Healthy gurus

• 16Mar

  Pilates

  Fitness 2 Comments

  

  Pilates is a recently developed form of exercise created by Joseph Pilates. He focused on the control of core muscles in the body, referring to muscles in the abdomen, lower back, hips, and buttocks areas as the “powerhouse”. He also emphasizes on breathing and proper circulation. Insights:

  * Modalities of Pilates include: Matt based exercises, one on one with personal trainer or Pilates equipment exercises. Some of the equipments used are the medicine ball, resistant band and Pilates ring.

  * Core muscles should be contracted throughout the Pilates workout. Instructors normally explain where core muscles are located and how to achieve contraction. Exercises can feel easy if your core muscles aren’t contracted properly.

  * Pilates consists of many stretch exercises, mostly directed to strengthen the core muscles.

  * It gives you a different type of toning. When compared to cardio classes or lifting weights, Pilate’s toning takes longer to appear, but it is maintained for a longer period time in the absence of workouts.

  * It is very good to release stress, especially for people with busy lifestyles.

  When it comes to Pilates one thing is for certain: you will feel stretched and relaxed while working out.

  Tags: pilates

• 10Mar

  Vegetarian Diet

  Nutrition 1 Comment

  Vegetarian foods are great because they lack any animal direct products (meats). As a nutrition value a vegetarian meal can be great for reducing cholesterol, chances of heart problems and preventing colon cancer.  Here are some thoughts:

      * A vegetarian diet is easier to be followed when it is started in an early age. Although, many college students declare they only became vegetarians after they left their omnivore parent’s house.

      * Introduce at least one vegetarian meal a day. It can be of great advantage to one’s health.

      * Some of the options to vegetarian meals can be very fattening because of their caloric and flour content. Increase intake of breads and pastas, in conjunction with cheese (animal byproduct, but not resulting of its death) can be very fattening.

      * Vegetables and leafy greens are full of vitamins and fibers essential for the body’s nutrition.

  Here are a couple of my favorite recipes:

  o California Salad – Mixed greens, avocado, grapes, carrots, tomatoes, radish and meatless grilled chicken. It can be great for a snack or small dinner.

  o Brown rice and sauté tofu with vegetables- Brown rice can be made the same way as white rice, only it will take a little longer to be ready. Add condiments and spices with some stir fry chopped onions to give some extra flavor. Make sure to not overcook the rice, otherwise it will be sticky. To make a quick meal you may purchase frozen vegetables. If you do, stir fry them first until they are defrosted. In a separate skillet cook the tofu in olive oil until it attains a brown color. Add spices to taste (Curry and soy sauce tend to bring a great taste to tofu). Mix the tofu with the cooked vegetables. This recipy is good for lunch or dinner.

  Tags: Nutrition, salad, tofu, vegetables, vegetarian

• 09Mar

  Yoga

  Fitness No Comments

  Yoga was originated in India three thousand years ago as a spiritual practice, focusing on self-awareness, physical and mind liberation. Yoga was design to release stress from the daily routine by giving control to physical strength and psyche. You don’t have to be a believer to experience the benefits of yoga. Here is some information you should know before taking yoga:

  The teacher will lead you to easy positions and you will be able to reach them at your own pace.

  * Yoga positions can be reached on the floor, standing, sitting and sometimes inverted.

  * The teacher will ask you to focus on your breathing at times and to hold your body in a given time in a certain position to give it strength.

  * Classes normally finish with sitting meditation or laying down relaxation.

  * After your first class you will experience relaxation and a feeling of well-being and happiness.

  * Yoga is a form of stretching and strengthening of your muscles, able to be applied for beginners and later to impose a challenge in intermediate classes.

  * It is good for people that don’t like choreographic moves and the rapid loud music experienced in the cardio gym classes.

  * If your goal is to get very fit you might want to try yoga together with another aerobic exercise.

  Yoga gets you started by improving your breathing and circulation, while stretching your muscles. Make sure to find a teacher that suits you and shows the yoga results you are looking for.

  There are many types of yoga one can try, here are a few:

  o Kundalini yoga – Focuses on the release of energy around the spine by fairly heavy positions. It is based on tantric tradition in order to reach enlightenment.

  o Lyengar yoga – It is based on the teachings of B. K. S. Iyengar. It entails physical strengthening, combined with heavy breathing and relaxation.

  o Asatanga or Power yoga – Has gymnastic like moves, focusing on the production of heat. It is popular in the younger community and targets people that are already fit.

  Tags: yoga

• 09Mar

  Macrobiotic

  Nutrition No Comments

  Macrobiotic is the art of eating healthy foods and processing it in the most efficient manner. Is is similar to a vegetarian meal, but the difference here is the chewing. Yes, that’s right, you should chew each spoon full around 100 times. Getting acquainted with Macrobiotic:

      * The diet includes mostly cooked grains, beans, fruits and vegetables, all organic and fresh.

      * It is a little bit tough for someone that never tried before to do it at once.

      * The lesson to be taken here is the importance of a good chewed meal. The digestion of the food starts at your mouth. The process of chewing allows the saliva containing enzymatic catalysts to start digesting your food in your mouth. The food is then processed easier at the later stages of digestion.

      * This ritual has been followed by macrobiotics for years, then why not chew your meal well in order to absorb the highest quantities of its nutrients?

      * Macrobiotic also looks at the types of foods using the Chinese method of Yin and Yang. For example, potatoes are consider as a vegetable high in yin energy and therefore should be avoided in their diet. Foods not contained in the four categories mentioned above can be considerate over stimulating or being able to stagnate the body energies.

      * Macrobiotic also takes into consideration the seasons, and with them special foods that would better suit your metabolism for the climate.

  The lesson to be taken here is to keep chewing as much as you can, while eating fresh foods!

  Tags: macrobiotic

• 05Mar

  Butt workout

  Fitness, videos No Comments

  Tags: Fitness, workout

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