Category Archives: Fitness

Restorative and Yin Yoga, CardioFlex & Exercise Tips

Now offering private fitness sessions.

I am excited to begin offering “Stretching for Longevity”. This is a 50 minute private session contoured toward the commonly sought after goal of aging healthfully. Most people just want to be independent, pain free, and active throughout their years. In spite of the tragic losses of the recent pandemic, we are still living much longer then our forebears did which is why it’s so important to maintain our body’s.
We will focus on posture and inner strength by using hands on stretching techniques combined with body work that is designed to help maintain the ability to perform common tasks of every day life.

This session is performed on the floor using yoga mats and a variety of yoga props. Please wear comfortable clothing that’s easy to move around in.

$100 per session or $380 for a four pack.


“Legs up the Wall”. How to set yourself up for the practice.

“Legs Up the Wall”
 

No Bolster

Ready Position (without a bolster)

During this stressful time of unforeseen change our bodies may begin to reflect our thoughts and emotions by becoming sore, tired and/or achy.

Legs Up the Wallis a relaxing and rejuvenating yoga pose technically known as “Viparita Karani” (VIP-uh-REE-tuh kah-RAH-nee), which literally translates to “inverted action.” Inversion poses are fantastic for the mind and body because they bring relief to the legs, feet, spine, and entire nervous system.  Ancient yoga texts claim Viparita Karaniwill destroy old age…Sign me up, right?

Though, I cannot guarantee that. I do know Legs up the Wallis beneficial for these issues and many more:

  • Headaches/Migraines
  • Anxiety
  • Insomnia
  • Mild depression
  • Muscle fatigue
  • Arthritis
  • Digestive problems
  • High and low blood pressure
  • Varicose veins
  • Menopause
  • Respiratory ailments

When you take time out of your day to reverse the forward motions of doing, acting, and accomplishing, you allow your brain and body to settle into a state of balance or Homeostasis; creating a calm nervous system and promoting movement thru the digestion, circulation, and elimination systems.

Because of its many benefits, this is a fantastic restorative pose for all levels of ability and experience.

I do need to mention that you should consult your physician or simply not practice Legs up the Wallif you have glaucoma, or a serious back or neck injury. Please remember Legs up the Wallis a “feel-good” pose — that means it should feel good, even for beginners! If you have any discomfort, be sure to make any adjustments you need to make. Be sure to breathe consciously throughout the pose in thru the nose and out thru the mouth. Continually bringing your awareness back to your breath will help clear the mind.

 There are two ways to practice Legs up the Wall: Using props as a supported pose, or without props. Both options will provide the same benefits, but the supported version may be more relaxing for some people. Both versions require a wall or sturdy door upon which you can rest your legs.

Ready Position

(with a bolster)

  • If you are practicing the supported version, set a bolster, rolled up bath towel or firm, long pillow on the floor.
  • Begin the pose by sitting with your left side against the wall. Keep the bolster close bye and horizontal to the wall, if you’re using one.
  • Gently turn your body to the left then, one at a time, fan your legs up and over onto the wall. If you are using a bolster, shift your lower back onto the bolster before bringing your legs up the wall. Use your hands for balance as you shift your weight.
  • Lower your back to the floor/bolster and lie down. Rest your shoulders and head on the floor. You may need a little pillow if you’re lying on a bolster.
  • Shift your weight from side-to-side and scoot your buttocks as close to the wall as possible. Let your arms rest open at your sides, palms facing up.
  • Once you are here, relax with legs at the twelve o’clock position, relax the thighs and feet and let your body sink into the earth while the wall supports your legs.
  • Keep your arms wherever they feel most comfortable with the palms rotated up and the fingers relaxed.
  • Close your eyes and do your best not to allow your mind to wander. Stay here for 5-10 minutes, consciously breathing in thru your nose and out thru your mouth.
  • To release, slowly walk your legs down the wall. (If you are not using a bolster, bring your thighs to your belly, wrap your arms around your chins and rock side to side a few times to release the lower back even more). Roll onto your right side. Use your hands to help press yourself back up into a seated position.
  • Take a moment to sit here with your back against with wall. Let yourself get fully acclimated before standing up.

 

“Doing the best you can to find Grace and Gratitude toward all that has yet to be revealed”

                                    Namaste

 

Legs Up the Wall “Around the Clock”

“Legs Up the Wall”

 Around the Clock Practice

Eleven O'clock and One O'clock position

Eleven and One O’clock Position

  • Now that you know how to set yourself up for this practice we can build onto it. Get yourself set up as detailed previously in “how to set yourself up for the practice”. Once you have your legs placed in the twelve-o’clock position the practice begins. 
    • Rest at twelve o’clock for two minutes. On your exhale, begin with your right leg and slide it down about 1 inch to the right; bringing it to one o’clock. Then the left leg follows moving it 1 inch to the left, bringing it to eleven o’clock. Let your feet relax, soften the jaw and the forehead and resist flexing your legs or feet.  Melt into eleven and one for two minutes.
    • On your exhale, begin with your right leg and slide it down about 1 inch to the right; bringing it from one o’clock to two o’clock. Then the left leg follows moving it 1 inch to the left, bringing it from eleven o’clock to ten o’clock. In this position inhale the arms up to the sky them lower them down by your ears, palms rotated up and elbows bent enough to rest the arms comfortably on the floor. Rest in ten and two for two minutes.
    • On your exhale, begin with your right leg and slide it down about 1 inch to the right; bringing it from two o’clock to three o’clock or your maximum capacity. Then the left leg follows moving it 1 inch to the left, bringing it from ten o’clock to nine o’clock or your maximum capacity on that side. Keep the arms where they are and rest here for one to two minutes.
    • The body loves balance so we will work your legs back up to twelve o’clock with your inhale and starting with your left leg.On your inhale slide the left leg up from nine to ten then the right leg follows moving it up from three to two. Now, bend the elbows and bring your hand under head. Elbows open wide and your head is cradled in your hands. Hold this space for two minutes.
    • On your next full inhale, keep the arms where they are and move the left leg to eleven o’clock then the right leg to one o’clock. Relax here for two minutes before inhaling the both of the legs back to twelve o’clock.
    • At this point you can choose to walk your legs down the wall and rock side to side before pressing up to seated or you may want to stay here and add a little more to your routine by practicing a figure four or bound angle against the wall. The beauty of a home practice is personalization.  Do what feels good to you in the moment. Always balance the body by do equal and exact motions on the left and right side. Pease make sure you relax in a seated position before standing up.

 

“Tough times never last but tough people do.”

                                                         Namaste

 

 

 

Restorative Yoga, Is it for you?

What is Restorative Yoga?

As a licensed massage therapist and fitness/Yoga instructor for the past 13 years, time after time, experience shows that many chronic aches and pains are caused by daily habits that constantly force us to look down, bend forward or sink in the mid section. Therefore, each Restorative Yoga class focuses on strengthening the core and opening up the front of the body specifically the heart, shoulders and rib cage. I like to say: “It’s like peeling off old layers of shrink-wrap. Ultimately, releasing stress and clearing out stagnant energy that no longer serves us.”

Each of my Restorative and/or Gentle Flow classes focus on different muscles and joints so the format is ever changing. However, the intention always remains the same; “ Relax and clear the mind through deep, belly breathing while slowly stretching out tired, over used muscles.” This form of movement not only helps reduce stress it is beneficial to those recovering from minor injuries and/or surgeries, for people with adult on-set Scoliosis, Osteoarthritis, high blood pressure, chronic low back pain or Sciatica.   These are just a few of the common disorders that greatly benefit from practicing Restorative Yoga regularly.

Slowly lengthen tired, overused muscles.

Slowly lengthening tired, overused muscles.

 

“It’s a lifestyle, not a diet.”

www.changingbadhabits.com

 

What our bodies may being trying to tell us.

The connection between pain in your body and the Chakra system may be worth paying attention to……..

Chakra is believed to be a center of activity that receives, assimilates, and expresses life force energy.   The word Chakra literally translates as wheel or disc.  Therefore, Chakra defines the  spinning spheres of bio-energetic activity that radiate from seven major nerve centers extending forward and upward from the spinal column.

Typically, six of the seven Chakra wheels are referred to.  Imagine these wheels stacked in a column of energy that begins in the base of the spine and climbs to the middle of the forehead.  The seventh and less referred to  Chakra,  expands from the crown of the head into the universe.  It is beyond the physical region; some choose to call it spiritual.  The six predominant Chakra correlate with our mortal states of consciousness.

While most bodywork experts agree that tension and pain in the body are largely caused by how we move (or don’t move enough) throughout the day, a growing number of practitioners cite emotional stress as another factor. Deb Shapiro, author of Your Body Speaks Your Mind, stated that understanding how parts of the body connect to certain emotions can help us get in touch with neglected areas of our subconscious. “And the great thing about that is tapping into the root of the problem on an emotional level can heal chronic pain,” said Deb Shapiro.

Neck (“Crown”, “Third Eye” or “Brow” and “Throat” Chakra)

The neck is a two-way communicator: You take in life-sustaining food, water, and air through the neck, and at the same time, emotions, feelings, and thoughts are expressed outwardly through your voice. Stiffness here can indicate resistance, usually to other ways of thinking.

Shoulders (“Throat” and “Heart” Chakra)

Where you carry the weight of your responsibilities, whether it’s work, family, or mortgage payments. Creative energy flows from here, moving into your arms and hands, where it emerges in what you do in the world. Tense shoulders can also indicate resistance, perhaps to the responsibilities you feel you must maintain, or pressure that’s put on you to perform.

Upper back (“Heart” and “Solar Plexus” Chakra)

This is the area on the reverse side from the heart, it is where you can store repressed anger, resentment, guilt, or shame.

Mid back (“Solar Plexus” and “Sacral” or “Spleanic” Chakra)

Your core allows you to bend and move, representing your ability to be psychologically and emotionally flexible. Stiffness in the mid back can reflect an inner stiffness, holding on to a fear, or inability to go with the flow.

Low back (“Sacral” or “Splenic” and “Base” Chakra)

This part of the body supports your weight from above, and it’s related to your notions of survival, security, and self-support. If you’re feeling insecure—or as though you’re unable to meet other people’s expectations—that pressure can manifest in the low back.

Gluteus (“Base” Chakra)

Although seemingly soft, the Gluteus is often the most tense and clenched muscles in the body. This area has to do with elimination and release, self-control and power issues are often held here.

Hamstrings (“Base” Chakra)

These muscles are connected to the knees—which we use to bow down to a higher being—and so tight hamstrings can often mean that a deeper level of surrender is needed. The thighs and hamstrings also hold on to past conflicts, such as traumatic childhood memories, anger, or resentment. This area is also closely associated with sexuality and intimacy.

As you can see, both Eastern and Western medicine suggests, that by tapping into pain you may be experiencing in your physical body and becoming honest about your personal emotional challenges, it is possible to decrease physical aliments and increase your overall well being.

It is also implied that by simply incorporating the Chakra colors that correspond with your area of  physical pain into clothing, daily surroundings, and food choices, it is possible to visually  stimulate the healing process.

For more information on Chakra in relation to the human body, please click on this link to Wikipedia.

My Nia in New Hampshire experience.

Amherst, New Hampshire

Town Center

Weare, New Hampshire

My Home Town

Last week I took a trip to Weare,  New Hampshire to visit family and was able to connect with Lisa Jones, owner of  “Nia NH and Yoga” located in beautiful  Amherst, NH.

Lisa Jones, owner of "Nia NH and Yoga"

Lisa has been studying wellness and yoga for more than 25 years and has a private therapeutic breath work practice  based out of  “Nia NH and Yoga”.  Lisa has taught breath awareness since 1998 and has been a Nia instructor since 2004; this allows her to incorporate the breath facilitator’s experience into her Nia classes.  Lisa’s intention is to help her students and clients embrace healing from with-in, discover greater self empowerment, and experience overall joy in their daily lives.

Lisa Jones, Nia Blue Belt

It was a great pleasure being a part of this New England Nia community and having the opportunity to instruct Thursday evening’s class.  Not only was the space comfortable, the entire class clearly understood the spirit of The Nia Technique®.  My sincere thanks for such a warm welcome and wonderful experience at “Nia NH and Yoga”!

Please enjoy some of my Nia in New Hampshire experience by clicking on links below:

Click here for video footage at  Nia NH. Routine “Clarity, Nostalgia Worship”

Click here for video footage at Nia NH.  Routine  “Clarity, Long Bone”

Special thanks to my Dad, Frank Szerlog, for taking the video footage shown above.

What is The Nia Technique?


Nia Promotional Video 2005 from Nia Technique on Vimeo.

Nia is movement-medicine for the body and soul.

Nia was created in the early 1980’s by Debbie Rosas and Carlos Rosas, then fitness professionals in Marin County, California, searching for a smarter and less painful way to work out and stay fit.

The philosophy of Nia is based on the pleasure principle: If it feels good, keep doing it; if it hurts, stop and adapt what you do to feel better.  Nia is a workout, lifestyle and personal growth program. More than a physical fitness or weight loss program, Nia is a way to condition, heal and transform your body, mind, emotions and spirit. Nia is a system that blends Eastern and Western movements, concepts and philosophy derived from three main movement forms:

Martial Arts:

Tai Chi ~ the slow dance

Tae Kwon Do ~ the dance of precision

Aikido ~ harmonious, spherical motion

Dance Arts:

Jazz ~ fun, showmanship, expression

Modern ~ creating shapes in space

Duncan ~ free-spirited, honest movement

Healing Arts:

The Work of Moshe Feldenkrais ~ conscious awareness of sensation

Alexander Technique ~ movement from the top

Yoga ~ conscious alignment of bones and joints

Nia is based on The Body’s Way, which means, using the body’s design to improve function. The biochemistry, joint and muscle action are triggered using imagination, music, emotion and vocal sound. Movements work with and against gravity and include: abduction, adduction; flexion, extension; eversion, inversion; dorsal flexion, plantar flexion, pronation and supination; horizontal flexion, extension; rotation inward, outward, upward and downward, elevation, depression, and circumduction. Nia addresses the body’s five main sensations: flexibility, strength, mobility, agility and stability and focuses on conditioning the body and the nervous system.

Everything in Nia is perceived, experienced and processed through the body. Nia uses the body to develop Sensory IQ wisdom. The mind is used to imagine witness, focus and direct attention. The emotions are used to personally engage the individual with activity, thereby creating the coupling effect needed to trigger the mind-body connection. Spirit is used to honor the uniqueness of each individual. Nia uses emotion and sound to condition the body and nervous system. Nia’s teaching style emphasizes internally directed guidance, uses visual and sensory language, user-friendly choreography, that can be adapted to fit personal needs, and includes three stages of learning for all levels of ability.

http://www.nianow.com/faq#what-is-nia

Read Testimonials about how Nia has changed peoples lives

Come take a class with me in Fort Worth, TX

"It's a lifestyle, not a diet"

“It’s a lifestyle, not a diet”

If you would like to take a group class with me please click on the facilities name listed below to find out details on their class rates and membership information.

Colonial Country Club (Members Only)

Solea, Tavolo Park (Residents Only)

I also provide customized exercise plans for individuals, couples and small groups  at your home or office or in my studio.  A variety of fitness techniques can be explored based on my client’s individual surroundings, abilities and goals. Please email me at amanda@changingbadhabits.com to discuss personal training or small groups.

I am not currently teaching Nia but to find a Nia class near you, go to www.nianow.com.

firedance1

Exercise Tips

Exercise tips:

jumpFor exercise that is fun, offers heart health and body toning and can be done in your very own living room try Hula Hooping. Spinning the classic hoop around your waist during the commercials of your favorite television shows will slow down the tendency to eat out of boredom, improve circulation and burn anywhere between 100 and 150 calories for every thirty minutes of spinning.

By simply dancing around your home for thirty minutes to your favorite tunes you can burn approximately 200 calories per half hour.

Another great exercise is just walking. Not only does it burn calories, stretch muscles, it gives you an opportunity to get out in the sunshine and enjoy the outdoors.

walkthisway

One of the simplest ways to start on the road to good health and changing poor habits is walking. That’s right, putting one foot in front of the other. The tips listed above are from First Line Therapy.

Breaking the Cookie Cycle

Do you find yourself in the vicious cookie cycle.   When sugar calls, are you at its mercy?  When you are in the habit of eating cookies or other high Glycemic index foods, you can create physiological reaction that creates cravings for more poor nutritional choices.  Find ways to break the vicious cookie cycle and eat healthier.

cookiecycle

In addition to meal planning, we have several options that may help beat your addiction, so that you can beat the cookie cycle.

How can I get calcium without milk?

Got_Pus_Milk_Does

Question:

If I cut dairy products out of my diet, how can I make sure that I get enough calcium in my diet?

Answer:

You can rest assured that eliminating dairy products from your diet does not lead to a calcium deficiency.

First of all, the processing that milk and dairy products go through drastically degrades its calcium content. Processing removes the good nutrients but unfortunately in leaves the “pus” behind.  That’s right, pus; the dairy industry knows that there is a problem with pus in milk. Accordingly, it has developed a system known as the “somatic cell count” which measures the amount of pus in milk. The somatic cell count is the standard used to gauge milk quality; the higher the somatic cell count, the more pus in the milk.  According to the dairy industry, any milk with a somatic cell count of higher than 200 million per liter should not enter the human food supply. Therefore, anyone living in a state where the somatic cell count is higher than 200 million shouldn’t be drinking milk. There’s only one problem, every state but Hawaii is producing milk with pus levels so high that it shouldn’t enter the human food supply

seeds
Did you know that sesame seeds contain more calcium pound for pound than any other food on earth?

Even if you are able to get your hands on non-homogenized milk the calcium in cow’s milk is much coarser than in human milk, and is tied up with casein milk protein, which prevents it from being absorbed by humans.

veggies
Green Leafy Vegetables are called Cruciferous Vegetables and are a wonderful source of calcium.

Eating 4 to 6  one cup servings of  green leafy vegetables, non-processed soy, raw nuts and/or fresh fruits, especially berries and citrus, on a daily basis,  will provide all of the calcium you require.

One of the leading causes of calcium deficiency is consumption of carbonated beverages such as Soda Pop.  By removing the “Fizzy Fix” from your daily routine and replacing it with flavored, unsweetened water or an Emergen-C™ you will greatly diminish the catalysts of calcium depletion.  Another way to battle calcium deficiency is exercise.  Exercise that offers soft impact on your bones such as dancing or jogging opposed to swimming or walking is a productive way to maintain bone health.

If you are in good health you may choose to consume dairy products purely for the taste or personal enjoyment.  However, people suffering from serious illnesses such as allergies, asthma, or those who have a difficult time losing weight, produce a lot of mucus, or suspect an allergy to dairy products, should definitely remove dairy from their meal plan and monitor yourself to see if allergies and illness decline.  If you are not sure if dairy is the culprit of existing medical, begin slowly introducing different forms of dairy in very small amounts (i.e. milk, cheese, butter and/or ice cream derived from cow’s milk).  Keep a detailed “diet diary” if it reveals negative effects on your body stop consuming dairy.  Review your results with your medical practitioner if pain or discomfort continues once dairy consumption stops.