Karmic Seeds Body Mind & Spirit

   BY  KAT HEAGBERG         Whenever I ask my students if there's anything in particular they'd like to work on in class,  pigeon pose   and "core work" are requested most frequently. But while there's generally a certain sense of excited anticipation that accompanies the pigeon requests, I sometimes notice that core work is requested with some resignation, or even dread. Much like eating raw kale or going to bed at a reasonable hour, we hear that core work is good for us, but it doesn't exactly sound like the most exciting way to spend our time. This may be partly because for many people—even in the yoga world—"core work" is code for "crunches" (or worse, sit-ups!), evoking memories of high school fitness tests, sore necks, and a repetitive movement that's, honestly, pretty boring. Still, we believe the "burn" at the end of a marathon crunch session indicates they're "working," and we r...

Here is each body type and some common attributes that make up each type. Each body type will also be explained in terms of strengths and weaknesses. Each has it’s own, so you can decide the best way to use your strengths to your advantage. The Ectomorph Body Type The ectomorph can be easily spotted in any weight room. They are often below the average weight for their height and have a skinny appearance. Ectomorphs tend to have very high metabolisms and often complain of relentless eating with little to no weight gain. Common Ectomorph Characteristics Include:  Small joints, skinny appearance, hyperactive, fast metabolism, can eat whatever they want, gets full easily, small chest and buttocks, difficulty building muscle, difficulty gaining weight, low body fat, and a narrow frame. Examples of female ectomorphs include:  Kate Moss, Audrey Hepburn, Cameron Diaz, Calista Flockhardt, and Gisele Bunchen Ectomorph Training Tips:...

by  Derrick Price, MS   on Sep 24, 2015 “Deep squats are bad for the knees!” Chances are you’ve heard this advice and maybe even given it to your clients. I know that for many years in my career I’ve been guilty of making similar recommendations to clients in all walks of life. The problem is, where did this advice come from? Is it valid and who is it valid for? What principles should we follow when doing or teaching one of the most popular exercises on the planet? This article will share much of the latest research about the science and application of squats and help separate fact from myth. Are Deep Squats Bad for the Knees? It is understandable to assume that the deeper the knee flexes, the more pressure this puts on the soft-tissue structures surrounding the knee. However, is this true? And is more “pressure” or force a bad thing? Interestingly enough, force applied to the anterior cruciate ligament and the posterior cruciate ligament during a squat actually...

by   Tony Nunez, MS   and   Len Kravitz, PhD   on Oct 23, 2015 Suspension exercise combines body weight and anchored, seatbelt-like straps to provide an alternative to free weights and machines. The question on a lot of trainers’ minds is whether these strap-based training systems work as well as more traditional resistance training tools. Though research into this question has been somewhat sparse, studies are starting to paint a picture of effective ways to integrate suspension exercise into a workout program. ( Note:  Suspension Training™ and Suspension Trainer® are trademarked terms owned by TRX®. This article uses the generic terms  suspension exercise  and  suspension exercise device. ) A Brief Overview of Suspension Exercise Suspension straps are usually anchored to a fixed point about 6 feet above the floor or higher. Research studies often call them “labile” straps, denoting their unstable nature. Though suspension ex...