Practice Makes Perfect?Throughout our lives, we have all heard the saying "Practice Makes Perfect". We have probably made that same statement from time to time. The older we get, the more we realize that perfection may not be reality. Life is ever changing. We grow, expand our beliefs, and become new creatures. As soon as we think that we have figured things out, a new day brings new challenges and hopefully new understanding. When we think of our yoga practice, we are striving for greater understanding. We are aiming to have a strong mind and body connection. Our steady and consistent practice helps us to become aware of what is going on with us mentally and physically. How am I breathing when I am feeling stressed or nervous? Am I able to find still moments when there is noise all around me? Am I afraid of being challenged? Am I growing? Although we may not ever reach perfection, our regular practice will help us to improve our lives in ways we may not have imagined.
Personal Trainer's CornerNutrition Part 2The most recent craze of reality TV shows highlighting remarkable body changes are amazing! Even as a trainer, I am impressed. The trend only further serves to push the everyday individual either into false expectations or deepen their sense of hopelessness. Very few of the reality shows deal with fat loss as a ratio of lean muscle versus body fat. This just means that in addition to losing fat, our "success subjects" may be also losing a high percentage of muscle tissue. I call this condition "skinny fat." It can be very unhealthy and it allows quick weight gains. (We will discuss this in more detail in a future volume.) The increased obesity rate in the United States proves that we are missing some simple facts on keeping our body composition in check. Remember that body composition is the ratio of lean muscle to fat. What does this mean and why is this fact so important? Well, muscles increase the body’s ability to burn fat at rest and help keep us functional and strong. When hearing these weight loss "success" stories, here are some facts to keep in mind:
So, the objective of any weight loss program should be on muscle preservation AND fat reduction over a long duration. This fact is frustrating to those tracking progress in pounds only. Also remember that any fat loss that is slow is much more likely to be permanent due to lifestyle changes that are made. These changes make the body an ally with our weight loss goals. Here are a few general tips to help with muscle preservation and fat reduction:
Schedule UpdatesFlexibility and Core for Young Athletes Flexibility with power, mental sharpness, muscular balance, and injury prevention are all key essential ingredients for a successful and balanced young athlete. This series of classes will incorporate progressive core work and Power Yoga postures to release tight muscles and promote balance.
Size of class is limited to 10 individuals. Class will meet twice a week for one month. All classes are approximately 60 minutes in length. Session 1
Session 2
Pre-registration is required for this series. Please call Yoga Connection at 972-618-9642, or register at the front desk. Payment is due at the time of registration. One session - $99, both - $160... Must sign up by May 29th! Yoga Sculpt We are excited to announce the addition of the “Yoga Sculpt” class to the evening schedule. For those who are not able to attend the morning class on Tuesdays and Thursdays, you will be happy to know that we are now offering the class on Wednesday evenings. Yoga Sculpt is a fitness oriented class that incorporates light weights with core strengthening yoga postures. Wednesdays, 7:45 - 8:45 Belly Dance Come and join us on Friday mornings for a fun and exhilerating belly dance workout. This class combines the art of belly dance with a dose of cardio for improved overall health. Have fun learning something new while slimming, toning and improving your body's range of motion. Fridays, 10:20 - 11:00
6-Week Beginner Series This 6-week series is a fun and non-threatening way for first time students to explore the fundamentals of yoga practice. Classes will focus on learning fundamental poses, the basics of breathing and the basics of yoga philosophy. Bring a sense of humor and an open mind to class! Mats and yoga props will be provided. Tuesdays, 7:30 pm - 8:45 pm Size of class limited to 10 participants. Class will meet once a week and are approximately 75 minutes in length. Cost per participant is $80. Classes fill up fast so please call Yoga Connection at 972-618-9642 to pre-pay and register. Closing RemarksSpring is in full swing and summer is right on its heels. As we do our spring cleaning, let’s consider what needs to be addressed in our lives with regards to our health. Perhaps, we need to modify our nutrition or incorporate that additional workout we promised ourselves. Maybe, we need to carve out some time for meditation and reflection. This is a good time to access the resolutions we made at the beginning of the year. We can bring them back into focus and tweak them (if needed). We hope to see you soon! Best Regards, James and Melissa |
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