The mountain pose, also referred to as “tadasana,” is the foundation for all standing yoga poses. According to the Yoga Journal, the mountain pose has the following benefits: Improves posture, reduces flat feet, firms abdomen and buttocks, relives sciatica, strengthens the knees and thighs, and strengthens the ankles.
Yes, I got the following advice from a pregnancy book. Still, the advice is relevant for anyone who has to sit for prolonged periods of time.
The authors of “What To Expect When You’re Expecting” state the following: “Sit smart. Sitting puts more stress on your spine than almost any other activity.” The authors state that it is advisable to use chairs that provide good back support, such as a straight back chair with firm cushioning. They also warn not to cross your legs because doing so can cause your pelvis to tilt forward, resulting in added pressure to strained back muscles.
Finally, “What To Expect When You’re Expecting” says: “Sitting for long periods can be as bad for your back as sitting the wrong way. Try not to sit for more than an hour without taking a walking and stretching break.”
A recent Inc. article entitled, “18 Behaviors of Emotionally Intelligent People,” written by, Travis Bradberry, discusses the importance of getting an adequate amount of sleep.
Author Travis Bradberry states: “It’s difficult to overstate the importance of sleep…When you sleep, your brain literally recharges, shuffling through the day’s memories and storing or discarding them (which causes dreams) so that you wake up alert and clearheaded…Self-control, attention, and memory are all reduced when [you] don’t get enough- or the right kind- of sleep.”
Hatha Yoga- Integrates postures, relaxation, breathing exercises, and meditation to stretch, condition, and strengthen.
Vinyasa Yoga- Flowing sequences of challenging poses with an emphasis on breathing techniques.
Iyengar Yoga- Focuses on precise body alignment. Helps to enhance flexibility, endurance, balance and strength via coordinated breathing.
Bikram Yoga- Yoga done in a heated environment of at least 95 degrees, to up to 105 degrees. This type of yoga focuses on muscular strength and endurance, cardiovascular fitness, flexibility, and weight loss.
An inexpensive and highly effective conditioning tool, the jump rope is great for exercising and increasing coordination.
According to BodyBuilding.com, your jump rope should be of a length that allows the handles to reach about armpit height. It is also recommended that you jump on shock absorbent surfaces, such as: a boxing ring, running track, wood floor, or gym mat.
“In a 2013 Expedia survey, nearly 90% of vacationers reported feeling less stress after only a day or two away, and other research has found that failing to take a break from everyday stressors can speed up the aging process. Long-running studies of women and men have found significantly higher risk of coronary-related deaths among those who don’t take regular vacations.
So travel isn’t good for just your soul. It’s also good for your heart.” -Craig Matters (Money Magazine; October 2014)
