5-Minute Easy Morning Yoga Flow

by | Nov 13, 2013 | Exercise, How Your Body Works | 0 comments

Yoga-Pose-What happens if that ancient practice doesn’t mesh with your modern groove?

On today’s episode of Meghan TV, Amber Joliat, founder of Misfit Studio and featured teacher on the Wanderlust circuit shares an awesome 5-minute yoga flow that you can rock in the morning, in the way that feels just right for you! Do it!

Do you feel bad for not fitting the “yogi” mould? Do you push yourself to go to classes and then spend the time waiting to leave? If you don’t want to be there, how is that helping?

Yoga is what we want it to be and what we need it to be. The only part that matters is that you move. Move in a way that connects your body to your breath and you are yoga-ing.

Now tell me: What first got you on the mat? What does your yoga practice (whatever that may look like) do for you?

Watch the video here

Mediterranean Diet in Midlife Results in Better Quality of Life in Old Age

by | Nov 12, 2013 | Low carb diet | 0 comments

Meditteranean diet Investigators from Brigham and Women’s Hospital of the Harvard Medical School, the Harvard School of Public Health and the French National Institute of Health followed 10,670 women who were part of the Nurses’ Health Study, a long-term epidemiological study that started in 1976 and has followed over 230,000 registered nurses to assess risk factors for cancer, cardiovascular disease and other chronic conditions.

The researchers gathered dietary data from these women when they were in their late 50’s and 60’s and then again 15 years later, the participants provided information about their health. Their diet quality was assessed using two questionnaires: the Alternative Healthy Eating Index and the Alternate Mediterranean Diet score.

The results of their analysis showed that women who had a high adherence to a Mediterranean style diet as measured by the Alternate Mediterranean score had a 46% greater chances of healthy aging

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What Is Yoga, Really?

by | Nov 11, 2013 | How Your Body Works | 0 comments

Yoga The teaching of yoga reminds me of what I aspire to be, and what human beings are truly capable of becoming. It is the part of our self in the purest form without injuries or false beliefs. Yoga helps us to remember who we truly are. It is the child heart filled with wonder that is inspired by the ordinary and doesn’t need the extraordinary. Yoga is here to point you to the light. Yoga is a place where you remember that your essential nature is one of compassion, kindness and open-mindedness. Because yoga is a way of life, it is here to remind us of our true nature.

There are dos and don’ts (like the 10 commandments) of yoga called the Yamas and Niyamas. “Satya,” which means truth, and “ahimsa,” non-harming, are ethics for a teacher. They are there as a reminder for both the student and teacher of what yoga ethics look like. But the truth is, we wouldn’t need the commandment or the Yama or Niyama if we remembered them. We forget that in our essence we are already the Yama and Niyama. In our essence, we are goodness and we are not separated. A skillful yoga teacher will remind us that we have these things in our true nature and invoke those qualities in us. The teacher’s gift is to see this great light in you and hold it high so you can see it as well. We call this yoga a place where you can start saying yes to life again.

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Exercise More Fun When Friends Join You, New Research Shows

by | Nov 8, 2013 | Exercise | 0 comments

Cycling If exercise isn’t your idea of fun, maybe you should invite some friends: A new study suggests people enjoy physical activity more when they’re with others, according to new research presented here on Tuesday (Nov. 5).

For the study, researchers asked 117 people ages 27 to 73 to carry small mobile phones with them for four days. Eight times a day, participants received a prompt on their phone that asked them what they were doing, who they were with, where they were, and if they were outdoors, how much “greenness” was in the area. They also ratedhow happy they were, and how much they were enjoying the activity they were doing.

About 84 people reported at least one bout of physical activity over the four days. [10 Fitness Apps: Which Is Best for Your Personality?]

Those doing physical activity were happier, and enjoyed the physical activity more, when they were with their spouse, friends or co-workers, compared with when they were alone, according to the findings. People also said they were happier when they were exercising outdoors in green areas.

If the findings are confirmed in future studies, researchers may be able to provide recommendations that encourage people not only to be active, but to participate with people and in places that help them to enjoy the activity more, said study researcher Genevieve Dunton, an assistant professor of research at the University of Southern California’s Department of Preventive Medicine. Studies show that people are more likely to repeat activities that they enjoy or find rewarding, and sustain them over the long-term, Dunton said.

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Fast 5 Minute Cool Down and Stretching Workout for Busy People

by | Nov 7, 2013 | Exercise | 0 comments

Stretch Workout Details

When you workout you should always incorporate a warm up before and a cool down afterward. Warm ups are best for loosening and preparing cold muscles and joints for intense workouts but stretching moves (particularly non-dynamic, static stretches held for any period longer than 5-10 seconds) should be saved for after your workout is complete.

Coming in at under 5 minutes in length, this cool down was built especially for people with limited time for exercise – just because your schedule is tight doesn’t mean your body will forgive you for skipping warm ups and cool downs! These feel good stretches are enough to bring your heart rate down gradually and stretch out the muscles, without adding a significant amount of time to your overall exercise session.

Workout Structure

– Start with very light cardio to bring down the heart rate, then move into stretches for a wide variety of muscle groups
-15 Seconds per exercise or stretch
– Under 5 minutes in length, total
– You will need: an open wall

In this Routine:
Boxer Shuffle
Roundabout Toe Touch
Torso Twist
Shoulder Rolls
Arm Pull and Hip Flexor Stretch (Left and Right)
Wall Shoulder Stretch
Wall Chest Stretch (Left and Right)
Wide Toe Touch Stretch
Bent Over Quadricep Stretch (Left and Right)
Standing Glute Stretch (Left and Right)
Inside Thigh and Over Head Tricep Stretch (Left and Right)

Though it might be sometimes hard to justify taking the time to include the warm up and cool down portions of your workout, especially if your free time is limited, it’s an important part of your routine that’s not only good for the body and helpful in avoiding injuries, but also an important variable that allows you to push yourself harder and perform at a more intense level than if you tried to leave it out.

Watch the video here