There are some great Yoga shows in the mornings. In Australia, men everywhere tuned in at 6am to watch Gloria and the girls on Mats outside the Opera House. In the US, there are a tonne of Live Exercise Programs that radiate over Networks at all hours of the day and night.

TV Yoga

The problem? You can’t rely on TV for fitness.

Yes that’s right! While it’s tempting to sit in front of the television and put on your favorite exercise program, you might be forgetting one very simple thing that make the television an incredibly ineffective device for exercise…It’s addictive. Shocking I know. But in all seriousness, how can anyone be expected to exercise effectively if their only motivation for performing the exercises is doing them in-sync with a program on television.

More TV Yoga

Grow up! TV is not the answer. You don’t need someone to do the exercises in front of you. Learn them once, remember them and get outside to exercise as hard and as fast as you can. one other problem associated with exercise programs on television is that they change so regularly. Times, hosts, programs, they can all be different from day to day. Exercising to TV program offers no stability and no motivation. Two things that are essential to maintaining a healthy exercise regime.

Get off the couch, changing channels won’t help you!

By Tim Howard

Beach Yoga for Seniors

Yoga is one of the best forms of exercise for an elderly person’s health. Yoga focuses on the body, mind, and spirit. It cultivates a state of overall health and well-being. Certain Yoga techniques work to normalize blood pressure, balance the nervous system, strengthen core muscles, decrease stress, stimulate blood circulation, regulate breathing, and aid with sleep. Yoga is part exercise and part meditation. Practicing yoga on a regular basis can strengthen your body, relax your mind, and provide inner peace.

Yoga for Seniors

Trying to find a yoga class that’s right for you can seem daunting. Hatha, Iyengar, Anusara- what do these all mean? If you are an elderly person, you may think that joining a beginner’s class is best. However, even beginner’s classes can be fast paced, and the instructor may not have experience teaching seniors. The best class for a senior to take is a “Yoga for Seniors” class or “Ageless Yoga”. These types of yoga classes are specifically designed for seniors and persons with decreased mobility. The instructors will have experience working with seniors, and will be able to tailor the class to an elderly person’s needs.

What can you expect from a yoga class designed for seniors? The instructor will most likely check in with each student to find out what their issues are. You will be reminded to breathe and to rest in “child’s pose” as needed. If you need help with the poses, props and support from the instructor will be available. The pace of the class will typically be slower than the pace in other styles of yoga because students may need extra time getting in and out of poses. However, with time and patience, most students will be able to do a variation on most poses.

Seniors Yoga

Older people can sometimes be very strong, flexible, and fit, so you can expect the class to be diverse. Yoga for older people is also about building community. The diversity of students in the classes can be inspiring and helpful, and can lead to new friendships.

Any yoga instructor practices what they teach because yoga is a lifestyle, not just a class they teach a couple times a week. As such, your yoga instructor will be glad to answer any questions or concerns you might have. If you are unsure about taking a yoga class, you can always talk to an instructor beforehand so that they can give you any additional information you might need.

By Jasmine-June Cabanaw

Stuck in a workout Rut?

If you continue to do the same thing you did years ago, your fitness will stop improving, you will stagnate, and actually start to burn fewer calories.The key to avoid getting stuck in a fitness rut is to change and mix-up your workout.  You can keep doing one routine for a period of 4-6 months, but by having a variety of different moves and exercises to choose from, you will not only avoid boredom (and possibly burn-out!) but always keep your body guessing as to what will be coming its way next.  Adding new stressors to the body will ensure that you are constantly working different muscle groups, doing so by different angles, and thus keeping your fitness level improving.

Hit the Rut Head-On!

This can be done in a number of ways; choose a different machine or exercise even for the same muscle group when you are doing your weight routine.  Do tricep dips one day, tricep kick backs another, and skull crushes a different time.  Build a arsenal of different apparatuses that you are familiar with and an array of exercises.  There are a plethora of moves to be discovered and will make your routine more effective, leaving you more toned and fit.  With your cardio routine, pick different activities: bike, run, stair-climb, play a vigorous game of basketball, or take a new class.  Go shorter and faster in one session and longer and steadier another.  They say variety is the spice of life, so take than and apply it to your fitness routine!

By: Caitlin Chock, Home Fitness Guru

Plyometircs for Exercise

Adding plyometrics to any regime needs to be done gradually and you need to be extra aware of your form through each move.  Because they are powerful, almost all-out efforts, as you tire your body will be more apt to ‘cheat’ or not do the activity correctly and you could be more prone to an injury.  Just be certain to take your time and also know that while you may not feel sore during the workout, you will definitely feel the effort later on, so start out with only one set and then work your way up to three sets that you can do three times a week with at lest a day of rest between them.

Plyometric Exercises

• Box Jumps: Find a box or raised stationary bench or step. Facing the box, load yourself by getting into a low squat and prepare yourself for a leap onto the box.  Return to the ground and do this 10 times.  As you advance, increase the height of the box.
• Single Leg Hops: Balance on one leg and jump forward as far as you can with each hop.  Do 10 on each leg.
• Squat Jumps For Distance: Standing with feet just about shoulder width apart, lower into a deep squat and thrust yourself forward as far as you can.  Think about a standing long-jumper.  Do this 10 times.
• Star Jumps: Stand with your feet together and arms at your sides.  Jump high off the ground and as you do so kick your legs out to the sides and lift your arms over your head.  This moves looks something like a jumping-jack from your old PE days.

By: Caitlin Chock, Home Fitness Guru

Core Strength Exercise

For athletes and fitness enthusiasts alike, your core is vital to not only look your best, but to complete your routines and sports to the best of your ability.  Your core is responsible for holding you in the correct form when performing exercises, keeping your posture upright when running, and every other activity you undertake.  By toning and building these muscles you will make yourself more efficient, and improve your overall fitness.

Head Stand Core Strength

It is important to focus on each muscle and to do each exercise correctly. You may not be able to complete them all perfectly at first, because many of the smaller muscles are weaker and unused to being stressed, but be diligent and eventually you will have a stronger center.  Start by doing one set of each exercise and then gradually work your way up to three sets three times a week with at least one day of rest between them.

• Bicycle crunch: Lying on the floor, back flat and raise both legs to 90 degree angles.  Alternately bring your right elbow to your left knee, return to the starting position and then bring your left elbow to your right knee.  Continue until you’ve done a total of 30 (15 on each side).
• Bridge: Lie on the ground with your back and feet planted on the ground.  Your knees will be bent toward the ceiling; while keeping your shoulder blades pressed down, raise your butt upward until your lower back and upper thighs are at a 45 degree angle on the floor.  Squeeze your butt to hold yourself there for 3 seconds then return to the ground and repeat 10-15 times.
• Back Raises: Lie face-down with your stomach on the ground, legs straight behind your.  Interlace your hands and rest them behind your back.  In one motion, raise your upper body and legs off the ground so that your arms reach back toward your legs and only your pelvis is fixed on the floor.  Gently return to the ground and repeat 10-15 times.
• Plank: Resting on your forearms and toes, keep your body straight and parallel to the floor.  Contract your abs, pulling them inward and be sure to keep your back flat.  Hold this position for 30 seconds, rest, and that is one set.  When you’ve mastered that, try holding the position while doing a set of 10 leg lifts for each leg.

By: Caitlin Chock, Home Fitness Guru