Farting in yoga class? What to do when this happens and how to prevent It.

OK.  I going to expose the dirty underbelly of teaching or going to a yoga class.  Something that any seasoned teacher or regular student has no doubt experienced.

When I am just a student in the class and someone accidentally lets a noisy one out I giggle and laugh and look in the direction of the lethal missile.  Now that I do a lot of teaching and am not the student that often, when someone in my class accidentally lets one out, then I have to swallow my laughter and giggle and not even look in the direction of the explosion.  I remember one time, that this guy kept cutting his chakra cheese fairly audibly and we couldn’t all ignore it if we tried and he had to say “ Sorry, Excuse me”  a few times. 

In order to prevent this (nothing horrifies students more when this happens....particularly when the studio is really quiet)  I have the music at a fairly audible decibel.  If you are hard of hearing then you might have some trouble hearing me though.  Also, when I can I urge students to avoid a heavy meal like lasagna with cheesecake immediately before class I do so.  I think it’s the most embarrassing when it is a guy doing this in a roomful of attractive young women.  Maybe this is why guys don’t come to yoga as often. 

Also, there are certain  poses that will make this happen more often than not.  Boat pose is particularly lethal so I make sure the music is pretty loud in this pose.  I think boat pose, particularly when it is a partner pose, is usually the evil culprit.  Also, appropriately titled, “Wind - Relieving Pose” sometimes makes this happen.  I guess you are pressing on the descending colon in this pose

As a teacher or student, what are your experiences of observing this in a class?  How did you react? 

For free videos, images, articles about yoga, email  info at synergybyjasmine dot com with “Request Yoga Tips” in headline.

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Published for Yoga Studio Philly
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Philadelphia Area - MainLine Presents Free Motherhood Fitness and Parenting Instructional Workshops

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Delaware Valley Presents Free Motherhood Fitness, Parenting and Maternal Wellness Instructional Workshops

Bryn Mawr, PA (June 30, 2011) – Belly Pilates, the Delaware Valley’s exclusive motherhood fitness and maternal wellness studio, comprehensively serving the health, wellness and educational needs of the multiple stages of motherhood, is excited to present this coming fall  22  FREE Instructional and Educational Workshops for parents throughout the Philadelphia and Main Line area. The workshops are scheduled from September 18th through November 20th. Nineteen of the area’s top parenting specialists will present on a multitude of topics geared to help educate and improve the health and well-being of parents and their babies, toddlers and young children. Workshop topics include: Partner Massage for Labor, Breastfeeding 101, Baby Development & Milestones, Sleep Solutions, Baby-wearing 101, Benefits of Doulas, Acupuncture During Motherhood, Making Your Own Tasty Baby Food, Infant Massaging, and much more.

Kelly McBride, owner of Belly Pilates, Birth Doula, Childbirth Educator, and the tri-states’ only certified Master Instructor of Prenatal and Postpartum Pilates, comments, “The inspiration for creating a lengthy series of free workshops came from a real passion to provide specialized, expert information for a growing number of moms interested in taking a more natural approach to leading a   healthier lifestyle for themselves and for their families. I’m so pleased to see how many ‘mompreneurs’ rallied behind me to offer such a well rounded line up! Not only do I welcome moms to explore the holistic services to be presented in many of these workshops, at no cost, but I encourage all parents to take advantage of this coming fall's series!”

All parents will receive goodie-filled Swag Bags upon their first visit to the Belly Workshops. Sponsors include: ERGO Baby Carriers, Moby Wraps, Mother’s Milk Tea, Lansinoh Cream, Bake 425, Baby POP, babyBdesigns, among others. Additionally, raffle prizes will be available for moms who attend three or more Free workshops.

For more information about the 22 Free Instructional Workshops to be presented this fall at Belly Pilates, visit: www.bellypilates.com. Click on the link “Happy Healthy Baby Belly Workshops,” for descriptions and registration details. Pre-Registration is required.

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Clients also benefit from the community of wellness partners and key resources McBride has established over the years. It is McBride’s goal to continue to expand and grow this community to better serve the needs of moms. A list of these partners and resources can be found on the Belly Pilates website at: www.bellypilates.com or contact Kelly McBride at 610.608.5883.

For More Information Contact:
Robyn Axner-Davis at 610.977.2099       
robyn@furmancommunications.com

 

For free videos, images, articles about yoga, email  info at synergybyjasmine dot com with “Request Yoga Tips” in headline.

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Published for  Beginner Yoga Philadelphia/
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Practicing Yoga with the Dog - Being Calm despite the furry Chaos - Exercising and Playing at Home

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Practicing Yoga with the Dog  

 

When I first got my dog, she was about 12 months old, still a puppy.  She would chase her tail around in circles, be so zippy at the thought of going outside and was a furry spitball of energy and enthusiasm.  When I first started doing yoga at home with some of my favorite yoga DVDs like Shiva Rea, Rodney Yee, Beth Shaw YogaFit or Desiree Rumbaugh she thought it was playtime and would be barking and yipping at me.  At first I locked her in the basement but that didn’t work so well since she kept screaming and  yelling.  (It’s not easy to be in shivasana when you hear BARK BARK WHINE WHINE BARK BARK WHINE WHINE WHINE .....

 

So then I let her be in the room with me again.  She loved to be on my mat while I was practicing on it.  Did you ever try to jump around a pile of breathing fur when you are doing sun salutations?  

 

After a few dozen times of attempting to be calm and yogic when dealing with her (being compassionate, patient, detached) one day I yelled at her at the top of my lungs “ GET THE F---K OUT you F---HEAD”!  Just so you know, most people that know me well would not say I have a temper, I’m fairly even keeled and not prone to angry outbursts.  After I yelled at her like that, the furry crackhead never tried to distract me when I was on my mat again.

 

I kind of missed the interaction in a way though so we negotiated a compromise.  She had to stay away from me when I was in the standing and seated postures.  When I am in shivasana or in a long restorative pose, she can lay on my lap.  It’s kind of soothing...she is almost like an extra yoga prop and helps me get more relaxed when I am ready to drop down into the final relaxation.

 

Granted it’s not much exercise for your fleabag.  A few goods way to let them get some exercise and is quite stimulating as well for dogs (that are hound breeds especially). Is to have the dog hide (put them in a closet or basement) Then take a small treat, hide it somewhere in the house and let the dog out and say “Go Get It!”  Your dog might not get it the first few times but they will get it by the 10th time if not sooner.  

 

You can also play hide and seek with your dog.  If you have small kids they will love to join in this too.

 

You could also just play some music and grab your dog front legs and just start to dance  with them.  My dog doesn’t love this but she does tolerate it.

 

What about you and your dog or cat?  Do you do yoga, execise or dance with them?  Post comments here or on our Facebook page.

 

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Jasmine Kaloudis, Yoga Teacher, Philadelphia.  Jasmines teaches beginner yoga Philadelphia and leads yoga retreats Philadelphia.

For free videos, images, articles about yoga, email  info at synergybyjasmine dot com with “Request Yoga Tips” in headline.

Twitter – synergyjasmine
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Yoga for Abs - My Review of a Yoga DVD for a sweaty, quickie workout

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Beth Shaw’s YogaAbs - A YogaFit Workout.

I went to the YogaFit Training a few years ago in New Jersey for the Restorative Yoga Teacher Training.  The crowd that was attracted to these trainings seemed to be working in a lot of gyms and were interested more in the physical and anotomical aspects of the practice.  I bought this dvd at the training and have done the workout a few times.  The length of the practice is awesome....25 minutes!  So you can squeeze it easily into your morning or evening workout.  I like the music beat in the background but this does go a bit fast if you are new to yoga.  This would be better suited for someone that had some yoga experience although if you had none you could probably catch on.  

One caveat which is both a big plus and big minus at the same time is that she has you use a special yoga ball that you keep between your legs which ensures the proper alignment and also helps to prevent injuries.  You don’t hve to order to the special YogaFit ball but you should buy one to do the practice.  I did the practice plenty of times just using a block or with nothing but there is a noticeable difference in your body when you don’t use the ball.  Some of the benefits promised according to the yogafit.com website are: 

- Improve body alignment   

- Create a stronger midsection

- Develop a solid yoga foundation

- Enhance self-esteem and confidence

- Reduce back pain and stabilize the spine

- Improve powers of concentration and focus

 

I don’t think this is a comprehensive enough DVD to offer a real yoga foundation since many of the traditional poses such as side angle and warrior are not included. If you want an athletic and quick yoga workout this is a worthwhile video.   It is an extra $5 for the YogaFit ball which is worth ordering if you don’t already have one.    I had a different ball but my dog ate it. (I never realized how much I would say that phrase until I got my first Puggle (Pug Beagle mix) two years ago.  I thought it was just a cliche excuse but this damm dog eats just about everything.... except her own boring dry dog food of course. )

What kinds of yoga DVDs have you worked out to?  Post comments here on our Facebook page.

Jasmine Kaloudis, Yoga Teacher Philadelphia and also leads Romantic Retreats PA and Couples Retreats PA

For free videos, images, articles about yoga, email  info at synergybyjasmine dot com with “Request Yoga Tips” in headline.

Twitter – synergyjasmine
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For articles, tips and suggestions about yoga; http://www.synergybyjasmine.com/yoga-blog 

 

 

When you want sweetness, are too lazy and it's too hot to turn the oven. Grilled peaches.

When you want sweetness, are too lazy and it's too hot to turn the oven on inside the house.

Grilled peaches: A lazy coook's dream

The sugar-plus-heat combination makes for a seductive caramelizing effect.  Peaches are a natural for the grill, where quick cooking brings out juiciness and intensifies sweetness.

1. Start with peaches that are firm with just a little give when you give them a gentle squeeze with your whole hand.
2. Cut the peaches in half and pit them. You can grill entire peach halves or cut them into wedges. 
3. Cook peaches over a medium fire on both sides until grill marks show and peaches are tender but not falling apart.

Serve grilled peaches plain or in salads. You can also try pairing grilled peaches with cool soy yogurt or with scoops of soy or rice-milk ice cream.

 

 

Jasmine Kaloudis, Yoga Teacher, Philadelphia

 

For free videos, images, articles about yoga, email  info at synergybyjasmine dot com with “Request Yoga Tips” in headline.

Twitter – synergyjasmine
Facebook – www.facebook.com/couplesyoga
You Tube – http://www.youtube.com/user/SynergybyJasmine

Published for http://www.synergybyjasmine.com/
For articles, tips and suggestions about yoga; http://www.synergybyjasmine.com/yoga-blog[[posterous-content:pid___0]]

 

When you want sweetness, are too lazy and it's too hot to turn the oven. Grilled peaches.

When you want sweetness, are too lazy and it's too hot to turn the oven on inside the house.

Grilled peaches: A lazy coook's dream

The sugar-plus-heat combination makes for a seductive caramelizing effect.  Peaches are a natural for the grill, where quick cooking brings out juiciness and intensifies sweetness.

1. Start with peaches that are firm with just a little give when you give them a gentle squeeze with your whole hand.
2. Cut the peaches in half and pit them. You can grill entire peach halves or cut them into wedges.
3. Brush cut side(s) of the peaches with a neutral-tasting oil, like grapeseed or canola.
4. Cook peaches over a medium fire on both sides until grill marks show and peaches are tender but not falling apart.

Serve grilled peaches plain or in salads. You can also try pairing grilled peaches with cool soy yogurt or with scoops of soy or rice-milk ice cream.

 

Jasmine Kaloudis, Yoga Teacher, Philadelphia

For free videos, images, articles about yoga, email  info at synergybyjasmine dot com with “Request Yoga Tips” in headline.

Twitter – synergyjasmine
Facebook – www.facebook.com/couplesyoga
You Tube – http://www.youtube.com/user/SynergybyJasmine

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For articles, tips and suggestions about yoga; http://www.synergybyjasmine.com/yoga-blog

Yoga Positions for Daily Use – The Cat Position and Cow Pose

Guest Blog By Michael Westbrook

Cat position and Cow pose, often referred to together as ‘Cat-Cow,’ are 2 of the most basic – yet beneficial – yoga positions that virtually anybody can perform. As always, if you are under the care of a physician or do not lead an active lifestyle, check with your doctor before performing any new exercise – including Yoga.

As you can imagine by their names, these poses mimic the actions of a cat and a cow. Interestingly enough, by performing these exercises in animal-like motions, we are able to reap a wealth of benefits from clearing our mind and comforting our body in preparation for meditation to working out tension in our back. Cat-Cow is not only a highly effective Yoga position, it’s an exercise that can be performed daily for winding down!

 

Cat-Cow For Back Pain Relief

Many hard working men and women and those with disabilities suffer tremendously from back pain of all sorts. From upper back and shoulders capturing and holding in tension to the lower back feeling twisted with a source of pain that’s so severe yet somehow unidentifiable, cat-cow pose can help you begin to relieve some of that pain any time during the day!

 

Cat-Cow For Meditation Preparation

Meditating effectively involves clearing your mind of all obstructions so that you are able to focus on one thing in the moment. A general target – especially for beginners – is the breath. There are other variations of mediation including images, specific conflicts, and other topics of contemplation which are all difficult to achieve without the mind, body, and spirit feeling in synch with each other.

How to Do Cat-Cow

For Cat-Cow pose start off on the floor on all fours. Make sure your arms are strait down from your shoulders, your palms are facing forward and your midsection and knees are at a 90 degree angle with your feet pointing out behind you.

 

Cat Pose

Inhale deeply as you raise the center of your spine and drop the top of your head towards the floor. You are imitating a cat stretching, so you will arch your back as high as you can while rounding your shoulders and your buttock.

Move into this position slowly, and count how many seconds your deep breath takes you to inhale. Once your lungs are full, hold for an equal amount of time, then exhale slowly – again counting to the same number. An ideal count should be anywhere between 6 and 10.

On your next inhale, transition to Cow pose.

 

Cow Pose

For cow pose, you will be mimicking a cow as you see them standing in a field. While taking in your deep breath, bring your back down as if you are now trying to reach the floor with your belly. Raise your head high and look strait ahead while raising your rear.

Repeat the same sequence of breaths as you did in cat position and transition between these poses at least 4 more times. Repeat at least 10 times focusing extra attention on deep breathing if you are preparing for meditation. If you are conducting cat-cow to relief pain, repeat the sequence slowly until your tension is gone.

 

Bio:

Yoga and meditation are key factors in my personal recovery from nicotine addiction. For more free information on yoga positions including the cat position and cow pose, make sure to visit http://stop-smoking-now-for-life.com/yoga-poses-beginning-yoga-positions.php

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For free videos, images, articles about yoga, email  info at synergybyjasmine dot com with “Request Yoga Tips” in headline.

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