficiency. Prepare yourself mentally for the psychology of the other racers. Many of the racers will be sprinting from the very beginning of the race. You should stay relaxed and maintain proper breathing while building into your rhythm. While other racers will try to align themselves as close as possible to the first buoy, you should not follow the pack. Instead, feel comfortable starting outside, and then eventually come into the line as you near the first buoy. You can use the faster racers to make your swim more easy by drafting. While not legal for the bike, it is very legal and beneficial during the swim. As the faster racer passes by, slip in just behind them and you can feel the difference in your effort. Do not try and keep their pace, but instead stay with them only until you lose the benefit of their draft. By not over-expending energy in the water, you will be refreshed for the cycle and ready to go.

Training for a triathlon is an exciting, rewarding experience. The proper training and equipment can ensure that you finish strongly and safely in your next triathlon. I hope this triathlon training advice will be of some use to you.

You can find triathlon training tips and resources here. 

How to Maximize Your Mx Fitness Performance

Fitness training is an important part of motocross training. We could go as far as saying that once you have become familiar with the most important riding techniques and tips, it is the fitness training program that you use that can really make the difference between simply finishing the race and finishing each race in the top spot. Many riders may think this statement is somewhat exaggerated, but in fact it is not. Mx training should consist of four distinct areas, namely practice, exercise, diet and mental preparation. Each of these will have a positive impact on your overall performance, provided you acknowledge their importance and act accordingly. And mx fitness should definitely not be overlooked.

Why is mx fitness so important? Because it can make a huge difference as far as your performance is concerned. Everyone knows that agility, flexibility, endurance and strength are of essence when it comes to motocross, and all these can only be achieved with mx fitness. Of course, you can choose to create your own fitness program that would keep you in good shape, but how certain are you that it will work? Maximizing your motocross performance is not a matter of exercising constantly. The kind of exercises you do and the way you do them is most important. And this is where mx fitness comes into place. We are talking about specific exercises that will help you overcome your weak points and break through your barriers. Doing the same exercises over and over again will eventually increase your strength and endurance, but they will definitely not lead to the spectacular results that a well-structured mx training program will give you. Mx fitness should not be about exercising as much as possible, but about exercising in a specific way, as required by your current fitness level and your specific situation.

If you are thinking of using supplements to boost your performance, you’d better think twice. Studies have shown that more than ninety per cent of all the sports supplements available on the market today are inefficient. But when it comes to a good mx training program, you can be certain that your money is well spent. Mx fitness can help you achieve a lot more than any type of supplements will ever give you. Inadequate exercises or too much exercise plus worthless supplements are a combination that will most likely fail to provide the expected results. On the other hand, adequate mx fitness and mx training will help you attain the results that you have dreamed of for so long.

Mx fitness programs are available from a series of providers. It is very important that you perform a diligent search and make and informed choice, because your performance is directly affected. A very smart move on your part would be to look for such mx training programs from those who have a wealth of experience in this field. Any fitness instructor can create an mx fitness program, but you can never be too sure that it will actually work to your needs. On the other hand, if the creator of such an mx training program has years of experience in motocross and mx fitness, it is very likely that you will attain the results that the mx training program promises.

For more resources about Mx training or even about mx fitness please review this link http://www.mxtrainingjournal.com

Benefits You Can Get In Salsa Dancing

More and more people are flocking in Gym and fitness center these days but pumping iron or running on the treadmill is not the only way to get fit– as it used to be. There is a much more fun way to get sweaty for the sake of achieving a healthy and fit body. So what is this good alternative to heavy workouts I am referring to?

Salsa dance lessons, yes that is right learning to dance is a wonderful way of getting fit. Now I can here all you men shouting NO! NO not dancing that is for ladies but how wrong you are because salsa dancing if for everybody–regardless of gender.

Actually, Salsa dance lessons are like the best aerobics class you have ever been to. You are working your arms, back, buttocks, legs all at the same time–enough to burn body fats. Yes Salsa dancing is a complete body workout that anyone can have.

Don’t believe me then get yourself along to your nearest Salsa dance session and give it a go. I guarantee in a short span of time your heart will be working hard and you will be building up a sweat. Burn fats, and achieve a more fit body.

It might shock you to know but an essential part of a Salsa dancers kit is a good towel. You need something to wipe you brow during dances! It is because, you will surely burn lots of fats.

In addition, Salsa dance lessons are not only effective for the body but are also good for the mind. Yes Salsa is a therapy for mind too; how good can one thing get!

A recent study in the United Kingdom has shown that individuals suffering from depression who were sent to Salsa dance lessons showed a substantial and measurable improvement after attending lessons for 10 weeks. This is indeed a substantial proof that salsa dancing does not only make your body healthy but your mind as well.

The act of socializing at the Salsa dance lessons and the up beat music had a dramatic effect on the study’s participants. I can tell you from personal experience there is nothing better to sort out an awful day than heading of and dancing some Salsa.

So there you have it you can get physically and mentally fit while having a great time at Salsa dance lessons. No need to fight with the weight machines at the gym go and dance Salsa and have the most fun you have ever had standing up!

Fitness Diachronic Tips And Secrets(2Nd Part)

Tip/secret no 8

Challenge yourself! Try always for a personal record.

Avoid the hamster mentality a.k.a. endless walking or slow jogging on the treadmill etc.

Go for the H.I.I.T!!

Tip/secret no 9

No fancy fitness gadgets!

No fad diets!

No magic pills, potions and powders!

You ‘ll have to try hard!

You ‘ll have to sweat!

Don’t fall prey to the fitness charlatans’ deceitful promises!

Tip/secret no 10

Do you want to try the best ever work out?

Find it here: FITNESS: THE BEST WORKOUT EVER.

Tip/secret no 11

Do you want the best info on abs training?

Read it here: PERFECT ABS: THE ABSOLUTE ARTICLE ON ABS.

Tip/secret no 12

There is no best time for fitness activities.

The best time is this that better serves your schedule!

Tip/secret no 13

Don’t engage into endless repetitions looking for definition. Definition is a pleasant side-effect of fat loss.

Tip/secret no 14

The most important meals are the breakfast and the post workout meal (only after really tough workouts). If your workout is not challenging, don’t bother.

Tip/secret no 15

You can control insulin excretion by spreading your caloric intake into 6 meals/day. Do prefer food with a low glycemic index (and load of course).

Tip/secret no 16

You absolutely don’t need a gym (Except if you want to socialize or flirt!).

Try bodyweight circuits or dumbbell circuits in your home. You will save money and time!

See again Tip/secret no 10.

Tip/secret no 17

Never, ever quit. Time spent for better physique is a valuable investment. You will remember this well when you catch your 40s.

Tip/secret no 18

Mind beats body! Make your mental preparation.

Fight to be consistent, disciplined and self motivated!

Tip/secret no 19

Best nutrition in only few words:

– quality protein

– vegetables

– monounsaturated and omega-3 fats

– unprocessed, natural foods

– foods high in antioxidants

– minimal sugar and hydrogenated fats

– no fad diets!

– no exaggerations!

Tip/secret no 20

Don’t follow the herd. Use your imagination. Try non conventional, functional exercises.

Don’t get obsessed with perfection!

Get obsessed with perpetual progress!

Chris Strogilis

.http://totalfitness-christos.blogspot.com