Are you feeling the heaviness of defeat, overwhelm and self-doubt? Want some relief? Try Warrior II, a powerful pose that helps you tap into your courage and your confidence. It also has practical physical benefits of cultivating strength in the legs and opening in the hips. Here’s how to get into the pose: Stand at…Read more »
Yoga for Paddling
Yoga for Paddling: How to Sit to Reduce Back Pain
Did you know that one of the main functions of the spine is that of shock absorber? That’s why the spine has curves, to act like a spring to absorb impact. The disks in between the bony vertebrae also play a major roll in this function. Disks are made of squishy cartilage able to absorb…Read more »
Anna’s Gift Guide for the Health Conscious Paddler
Ready to be the coolest gift giver this season? Give meaningful and fun gifts that contribute to your favorite paddler’s health, wellbeing and passion for paddling. Read on for my top picks for paddlers who do (or would like to) take on their wellness with as much stoke as they take on the water! Under…Read more »
6 Secrets to Beat Holiday Bloat
Do you experience bloat, discomfort and lethargy from overindulging during the Holiday Season? If so, you’re not alone! I think we’ve all been there 🙂 The good news is that I’ve got some tips that will help you enjoy the good cheer and delicious foods of the season without the heaviness. As an Ayurveda…Read more »
3 Easy Spring Cleanses that Work
The truth about cleanses is that they don’t have to be long, arduous or expensive to work. And, yes, they do work. Some don’t even require that you go without food! Benefits of cleansing include clearer skin, more energy, reduced bloating/digestive distress, weight loss and enhanced sense of taste. I’ve had folks (including my Mom)…Read more »
Yoga for Paddling: Basic Low Lunge
(Excerpted from Yoga for Paddling with Anna Levesque) Yoga for paddling emphasizes the importance of strengthening the muscles we underuse in paddling and stretching the muscles that we overuse. Our hips, low back, and legs experience a double whammy in our culture due to the time we spend sitting – at our desks, in our…Read more »
Yoga for Paddling: Three-Count Belly Breathing
(Excerpted from Yoga for Paddling with Anna Levesque) Breathwork (Pranayama) is one of the eight limbs of yoga. According to yoga, the breath is our life force (prana) and can be manipulated to warm us up, cool us down, stimulate digestion, energize us or induce relaxation. Another benefit of breath control is to bring you…Read more »
Yoga for Paddling: Side Angle Stretch
(Excerpted from Yoga for Paddling with Anna Levesque) The muscles of the side body are mainly responsible for lateral flexion of the spine and hiking the hip. Kayakers and canoeists activate these muscles for hip snaps, performing the roll, edge control, and stability. SUP paddlers also use these muscles for balance and stability on the…Read more »
Yoga for Paddling: Legs up the Wall
(Excerpted from Yoga for Paddling with Anna Levesque) Relaxation and stress management are important in maintaining our health, happiness and performance in life. This is especially important in our culture where the focus is almost exclusively on expending energy. Keep moving, keep busy, and keep striving. We fuel our bodies on the move and and…Read more »
Yoga for Paddling: Simple Seated Twist
(Excerpted from Yoga for Paddling with Anna Levesque) The obliques are key muscles in the movement of torso rotation and tend to be chronically contracted in paddlers. Twists help to stretch the obliques, give our internal organs a good massage, stimulate digestion, and calm the nervous system. One of my favorite twists for paddlers is…Read more »
