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Yoga basics for kids combat childhood obesity

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If you're looking for inspirational stories for kids, look no further. According to a WJBK FOX 2 News report, children in Detroit are using yoga and stretching to watch their weight. This city-wide initiative was started by a local nonprofit dedicated to fighting childhood obesity.

Called the Work It Out Foundation, the organization has partnered with the Children's Hospital of Michigan to bring yoga basics for kids to a number of elementary schools in the city.

Currently, more than 1,700 Detroit schoolchildren are enjoying the benefits of yoga, all thanks to the nonprofit's work, the Detroit Free Press Digital Host reports.

Studies have shown that yoga is an effective way to get kids moving and help them stay at a healthy weight. For instance, a report published in the journal Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice found that a 12-week yoga program helped teens at risk for type 2 diabetes shed unwanted pounds.

The Kaplan University Center for Health and Wellness adds that yoga is good for all sorts of childhood-specific problems, including stress, wandering attention and body image issues.

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Nov 16, 2011

‘Days of Our Lives’ star uses yoga basics poses to get fit

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Yoga's health benefits extend to everyone, from contented elderly practitioners to the young and the restless. Speaking of which, even soap stars can be spotted practicing yoga basics poses or gushing about them.

Take Lisa Rinna, known for her long-time role as Billie Reed on daytime television's "Days of Our Lives" (DOOL). Recently, she posted a photo online depicting her slim, tanned body clad in little more than a red bikini.

How did Rinna get her physique looking as good as it did 15 years ago, when she played Taylor McBride on the teen TV drama "Melrose Place"? Why, yoga, of course!

She told the Huffington Post that the holistic health regimen has been very good to her. "I've been doing yoga, and my body is looking real good right now," Rinna said, quoted by the news source.

According to the actress, she needs to look her best, since she'll be reprising her role as Reed this fall on DOOL.

Rinna has previously appeared on TV promoting laughter yoga. She also told journalist Rachel Cohen that she has been practicing yoga for more than eight years, according to an interview that aired on Lifetime TV.

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Nov 1, 2011

In U.S. and abroad, dogs and owners do yoga basics poses together

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If you're a fan of yoga and health articles, you may have noticed a trend toward dog-related reportage. While dog yoga – or "doga," as it is also known – is not especially widespread, it certainly makes headlines.

This may be because the holistic healing power of yoga is so simple and powerful that it can apply to nearly anyone, whether they are a man, a woman or man's best friend.

The Associated Foreign Press recently reported that some canine owners in Hong Kong have begun doing yoga basics poses with their pooches.

Why try yoga with a pet? Susanna Ackerman, the nation's first self-described doga instructor, said that dogs and humans have similar mental energy states.

"Do dogs meditate? Yes, I think they can," she told CNN GO. "Animals can get into that same calm sense and state. I think your energy can transfer into them."

Regardless of whether you do yoga alone or with a furry friend, the mind-body regimen is a great way to improve your mental, physical and even metaphysical well-being. After all, yoga is the only exercise routine that incorporates relaxing activities like meditation, stretching and tai chi.

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Oct 24, 2011

Yoga basics for kids help them stay calm, grounded and centered

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Yoga is a holistic Eastern regimen that is typically associated with adults, but over the years, the program has become more popular among younger enthusiasts. Numerous yoga and health articles report on how the breathing exercises, poses and stretches can calm children, help them focus better in school and get them to sleep well at night. In fact, many classes offer yoga basics for kids to help them learn the gentle maneuvers.

The Miami Herald reports that the activity is becoming more widespread among the youngest residents of South Florida, where little ones can attend yoga sessions at their school or local library.

According to instructor Cookie Billig, there weren't many yoga workshops around when she was a fourth-grader herself. Nowadays, however, classes are offered at studios across the country to help encourage families to practice yoga.

South Miami mother Bianca Premo is one parent who swears by yoga classes for her youngsters.

"Yoga helps [my daughter] listen to herself. It's discipline, but not in the punishment sense," she told the news source. "It's a practice to keep yourself calm."

Kids who participate in yoga may have a better chance of optimizing health and achieving academic success.

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Oct 12, 2011

Yoga basics for kids go a long way toward health and wellness

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Get enthused! Yoga basics for kids can confer all the health benefits of an adult yoga routine to children, while addressing some pediatric concerns in the process. Is your child sickly, exhausted, depressed or in chronic pain? Alternatively, is he or she distractable, hyperactive or generally unable to sit still? Either way, you'll find yoga-centric treatments and inspirational stories for kids all over the place.

Some of the pediatric conditions that yoga can address include:

Chronic pain

While children are not as likely to suffer from long-term aches as adults, their risk for chronic pain is still sizable, especially if they are injury-prone. This is one reason why researchers at Children's Hospital Boston recently looked into whether or not anesthesia programs teach kids yoga or meditation. Published in the journal Pain Medicine, the study determined that 86 percent of pain clinics educate children on at least one alternative form of pain management.

ADHD

Boys and girls with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can be a real handful. However, a paper appearing in the Journal of Attention Disorders suggested that children who are already taking medication for ADHD may benefit from doing yoga on the side, as a way to relax or focus.

Depression

Believe it or not, research indicates that yoga may be able to blunt the symptoms of depression among teens and young adults. A report published in the journal Alternative Therapies determined that depressed youth who try two or more yoga sessions each week may see improvements in their mood and anxiety levels.

And much more!

A meta-study appearing in the journal Academic Pediatrics announced that yoga may help kids with many different mental and physical problems. These include irritable bowel syndrome, poor respiratory health and anxiety.

Fortunately, many yoga studios offer classes for children, teens or the whole family.

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Sep 9, 2011

Teacher recommends using yoga basics for kids’ inner peace

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If your child is anxious, tired, fidgety or just plain bored, it may be in their interest – not to mention yours – to show them how to do a few simple yoga basics for kids. It turns out that numerous yoga instructors and alternative health experts recommend using yoga basics poses for stressed sons, discombobulated daughters and anxious adults.

Is stress a big deal?

It is, and it's a widespread problem to boot. If you think adults are the only people who suffer from anxiety, wait until you see the statistics collected by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).

The agency estimates that about 29 percent of adults will suffer from an anxiety disorder during their lifetime. While this figure may not surprise you, the data on children is pretty disquieting. The NIMH states that, among 13- to 18-year-olds, 25 percent are likely to have an anxiety-related condition over the course of their lives.

That's one-quarter of teens who will be diagnosed with a disorder caused by stress! Presumably, the lifetime risk for younger children is similarly high.

De-stressing with yoga

More than a few news agencies have published stories recently about the benefits that kids can get out of yoga. For example, an article in the Orleans Star noted that kids who attend classes at the popular daycare center Gymboree may be enrolled in yoga classes this month, at the Play and Music on Vantage Drive event.

Many parents report seeing improvements in their child's behavior and stress levels after showing them how to stretch, meditate and pose just like mommy and daddy.

Of course, frazzled parents can use the regimen themselves. After all, watching a child worrying about his or her stress level can leave you, well, stressed.

The Washington Post recently published a popular blog post listing ways that parents can help kids worry less about going back to school. And what about the parents themselves? The newspaper recommended doing yoga to "reduce your stress and awaken your joy."

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Sep 1, 2011

Make use of the six popular yoga basics poses

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People who want to get the most yoga and health benefits for their buck often wonder where to start when first giving the regimen a try. To give them a place to begin, here are six yoga basics poses that nearly anyone can do, before they've even received a lick of training!

1. The Basic Pose – It doesn't get much simpler than this. In order to collect yourself and get your body ready to stretch, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, arms relaxed and knees slightly bent. As you breathe, try to feel your energy channels slowly unblocking.

2. The Body Bounce – From basic pose, bounce up and down slightly with your knees. Sweep your fingers up and down the sides of your torso as you do so. This is a fun one, and it's good for reducing any initial tension.

3. Upper Body Tapping – Here's one that is unique to just a few highly effective yoga regimens. Making two loose fists, lightly tap your abdomen and chest. As you do so, take deep breaths, saying "Ahhhh…" as you exhale. Continue for five minutes as a way to get your circulation flowing.

4. Whole Body Patting – This is an extension of #3. With open palms, firmly pat your arms and legs, slowly travelling down each in turn. Include your face and neck, too. By stimulating your cells this way, you enliven them and invigorate your energy meridians.

5. The Neck Stretch – With your hands on your hips, inhale slowly. As you exhale, gradually lean your head over to one side, as if you are trying to touch your ear to your shoulder. Return to the upright position. Do the same for the opposite shoulder. Repeat several times. Don't stretch too far!

6. The Standing Stretch – Finally, interlace your fingers and stretch your arms to the sky. Now, bend gradually to one side as far as you can, and then right yourself. Try the other side and, to finish, reach for your toes before standing upright.

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Aug 15, 2011

Where can you practice yoga basics poses? Where can’t you!

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When it comes to yoga basics, what are the first things to know? Before developing a mental map of the techniques themselves, it helps to have a basic knowledge of yoga basics poses, as well as a simple understanding of what yoga is and how it can help you change your life for the better.

As a holistic mind-body practice, yoga has existed in one form or another for thousands of years. It originated on the Asian continent at least four millennia ago, and groups of practitioners have been passing it along ever since, often refining it along the way.

Over the years, the structure of yoga came to include meditation, stretching, posing, deep breathing, tai chi and qigong, though different styles emphasize each aspect more or less.

As this self healing system evolved over the ages, it also migrated from the eastern shores of Asia westward, across the Middle East, through Europe and eventually beyond the Atlantic to the Americas. Today, it is practiced by nearly 16 million Americans, according to a survey conducted by the Yoga Journal.

The diaspora of yoga should clue you in to one of its most fundamental characteristics. It is portable! Unlike so many other fitness regimens or mental health therapies, yoga may be done nearly anywhere, at any time.

This convenience of the program is the thrust of an article that recently appeared in the Gloucester Township Patch. The source noted that while yoga may certainly be performed in a studio or community center, you may also do it at home, at work or on vacation.

Likewise, learning to practice the tenets of a gentle yoga system can be done with or without the presence of a yoga instructor. Many yoga books, CDs, DVDs, CD-ROMs are available for practitioners of all skill sets, from the total beginner to the long-time expert, the source stated.

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Aug 1, 2011

Scale the outer limits of Toronto’s CN Tower

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While many people find enlightenment through prayer and yoga meditation, others take a more adventurous approach toward achieving their spiritual goals. For a thrilling experience while in Toronto, vacationers should consider a trip to the CN Tower, which is the tallest free-standing structure in the world.

It is certainly a thrilling time ascending the 1,168-foot tower in a mere 58 seconds via elevator, but the excitement does not stop there. Tourists are now offered the chance to scale the outer limits of the building at its highest point by being strapped to a rail via a harness, which allows adrenaline junkies to walk along a five-foot ledge with no railing.

"With our 35th [anniversary] coming up this summer, we thought what a great opportunity to introduce visitors to something new and exciting – and on top of that, extreme," chief operating officer Jack Robinson said to the Globe and Mail.

Those who are a bit skittish about hanging off the top of the CN Tower can still enjoy the sights from above by visiting its observatory, which features a 2.5-inch-thick glass floor that lets travelers see more than 1,000 feet below them.

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May 12, 2011

Walk down the path of Via Dolorosa

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One does not have to follow a certain belief system in order to appreciate famous attractions in Israel. However, being in the presence of one of the most famous sites in the Christian religion may well enhance one's path to personal change, as it allows room for appreciation of others and acceptance of differing values.

The Via Dolorosa, which, translated from Latin, means "way of sorrows," is known to be the road that Jesus purportedly followed as he headed towards crucifixion. While the path has been changed over the years due to modernization of the area, many Christians from all over the world visit this area, as it serves as the Mecca of their spiritual journey.

Along the road, visitors will find the 14 Stations of the Cross, which may be familiar to some, as many churches adorn their walls with these images of the 14 final events of Jesus' life. The first station depicts the moment in which the Son of God was sentenced to death. That same spot is allegedly where his resurrection took place. 

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May 12, 2011

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Though it was founded in the 1980s, Dahn Yoga's basic precepts and techniques are directly descended from methods practiced five millennia ago in East Asia. These precepts include the importance of the mind's partnership with the body, as well as the need for a balanced bond between the two.

Today, thousands of Americans practice Dahn Yoga everyday, many of whom are delightedly trying it for the first time. Taking a little time out of one's day to stretch, breathe, pose and meditate with a gentle smile on one's face can radically change one's mood and outlook.

This blog offers responses to news items that prominently feature Dahn Yoga and its neighborhood centers.

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