Healthy Backs

With Spring Cleaning comes sore muscles! Perhaps you find that you overdid it as a weekend warrior OR are avoiding starting a task so you do not hurt yourself. Pilates can help.

Pilates helps you bring your body back into alignment. Breath and core stabilization are 2 of the KEY principles.

One exercise you can try to work on core stability is the kneeling one arm and one leg lift. This exercise strengthens your core PLUS activates your brain as you work on differentiating movement on the right and left sides of your body simultaneously.

Start with your arms stacked under your shoulders and knees under your hips. Distribute weight evenly over all 4 limbs. Draw your navel toward your spine, the crown of your head forward and your tailbone backward. You should be looking DOWN at the floor to keep your neck and extension of your spine.With an inhale lift your right arm and left leg. Stay for a breath. On an exhale lower the limbs with control ... FIGHT GRAVITY. On an inhale repeat on the other side.

Photo courtesy of About.com

Make a difference...Starbucks

visit the Starbucks Website to see how you can make a difference and GO GREEN. Save trees, use reusable mugs!!

Today, APRIL 15th, you can get a free cup of coffee by bringing in a reusable travel mug.

Clear Some Stress from your shoulders...get the monkey off your back!

Dolphin pose is not just a headstand preparation, it is a great way to open your upper back and relieve stress. Many of us carry our stress in our upper back - sometimes even developing a hunchback from the stress of sitting all day at a desk.

Try a dolphin pose to help relieve tension. The inversion calms your brain while the physical posture strengthens your back, stretches your hamstrings and stretches your shoulders.

(Photo courtesy of Yoga Journal)

Staying present

After a week off from exercise due to illness I took a yoga class from a teacher that I enjoy and has always challenged me.

The practice last week reminded me to stay present and let go of expectations. I was weak from illness and could not do what I normally can do in a class. What I needed from class is a reawakening, it was a great experience for me both personally and professionally. I remind my students to let go of expectations, I needed to practice what I preach.