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Get Physical: Dance Your Way Into 2008

FitSugar — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 03:30:00 -0800

New Year's Eve is on Monday and what better chance is there to burn calories while having fun by dancing the night away? Starting this weekend and moving into early next week, there will be a lot of dancing going on. So grab a partner and hit the dance floor — you're bound to burn a ton of calories and have a blast while doing it.

Activity	Calories Burned Per Hour
Ballroom (slow)	207
Ballroom (fast)	378
Disco	394
Twist	326
Swing	306
Hip Hop	465
General	306

Source

Belly Aching? Try Some Yoga

FitSugar — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 02:30:00 -0800

So how are you feeling after that enormous Thanksgiving meal? Not so good? If your belly is feeling less than perfect, try some of these "wind releasing" stretches (that's really what they're called).

Nothing gets things moving along like a great spinal twist. This one is called 1-Legged Seated Spinal Twist or Marichyasana.

Want to see the other stretches? Then

If you're bloated or constipated, bend both knees into your chest and give yourself a big hug. It'll help to massage your abdominal organs.
You can also do this pose by alternately hugging one knee into the chest, holding for five breaths, and then switching sides.

Fit's Tips: Does your body need a little bit more stretching? Why not bring along a gentle yoga DVD and pop it in. Get your family members to do it along with you. It'll help you relax from the stress of traveling and also help with digestion.

Strike a Yoga Pose: 1-Legged Seated Spinal Twist

FitSugar — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 04:00:00 -0700

Spinal twists feel incredible on your back. They help to lengthen your spine, and in doing so improve your posture and help you breathe more deeply. This pose is a great beginning yoga twist.

Sanskrit Name: Marichyasana C
English Translation: A Pose dedicated to Marichi (a great sage and son of Brahma)
Also Called: 1-Legged Seated Spinal Twist

Want to know how to get into it? Then

Let Pilates Move You: The Twist

FitSugar — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 09:15:00 -0800

The Pilates Twist is a great antidote to any weight gain you might be experiencing in your middle, post holiday season. The Twist will definitely whittle your waist since it targets the abdominals, especially your internal and external obliques.

Watch it, then try it.

You should do The Twist 8 - 10 times on each side.

Twists For Your Thanksgiving Tummy

FitSugar — Thu, 23 Nov 2006 13:33:06 -0800

After a big meal, it's great to plop yourself right down on the couch and let yourself digest. But here's a gentle twist you can do to ease your digestion and keep your tummy happy.

1. Start seated in Hero pose, sitting on your heels.

2. Bend your right knee and plant your foot on the ground beside your left knee. Pull your left foot in towards your right hip. If that hurts your knee, just straighten out your leg.

3. Press your left elbow against the outside edge of your right knee, lengthening your spine, and opening through your chest. Hold here for 5 deep breaths then do the other side.

Yoga poses help increase blood flow and stimulate the intestinal action known as peristalsis so digestion is more efficient. Yoga also helps to calm you which relaxes your digestive tract and helps pass things along, which makes you feel a lot better. Then you'll have more room for extra dessert.