The Mayo Clinic reports the health benefits of yoga may include stress reduction, increased fitness, help manage other chronic health conditions and weight loss. Today, yoga classes teaching the art of breathing, meditation and posing are offered nearly everywhere. But you can also use some simple poses at home to wipe away the stresses of the day.
Dispelling yoga myths:
Do you have to wear tights? NO, just wear normal work out clothes
Is yoga just for women? No. Yoga is great for men too--it benefits humans!
Do I have to bend like a pretzel? No, yoga is very forgiving. Do what your body will allow and you'll improve.
Is yoga for people who are already thin? No, not at all. There is no judgment in yoga. Yoga is for, and benefits all body types.
Yoga is for younger people. No, yoga is open to all ages. Yoga improves balance and concentration and really benefits people who are getting older and want maintain or regain flexibility.
Power Yoga Chicago
Locations: Lincoln Park and Lakeview
www.poweryogachicago.com
773.880.YOGA (9642)
More about Judd Albring (release)
Judd Albring, owner of Power Yoga Chicago, is a Vinyasa Yoga instructor certified with Yoga Alliance. He received his 200hr RYT Teaching Certification with Yoga Now in Chicago and completed Level One Teacher Training in Power Vinyasa Yoga with Baron Baptiste. Judd has been practicing all forms of Yoga since 2005. Per the recommendation of his Dr. to reduce stress, anxiety and lower his blood pressure Judd stepped into his first Yoga class in December 2006. Since then he has gone off heart medication, lost 75 lbs and continues on the road of recovery from a life long addiction to drugs and alcohol.
Instructions for Child Pose:
1) Kneel on the floor. Touch your big toes together and sit on your heels, then separate your knees about as wide as your hips.
2) Exhale and lay your torso down between your thighs. Lengthen your tailbone away from the back of the pelvis while you lift the base of your skull away from the back of your neck...stretch your back.
3) Lay your hands on the floor alongside your torso, palms up, and release the fronts of your shoulders toward the floor. Feel how the weight of the front shoulders pulls the shoulder blades wide across your back.
4) Child's pose is a resting pose. Stay anywhere from 30 seconds to a few minutes. Stay in the pose from 1 to 3 minutes. To come up, first lengthen the front torso, and then with an inhalation lift from the tailbone as it presses down and into the pelvis.
PYC Buddy Brunch
January 29, 2012
Dana Hotel (660 N. State Street, Chicago)
Yoga & Brunch $40 (just brunch $30)
Yoga: 10-11:15 a.m. and brunch 11:30-1:00 p.m.
100% of the proceeds to benefit Best Buddies (www.bestbuddiesillinois.org)
