Researchers are testing simpler strategies designed to “nudge” students toward healthier food decisions. The new approach has been called “stealth health”: getting kids to eat healthy without even realizing it.
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See what happens when I watch Dancing with the Stars?
My husband’s not too happy with me right now. In a fit of misguided inspiration (okay, I knew he wouldn’t be happy but thought I’d take a chance anyway), I signed us both up for salsa dance classes at the local recreation centre.
Since I was smart enough to pre-pay, my long-suffering husband had no choice but to attend the sessions – albeit reluctantly. He was holding out hope that the dance instructor would look like Jennifer Lopez from the movie “Shall we dance,” but those hopes were soon dashed to the ground! Not that our instructor isn’t lovely – she just isn’t in the Jennifer Lopez calibre…but then again, who is?!
During our first lesson, we spent an inordinate amount of time learning the basic salsa step and making sure our posture and positioning were correct. Then our instructor started teaching us various moves and before we knew it, we were doing the salsa! Okay, it was our very amateurish version of the salsa but at least it was (vaguely) recognizable – or maybe not!
Now that we’ve been to three classes, we’re really starting to enjoy ourselves (although my husband has yet to admit to this.) There are five other couples who are learning with us and the biggest problem for most of them seems to be one of balance. Although I do have a reputation of being a klutz in my everyday life (if there’s something to bump into, I’ll bump into it; if there’s a rug to trip over, I’ll trip over it), I seem to be having no problem keeping my balance. I suspect that the reason for this is due to my regular yoga classes –I just knew that tree pose would come in handy one day!
At our last class, when my husband complained about not being able to keep his balance and asked how I could keep mine, I suggested that he sign up for some yoga classes as well. For some reason, that didn’t go down very well, but it could be that right now he – like me – is too busy trying to master the salsa!
Tags: salsa dancing, regular yoga practice, balancing, Dancing with the Stars, Shall we dance
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For many Americans, the recession is affecting their most intimate decisions about sex and family planning.
Comments rssCircumcision not only protects against HIV in heterosexual men, but it also helps prevent two other sexually transmitted infections, a large new study found.
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Comments rssThis strength training workout focuses on the muscles you use in golf, providing more power and strength for your golf game.
Comments rssThe outward rotation is a great way to strengthen the shoulder rotators as well as the rear delts. Learn how to do the outward shoulder rotation with good form for great shoulders.
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Hey! Did you join the Lululemon Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2008 Earnings Results Conference Call yesterday? No? Us either! Seriously, who can stand to listen to that monotonous financial dribble drabble? Well, we’re no stock analysts, but we did read a little news today and, unsurprisingly, it seems the Lulubird report is pretty much on par with the rest of corporate business…dismal!
Lulu-in-Chief Christine Day led the call with help from money guy, CFO John E. Currie. Here are the Highlights:
Oh come on, chins up, wipe that snot! Profit still grew from 2007: $30.8 million to $39.4 million. And even though new store plans have been scaled way down, the schedule still touts 6 new lulu outposts in 2009. A little sad compared to last year’s 33, but look at it this way, that’s still 6 new windows of opportunity to offend us. And you haven’t forgotten about the internets have you?
Says Day, “We are excited to announce that we are ahead of schedule in our e-commerce strategy and now plan to launch the site in early April. We believe that our e-commerce initiative will be a great tool through which we will leverage our brand equity.”
Adding, “We expect minimal impact earnings in 2009, but based on our limited number of stores, we certainly expected business to become a meaningful for us over the next few years.”
Don’t be so coy. We know the greatness is slated to begin April 1st because we got the notice in our inbox! Along with encouragement to shop in the nude, which is suiting, because we’ll need to sell the shirt off our back to afford it!
It says “Top 10 Reasons to Shop Nude”… our favorite was the “You can shop with two hundred items in your cart without breaking your back.”
If you really want to do that to yourself, here’s the call transcript.
Earlier… Lululemon to Announce Dismal Q4 Earnings; go Go Internet Greatness!
Comments rssHey we all spend enough time prattling on about action sequence yoga practice: 
breathing, extending, sweating, chaturanga-ing. In the sweeping flow of all the power vinyasa-ing, restorative yoga kinda gets tucked under the blankets. But even without bolster and blocks we bet a good lot of you do your own version of restorative (likely in bed struggling to get up, or calming yourself for sleep), and you’ve probably felt much better afterward. You may even say it’s therapeutic (!) Of course there are spoilsports out there who don’t believe in the mind-body mumbo jumbo, but we’re guessing they haven’t heard about a recent study that found restorative yoga to cut depression in half in breast cancer patients.
The study involved forty-four women, half of whom were the control group, and the other 22 treated to a 75 minute restorative yoga class each week for 10 consecutive weeks. The results for the yoga group were an uplifted state of positivity and increased feelings of well being and calm. Meaning that control half were even more pissed off. (don’t worry, they got to participate after the 10 weeks were up. nice right).
“Evidence from systematic reviews of randomised trials is quite strong that mind-body therapies improve mood, quality of life, and treatment-related symptoms in people with cancer. Yoga is one mind-body therapy that is widely available and involves relatively reasonable costs,” said lead researcher Suzanne Danhauer, Ph.D., based at Wake Forest University School of Medicine.
Heh, there’s that cost talk again, we told you.
The good news is studies like this could bolster initiatives such as the Donna Karan-Beth Israel project to incorporate mind-body therapies into hospital recovery programs, universally. We know, we heard from you concerned about health insurance getting involved. But with the way the system is today, yoga being accepted as legit is the best thing that could happen for the patients benefiting from it.
This is just one study, and it’s focused on women who, some could argue, naturally get a rise, and healing, out of sharing with other hens in a communal setting. We’d like to see a study like this to include other demographics, and even other illnesses.
Yoga may not be a cure (no offense swamster Ramdev), but improving the quality of life for those battling physical illness is truly one of its priceless benefits.
Yoga cuts depression by half in breast cancer patients [MSN]
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UPDATE: We mentioned Old Navy’s laying down the chutzpa with their new lulu-slappin “Goga” ad. Well, we have confirmation that the ad is indeed part of a sweeping national campaign – we saw it with our own little eyeballs at an NYC Old Navy store yesterday. (photo by official YD undercover agent)
Yoga Journal politely wonders if maybe they could be using an abbreviated version of “looney” rather than attacking Lululemon. Haha. We just think the Chipster should have spent a little more time premeditating on the name of his overpriced yoga-inspired clothing company.
PS. The yoga items are surprisingly well-constructed (by Old Navy standards) and cheap – we bought a yoga top on sale for 10 bucks. also, there’s a just as large running/walking section. So far, no word on how great the pants make your ass look. Reports surely to follow.
One more thing. This does seem like a major appeal to the female market, once again with not much attention to dudes.
Comments rssWith imminent space storms threatening our very existence, and of course the economic crisis being as crisisy as ever, how about some laughter yoga time!
Please enjoy Celebrities On Invisible Bicycles! it’s pics of cruising celebrities with the bikes photoshopped out. OR gravity-defying interpretive dance.
hey could also be awesome/funny with yoga props no? any p’shoppin yogis out there?
See the rest at Holy Taco
And now for some papal protection: Pope Condoms!
“The condoms were released to mock the pope after he rejected condoms as a weapon against AIDS during his African trip.”
In your face Pope.
Via Telegraph UK
Comments rssYou know, we’ve been feeling really inspired lately by all the admirable yoga organizations and teachers who’ve made it their work to help people with chronic illness. It’s like every time we turn around there’s a new class or org. springing up for cancer survivors. And that’s a good thing, Martha. How can we be cranky when people are doing such great things in the world? Is this the start to a revolution in health care? We’d like to believe it, but sadly these days (and every day really) it all comes down to the bottom line. How much will it cost? How much will it save? (will it be subsidized?)
Donna Karan’s amazing donation of $850,000 to start a holistic yoga therapy program at NY’s Beth Israel Hospital has had lots of positive attention and results; while physical transformation of the oncology ward is still on the agenda for completion next month, 86 patients have already been treated to therapeutic yoga sessions by the project’s staff, who spend 6 hours a day in the ward. Simple measures like placing a pillow between a patient’s legs or encouraging awareness of the breath have made a huge impact on alleviating the suffering from cancer. So what’s the issue, why not incorporate the programs in every hospital across the land, STAT!
Well let’s get down to the nuts and bolts, and by nuts and bolts we mean the dollar bills y’all. Are holistic nurses actually saving hospitals money? Dr. Woodson Merrell, Chairman of the department of integrative medicine at Beth Israel, says, “Cost saving is what I’m really excited about, because that’s going to be a real change agent, and particularly in this time of global recession when nobody has money to spend on anything.” Yes, no one has any money! Cost saving is very exciting! So ok we get it, patients are improving with yoga and that translates into lower overall treatment costs per patient, which means less money poured into the pharmaceutical industry, which means less money for insurance companies, which means… which means this is never going to happen! All right, it’s still too early to tell. Perhaps we should be more optimistic with Superhero of Hope in the office.
The program at Beth Israel is, for now, only a 1-year experiment. If it’s successful, and clearly we mean for the patients and for the pocketbook (there’s actually a research component measuring cost savings), there’s a glimmer it will live on and, best case, encourage more hospitals to integrate a similar holistic approach. *And struggling yoga teachers, this could be great news for you – more jobs! Of course, that is until hospitals figure out that another way to cut costs is to train in-house nurses and doctors on yoga methods. sigh. We knew we shoulda listened to mom and gone to med school. At least we won’t be encountering that problem in prison yoga any time soon, right?
Anyway, for now we’re just wondering where all the other down dog millionaires are blowing their pocket change. Jennifer Aniston? You’ve sure got plenty of time on your hands. Russell Simmons? We’re looking at you.
What d’yall think? Anyone have firsthand experience teaching/working in hospitals or as a patient?
[VOA News]
Thanks to elephantbeans for the video heads up.
Earlier…Donna Karan To Make Over Beth Israel Cancer Treatment Floor, Dress It Up in Yoga
Tips for Finding the Right ‘Natural Practitioner’: Is Government Regulation On the Way?
More… Yoga Therapy
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OK we admit it! We’re not basketball fans! But LeBron James you have wooed us so, we may have to pawn our stamp collection to buy an HD TV just so we can watch you play. Too far? Well you remember last month when the LeBrog was spotted at a elementary school teaching yoga to starry-eyed kiddles (on a yoga mat with his name on it!). Adorable! Today we came across a more detailed article on LeBron’s fondness for yoga as a part of his pre-hab/ rehab fitness regimen. And honestly, we’re probably in love. Yogi athletes are the sports stars 2.0+.
We’re pretty sure no one will forget Kareem Abdul-Jabar’s connection with yoga, like ever, as long as Bikram has his way. But unlike Kareem and Bikram’s disciples, Lebron believes in downward dog. Also, Vajrasana, Virasana and even Salamba Sarvangasana.
“Yoga isn’t just about the body, it’s also about the mind, and it’s a technique that has really helped me,” James said. “You do have to focus because there’s some positions that can really hurt you at times if you aren’t focused and breathing right.”
Ahh yes, just like life LeBron. We float about and can really hurt ourselves if we forget to breathe. Gah, he’s soo wise. sigh.
Well sure, athletes have always had some sort of vigorous training program (though we’ve always wondered about some baseball players – why are they still chubs?). Basketball in particular does wonders for arms and legs strengthening, but when looking for core and balance, yoga has become key. Besides helping to strengthen the oft overlooked yet vital human parts like ankles, shoulders and hips. Serious athletes are serious about elongating their career (and keeping that cash flow), which means they’re pretty serious about yoga, cause it’s awesome! and cause of the reasons we mentioned above.
Other Pro-Baller facts you may not have known:
In recent years, Shaquille O’Neal has used it at times to increase flexibility in his legs. Phil Jackson, who is famous for his alternative techniques, used it as a player to help with back problems and had the Bulls go through a series of yoga classes throughout the 1997-98 championship season.
“I’ve been blessed with a lot of physical talent and a strong body,” James said. “I have focused on working hard to maximize those gifts.”
Keep maximizing the gifts, man. Go Cavaliers!
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“Everybody remain calm. Our comfy, stretchy yoga pants are here.
Our guru thinks you’re lulu if you spend $90 for yoga pants.”
POW right in the kisser. Kind of a playful little ad, no? “Go Yoga-ing” is all fun and bouncy, makes us feel like “Go Spelunking” or something. The ad falls in line with the typically whimsy Old Navy marketing (perhaps gone a bit too far recently with the new mannequin campaign – how annoying is that?). But amidst the levity of hot pink and flowers, the message hits below the belt, and where it counts the most these days: the wallet.
So far this is the first direct offensive we’ve seen launched against the lulus, with surely more to come, especially now that internet greatness is imminent! But when Old Navy does advertising they do it on a massive scale – it’s not just an artsy blurb in one store window – so we imagine this message is being plastered at every one of the 1067 locations. We anxiously await the power play from mothership Gap who snagged Athleta last year, much to the chagrin of the Lulubirds hoping to buy into e-commerce. (Just for reference Gap Inc. runs 1193 Gap stores, and is the mama to Old Navy, and Banana Republic, 573 stores). Yep, whether you like it or not, Yoga has hit the big time, and now has a place at the big kids table: knuckle sandwiches are on the menu!
In perusing the Old Navy website we were really surprised to find such an ample collection. $15 for the 1 yard of material it takes to make yoga shorts vs. a $34-40 price tag sounds like a pretty great deal. Seriously, if they had a clearer stance on sweatshops they’d totally beat out our fave American Apparel.
Ad snapshot via The Professional Vegan
Earlier…Eddie Bauer Makes Move to Yoga Market, Cramping Lululemon’s Style
Cult of Commerciality: Lululemon’s Agenda of ‘Calculated Nonchalance’ At Yoga’s Expense
Comments rss[Editor's Note: Fitness author Jon Benson shared this letter with me and gave me permission to share it with you.]
Anyone with a history of high blood pressure in their family knows what devastation it can wreak. It carries with it a mishmash of health risks, many of them serious, like tripling the risk of dying from a heart attack, quadrupling the risk of dying from a stroke, doubling the risk of congestive heart failure and tripling the risk of developing kidney disease.
But if our very lives weren’t enough for high blood pressure to be in the top five of our "Health Issues to Be Concerned About" lists, then how about the lives of our marriages and relationships?
High blood pressure has a significant impact on a couple’s sexlife. Sex is a crucial part of any relationship, and when a loving couple is not having it at least on a semi-regular basis, more often than not, the relationship sours faster than curdled milk.
The reason high blood pressure affects the average sexlife all boils down to blood flow. Due to the narrowing of the arteries that high blood pressure creates, it diminishes a man’s ability to have an.erection — never mind maintain one — as there’s less blood flowing to the penis.
To rectify this situation, the average guy heads to his doctor, reluctantly tells him or her about his issues "down there," and the doctor prescribes him with some form of hypertension med — usually an alpha or beta-blocker.
Problem solved, right? Not exactly.
While your blood pressure levels might lower incrementally, your sex drive will lower incrementally as well — the very opposite of what you want to have happen.
This isn’t some theory concocted by so-called natural health "whack jobs," mind you. Well-respected news organizations and medical information outlets — like ABC News and the Mayo Clinic — corroborate this. In an ABC News webcast on Feb. 7 of last year, Dr. Domenic Sica, chairman for Clinical Pharmacology and Hypertension at the Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, said this:
"When you look at it, a number of the blood pressure medications we use are associated with the onset of male dysfunction. Now, that can be a diuretic, a beta-blocker, or so-called peripheral alpha beta-blocker — those are three drugs commonly linked to male dysfunction."
I’m not sure the link can be made any clearer; you name the hypertension drug, and it will adversely affect your sexlife.
Given this, if you’ll pardon the cliche, how does one kill two birds with one stone? How does one lower their blood pressure and improve their lovelife at the same time? Or is that even possible?
Absolutely it’s possible, and you can learn how to do it all-naturally.
Bestselling authors Frank Mangano and Jon Benson have developed an easy, all-natural way to lower your blood pressure and improve your sexlife at the same time. They weren’t sure this was possible, but after months of research and hordes of emails from people on how their system worked for them, they don’t just think it’s possible, they know it’s possible!
Let me prove it to you.
Go here:
http://tinyurl.com/lowpressure
I recommend you visit their website immediately, where you’ll get a crash course on how this issue has affected me personally; more information on the links between what’s ‘down there’ and hypertension; and most important of all, how you can improve the health of your body and your relationship…all-naturally.
Sources:
health.yahoo.com/bloodpressure-complication/high-blood-pressure-and-sex-overcome-the-challenges/mayoclinic–13476B30-E7FF-0DBD-18FF920E1D5480C7.html
americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=2129
abcnews.go.com/Health/HypertensionTreatment/story?id=5236683
Comments rssI can remember, with almost perfect clarity, what if felt like to release weight week after week after week when I was 24 years old. I had been obese through my entire childhood and as a teenager. I don’t have to tell you the pain that went along with being “the fat kid” – a lot of you either shared that pain, or share a different one, as we watch our own kids become part of the obesity epidemic and grow heavier and heavier. I often wondered why I had success at weight loss and so many others did not.
Ten pounds – twenty pounds – a hundred pounds – chances are that MOST of you who read this have struggled with weight loss, and the low body image and self esteem issues that go with it, for years of your life.
Since my early twenties that I haven’t worked to keep that weight off. My commitment to keeping my weight off is about self-love and self-care, not just about liking being thin. And to inspire others to discover their own bodies in a new way. That work became so important to me that I have become a well-known speaker and mentor in the transformational movement, and built two very successful companies to empower others. I am also privileged to have inspired hundreds of people to create permanent change in their lives with a NEW philosophy.
I share all of this because I know ONE thing above all others: I know that hating our bodies can never heal them.
However, something still needs to shift. For every one person who loses ten pounds, ten more are gaining it (or gaining it back). As Americans, we have literally shifted the scales of our lives toward obesity, diabetes, heart disease, poor self-esteem, low body image, and on and on and on. We need to shift those scales back. And so, I am making a shift in my own life to be part of that effort – that movement of the scales.
Our bodies are amazing. Have you ever been given any other gift that runs 24/7, works tirelessly without being taught, and will always provide a home for you? Your body will never turn you away – even after you’ve beaten it up, called it horrible names, degraded it, and even hated it. It will just stay there, supporting you endlessly. What lover would do that?
Yet women seem to find their bodies so unlovable. Skinny, fat, hairy, short—we call ourselves such unkind names. Every waking hour of our lives, we criticize and express frustration, displeasure and even hate. Why? Because our bodies are truly that hideous? Or is it just that it’s so much easier to condemn the problems that we face each day than to take loving responsibility to create change? Loving our bodies – ourselves – doesn’t have to be so hard.
Loving your body can be as simple as loving a single finger on your hand. When I began my personal weight loss journey, I could find nothing about myself to love. A friend suggested that I start with just one pinky. “You have to start somewhere,” she said. Twenty-one years later, that loving place to start has stayed with me, and I have discovered the joys of loving my entire body.
In response to the enormous lack of love and personal sustainability in our world and our bodies, I am starting a new journey. A Body Image Revolution. And I invite all of you who read this to join me, and to invite your own friends, colleagues and relatives to join also.
If you don’t think you could love your body, I ask you one question:
Could you start today by loving just one pinky?
To YOUR personal Body Image Revolution,
Laura Fenamore, CPCC and Body Image Mastery Mentor
On March 30, I will launch my Body Image Mastery Course and Community, “One Pinky.com.” Hold your space, this is going to be huge!
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