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Because I love yoga, and Pilates, but am by no means a guru of either practice, I felt compelled to pass along some helpful resources so that you can learn more. Yoga is one of those activities that evolves as you evolve. The yoga you do today will not be the same yoga you do a year from now, and your body won’t likely be the same body either (note: this is a good thing – Yoga evens ‘things’ out, balances muscles, massages the joints, just all-around good stuff ;0). I’ve learned through my own yoga/Pilates journey that there is always something new to learn. That said, here are some fabulous resources you can tap for “current” information.
Enjoy!
MAGAZINES
Learn the poses and live the lifestyle, online or subscribe to the print version.
www.yogajournal.com
So far, the only magazine dedicated to the practice of Pilates: workouts, tips, nutrition and products. www.pilatesstyle.com
Whole Living – Your connection to body & soul
A Martha Stewart publication that focuses on green living, organic food and mind-body fitness. www.wholeliving.com
WEBSITES
Inner Idea
Explore all facets of mind-body practices: physical movement, nutrition, mediation, stress management and spiritual renewal. The Inner IDEA website is a great place to find mind-body research, books, DVDs and fitness conferences listings.
Pilates Insight
An all-encompassing online resource for Pilates information, products, and training.
Pilates Digest
Want to further your knowledge of Pilates and expand your repertoire of exercises? On this user-friendly site you can easily find product reviews, training articles, video exercises. You can even purchase mind-body apparel and gear
Pilates Method Alliance
An international, non-profit organization that establishes certification and continuing education standards for Pilates professionals. Use this valuable resource to locate a qualified instructor, or to learn how you can become one yourself.
The Pilates Method
The Physicalmind Institute has been developing teacher-training programs and continuing education resources for instructors since 1991. You can also locate PMI-certified instructors near you using their search tools.
Stott Pilates
Stott Pilates rovides cutting-edge Pilates education, equipment, DVDs, and articles. This site is a reliable resource for both instructors and students.
Yoga Alliance
Individual yoga teachers and training programs that comply with the minimum educational standards established by Yoga Alliance can register with this prestigious organization. Use their registry to locate YA instructors and training programs near you.
Yoga Download
“Take Yoga Anywhere!” is their motto. Use this site to download yoga and Pilates videos right to your computer and work out whenever and wherever it is convenient for you.
Yoga Movement
Find out about yoga events, improve your personal practice, or find a yoga studio when you’re on the road – they list studios in every state and over sixty countries.
Yoga Research and Education Foundation
The Yoga Research and Education Foundation is a non-profit organization whose primary objective it so conduct and promote research on anything related to Yoga.
Yoga Skills
Stress management products and expertise for yoga students and teachers.
11
Actually, the question went more like this: “I hate to run. It is hard. Did I already say that I hate it? Yet, you talk about running so much. Why?” There was more, but for the sake of this post, let’s just say that this reader’s negative feelings about running ran deep (no pun intended).
Why am I so hip on running? Well, for one thing, it is hard. I like things that are hard to do. Second, it is “me” time, and often the only time I have for finishing a thought. Four kids…enough said. And finally, (and let’s face it, this is important stuff) few physical activities burn as many calories per minute as running. Check it out…
Table:
110 lb woman, 3 miles, 215 calories
130 lb woman, 3 miles, 255 calories
150 lb woman, 3 miles, 294 calories
170 lb woman, 3 miles, 333 calories
True, other cardiovascular activities come close to these stats, but in my opinion, they aren’t nearly as much fun. I can spend 40 minutes running through the woods and enjoy nature, or I can spend 40 minutes on an elliptical machine smelling the garlic spew from the pores of the sweaty guy next to me. And by the way, rec center staff, ESPN is not enjoyable to women, even when displayed on a fancy flat screen TV. Naw, it is outdoor running that I like – even when it involves chasing turkey vultures out of my way as I go. Now back to the topic of calories…
Tip: Want to find out how many calories you burn running? Look it up on Run the Planet. Enter your weight, gender and distance or speed and the handy calculator does the thinking for you!
Running has many perks
So there you have it. I’m hip on running – other people, not so much, and that is fine. The important thing is to find an activity (preferably a physical activity
that you enjoy, and will stick with, for the long haul. I won’t hold it against you if you hate running too.
If you’d like to give running another shot, you might like to read, “Run/Walk/Jog: Footprints toward fitness,” to learn about getting started, even if you have no experience. Also, “Running Resources” is chock full of, well, running resources, from trail and map information, to running groups for women. Finally, if you live in the Columbus area and are looking for local resources, “Columbus Area Running Groups for Women” dishes about area running groups.
Have a favorite activity other than running? Let’s hear it…