Yoga with Gaileee, E-RYT:

Other Yoga offerings in the Golden Triangle (Beaumont, Orange, Port Arthur, Nederland) area

2012-02-03T09:22:00.001-06:00

Here's the list of other yoga offerings in the Jefferson Mid-County/Beaumont/ Orange - Golden Triangle Area. Be sure to call prior or visit website. Updated 2/2012.

Gail Pickens-Barger, E-RYT 200 & Registered
Childrens' Yoga Teacher (CYT), Lakshmi Voelker Chair Yoga Teacher (LVCYT) - 409-727-3177
http://yogawithgaileee.blogspot.com/
http://www.yogawithgaileee.com /
www.facebook.com/YogawithGaileeeERYT

Beginning & Intermediate Hatha Yoga, Yoga for MS, Childrens' Yoga and Chair Yoga
Exygon - Mid County, 1007 Nederland Avenue, Nederland, Texas.
Thursday and Friday at 8:30 a.m. - Beginning Yoga
Tuesday and Friday at 4:30 p.m. - Beginners Yoga

Adaptive Yoga for Multiple Sclerosis.
Sponsored by the National MS Society, Lonestar Chapter - Gail Pickens-Barger
Wesley United Methodist Church, 3515 Helena Avenue, Nederland, Texas
www.facebook.com/AdaptiveYoga

Tuesdays: 10 am in the foyer of the Sanctuary. Free for those with MS & their support persons. 2nd/4th Tuesday bring a set 1 or 2 lb weights. Every third Saturday, 10 am class at the church, with childcare provided.

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Ms. Ria Lihs, RYT 500	Best Years Senior Center 780 South Fourth Street Beaumont, Tx 409-832-1861	Best Years Center. The class meets Friday mornings at 9:30 a.m. It is free, all the teachers there donate their time, students are supposed to be 50 or over, this class is very very gentle yoga class.

Donation Yoga Class.	Buu Mon Buddist Temple, 2701 Procter Street, Pt Arthur, (409) 982-9319	Wednesday prior to meditation class 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Dr. Kim Folse	Personal Yoga Sessions from a Chiropractic Point of View 409-722-5482 Port Neches, Tx	Ashtanga Private Classes

Don Thomas	Yoga and Tai Chi instructor at Lamar State College in Orange Texas 409-882-3321	You may take the Yoga or Tai Chi classes as part of the continuing education program at the college.

Connie Lamb	936-391-5077 Liberty Texas	Mon/Wed/Fri @ 8:30 am at FLNB in Liberty. Mon/Wed/Fri @ 6-7pm Liberty National bank in Dayton

Beaumont Power Yoga aka Beaumont Yoga	Nicole Chance, Owner 6230 Phelan Road, Beaumont, Tx 77706 409-892-9642 409-892-YOGA	www.beaumontyoga.com http://beaumontyoga.com/ for online schedules

Exygon (Beaumont and Mid-County-Nederland)	Check online for location(s) and current schedule(s).	Mid-County - 8:30 am Thursday & Friday Mid-County - 4:30 pm Tuesday & Friday Beaumont - 5:30 pm Tues/Thurs. Kids Yoga - Thursday at 4:30 pm http://www.exygon.com/

Fannett Fitness	15285 Hwy 124 Beaumont, Tx 77705 Look up Fannett Fitness on Facebook 409-794-9962	Restorative Yoga on Wed at 7:15 pm and Power Flow Yoga on Sundays at 5 pm

FitLife	2826 Western, Orange, TX 77630 (409) 886-8181	http://fitlifestudio.me/?page_id=4 To see the schedule of yoga classes.

Golden Triangle Yoga	Jessica Depew, Owner 229 Dowlen Suite 6A (in between Basic Foods and Worlds Gym), Beaumont, Tx 409-861-0003	http://goldentriangleyoga.com/class_schedules.php

Love Yoga	Tiffany Maloney, Owner Studio in between 9th and 8th in Old Town Beaumont. 2481 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, TX 77702 409.454.3977	http://www.loveyogabeaumont.com/

Lumberton Fitness	727 N. Main, Lumberton, TX 77657 409-751-6034 LumbertonFitness@yahoo.com	http://www.facebook.com/LumbertonFitness

PowerHouse Gym in Port Neches, Tx	2825 Nall Street, Port Neches, TX 77651 (409) 293-3637	Call to get a class schedule emailed to you.

Sheila Umphrey Recreational Sports Center	Lamar University Open to students and faculty. See Lamar Rec Sports Center schedule for current yoga offerings.	http://dept.lamar.edu/recsports/GroupFitness.asp

Wilton P Hebert Health & Wellness Center (Christus Hospital)	3030 North Street, Beaumont, Tx 409-899-7777 ext. 4018	http://www.christushospital.org/landingc.cfm?id=729 Then look under "Look who is teaching" for group fitness schedule. Yoga free with membership. $20 drop in fee.

World Gym Beaumont	229 Dowlen Rd # 5, Beaumont, Tx 409-866-5595	http://www.worldgym.com/index.php?page=localGym&gymId=1192&action=schedules

World Gym Mid-County Port Arthur	8607 9th Ave, Port Arthur, Tx 409-724-7800	http://www.worldgym.com/portarthur
YMCA of Port Arthur	6760 9th Avenue, Port Arthur, Tx 409-962-6644 www.portarthurymca.org	Mon & Wed @ 10 am Tue & Thurs @ 11 am Silver Sneakers YogaStretch Friday @ 11 am Tue @ 6:30 pm

Winter/Spring 2012 Teaching Schedule for Gaileee

2012-02-01T18:36:00.002-06:00

Current as of February 2012

Yoga in America - study by Yoga Journal

2012-01-27T18:29:00.000-06:00

The number of people practicing yoga in the US has reached nearly 16 million and is expected to continue to grow steadily.

The latest "Yoga in America" study, just released by Yoga Journal, shows that Americans spend $5.7 billion a year on yoga classes and products, including equipment, clothing, vacations and media (DVDs, videos, books and magazines). This figure represents an increase of 87 percent - almost doubled compared to the previous study in 2004.

Yoga Journal also reported that the 2008 study indicates that 15.8 million people, or 6.9 percent of the US population, practice yoga. Of current non-practitioners, nearly 8%, or 18.3 million Americans, say they are very or extremely interested in yoga. And 4.1 % of non-practitioners, or about 9.4 million people, say they will definitely try yoga within the next year.

The study also collected data on age, gender and other demographic factors:

72.2% are women, 27.8% are men.
40.6 % are 18 to 34 years old; 41% are 35 to 54; and 18.4% are over 55.
28.4% have practiced yoga for one year or less; 21.4% have practiced for one to two years; 25.6% have practiced two to five years; and 24.6% have practiced more than five years.
71.4% are college educated; 27% have postgraduate degrees.
44% of yogis have household incomes of $75,000 or more; 24% have more than $100,000.

The 2008 study indicated that almost have (49.4%) of current practitioners started practicing yoga to improve their overall health. In the 2003 study, that number was 5.6%. And they are continuing to practice for the same reason. According to the 2008 study, 52% are motivated to practice yoga to improve their overall health. In 2003, that number was 5.2%.

"Yoga is no longer simply a singular pursuit but a lifestyle choice and an established part of our health and cultural landscape," says Bill Harper, publisher of Yoga Journal. "People come to yoga and stick with it because they want to live healthier lives."

One significant trend to emerge from the study is the use of yoga as medical therapy. According to the study, 6.1% of nearly 14 million Americans, say that a doctor or therapist has recommended yoga to them. In addition, nearly half (45%) of all adults agree that yoga would be beneficial if they were undergoing treatment for a medical condition.

And what about those Baby Boomers?

In just a couple of years, according to recent statistics, the number of Baby Boomers-aged adults participating in yoga classes increased by three million. Attend a yoga class and you'll find that it's not exclusively populated by younger women. Older women-and many older men-are also attending yoga classes.

According to the National Institutes of Health, yoga:

Improves mood and sense of well-being
Counteracts stress
Reduces heart rate and blood pressure
Increases lung capacity
Improves muscle relaxation and body composition
Helps with conditions such as anxiety, depression, and insomnia
Improves overall physical fitness, strength, and flexibility
Positively affect levels of certain brain or blood chemicals

"Yoga as medicine represents the next great yoga wave," says Kaitlin Quistgaard, editor in chief of Yoga Journal. "In the next few years, we will be seeing a lot more yoga in health care settings and more yoga recommended by the medical community as new research shows that yoga is a valuable therapeutic tool for many health conditions."

Prenatal classes in the Beaumont/Port Arthur Texas areas.

2012-01-19T11:55:00.000-06:00

If you come to my yoga classes at the YMCA of Port Arthur, I can modify your yoga poses in my Gentle Beginning Yoga classes on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. and Thursdays at 11 a.m. at the Port Arthur YMCA. My OBGYN highly recommended water classes, while I was pregnant, and the "Y" has some awesome water classes.

Additionally I teach a Beginning Yoga class at Exygon on Thursday and Friday at 8:30 a.m. If I know that you are pregnant, and how many weeks along, I can give you alternate poses to fit along in the class.

Otherwise check out the Wellness Center in Beaumont in the following Beaumont Enterprise Newspaper article. http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/life/article/Mommy-to-be-exercise-classes-keep-Southeast-Texas-1024572.php

Gail Pickens-Barger

Teaching Prenatal Yoga in Mongolia

Mommy and me Yoga with Grace

Grace and her Down Dog

New yoga classes starting up!

2012-01-16T09:36:00.001-06:00

If you haven't peeped and looked at my teaching schedule lately, you'll see a few new yoga classes offerings added.

On Thursday and Friday I'll be teaching Beginning Yoga at 8:30 a.m. at the Nederland location at Exygon! Very excited to start offering this class to the folks in Mid-County. The Exygon facility in Beaumont have a very talented and lovely instructor Eric Kacy! Let's hope I can present as nice of a yoga class as she does.

Remember..... "You don't have to bend like a pretzel to do yoga!" That's right. You don't have to be able to touch your toes either! I love to teach beginners...help them feel successful. Plus seasoned yogis like this class too! See you at Exygon, ladies and gents!

Yoga and Pilates Vinyasas - Pinterest with Gaileee ERYT

2012-01-04T16:44:00.001-06:00

Here is my pinterest yoga and pilates vinyasa.

http://pinterest.com/yogakiddos/yoga-and-pilates-vinyasas/

First Things First

Signing up for Pinterest – to sign up for Pinterest you need an invite. You can request one on the Pinterest home page or feel free to leave me a comment below requesting an invite, I’ll be happy to send a few if there’s interest.

After you’ve been invited to Pinterest, you need to set up a profile. First, you must sign in through your Facebook or Twitter account.

Setting up your profile – creating your profile is simple. Just fill out the information requested, upload a picture of yourself, and you are ready to start browsing!

AARP and Dr. Oz - 24 hours to a longer life (yup,,,,,yoga!)

2011-12-13T16:57:00.000-06:00

Dr. Oz, writes an excellent article again and is featured in the AARP magazine this month. Not surprizing is his reference to yoga.

Here is a summary of the article. See it all at:
http://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-11-2011/droz.html?cmp=RDRCT-DROZ_NOV04_011

Dr Oz's 24 hours to a longer life. Reduce stress, help prevent heart disease and cancer, even look younger--in just one day!

DO YOGA, REDUCE STRESS
I hope you had a good night's sleep, because we're starting early. I begin each day witha seven-minute yoga-inspired exercise routine. By the time you're 50, your heart has beaten about 2 billion times--a lot of wear and tear. Yoga can repair some of the damage by helping lower your heart rate. It also relaxes your blood vessels and reduces stress, which is especially important as you begin the day. (One recent study found there are 36 percent more heart attacks on Mondays--just when people are heading back to work--than there are are on Sundays.) So start your day with yoga or a light exercise routine.

Eat Breakfast, Look Younger
Snack on Berries, Help Stave Off Cancer
Take a Walk, Build Muscle
Eat Fish for Dinner, Boost Your Brain Health
Hit the Sack Early, Reset Your Internal Clock

7 Minute Dr. Oz and Joel Harper Workout

Oh No....Mr. Bill Yoga Pose! Gingerbread Yogi Poses.

2011-11-28T11:13:00.000-06:00

Ohhhhhh, Noooooo! Mr. Bill Gingerbread Yogi Pose!

Oh, My Vinyasa is bad!

Kinda Wobbly in my Tree!

Whew! I think I stood too long in headstand!

Ah, I'm happiest in Down Dog!
Arf!

The Gingerbread recipe, that I've listed on this site, is absolutely YUMMY! Don't need any molasses either! <3 Gaileee

Gingerbread Yoga People Recipe

2011-11-27T15:45:00.000-06:00

1 package (4 serving size) butterscotch pudding & pie filling
1 stick butter, softened
1/2 C. brown sugar, firmly packed
1 egg
1 1/2 C. sifted flour
1/2 t. baking soda
1 1/2 t. ginger
1 t. cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream pudding mix with butter and sugar.
Add egg and mix well. In a separate bowl, mix flour with the baking soda, ginger and cinnamon.
Sift together. Add to creamed pudding mixture and stir until well blended. Chill dough until firm. Roll out on a floured board to about 1/8 inch thick, and cut with a Yoga cookie cutter. Bake on a greased baking sheet for 10-12 minutes. Makes about 2 1/2 dozen. Acquire Yoga cookie cutters from bakedideas.com.

Enjoy! Gaileee

Conditions Improved By Yoga, Self Reported - from "Yoga As Medicine" Book by Timothy McCall, M.D.

2011-11-26T11:00:00.000-06:00

This article bears worth repeating! Look at all these conditions that Yoga helps you with!

As I am getting deeper and deeper into one of the books that we are to read for the YogaFit Therapy course, I am amazed at all the benefits of a regular yoga practice can do for folks. And I'm a yoga teacher. (The more you teach yoga, it seems the more you want to know....and need to know!)

Please read on for more information about "Yoga as Medicine" book (excellent!)by Timothy McCall, M.D. http://www.drmccall.com/ ~Gaileee

Yoga appears to be effective in the treatment of a wide variety of health conditions. In Timothy McCall, M.D. Book, "Yoga As Medicine", he goes on to say: We'll be reviewing the scientific evidence later but, for now, let's see what people who've tried therapeutic yoga have to say. In 1983 - 84, the London-based Yoga Biomedical Trust, run by Robin Monro, PhD, surveyed twenty-seven hundred(2,700) people, most between the ages of thirty-one and sixty, who used yoga therapeutically. To be included, participants had to have practiced yoga for at least two hours a week for a year or longer. Though the number of people with some of the conditions in question was small, the results (see the table below, and in Dr. McCall's book, Table 1.1) were impressive:

98 percent of back-pain sufferers found yoga helpful
90 percent of cancer patients
82 percent of people with insomnia
and 100 percent of alcoholics

The lowest success rate in the survey was for women with "menstrual problems," two out of three of whom found that yoga helped.

Table 1.1 Conditions Improved by Yoga, Self-Reported

Medical Condition     Number of               Percentage Helped
People Reporting               By Yoga

Alcoholism               24                          100%
Anxiety                 838                           94%
Arthritis &
Rheumatic Disorders     589                           90%
Asthma or Bronchitis    226                           88%
Back Disorders        1,142                           98%
Cancer                   29                           90%
Diabetes                 10                           80%
Duodenal Ulcers          40                           90%
Heart Disease            50                           94%
Hemorrhoids             391                           88%
High Blood Pressure     150                           84%
Insomnia                542                           82%
Menopausal Disorders    247                           83%
Menstrual Problems      317                           68%
Migraine                464                           80%
Neurological &
Neuromuscular Diseases  112                           96%
Obesity                 240                           74%
Premenstrual Syndrome   848                           77%
Smoking                 219                           74%

Source: The Yoga Biomedical Trust, London

Imagine how much you'd be hearing about a new drug that could accomplish even a fraction of this. Nevertheless, (it is Dr. Timothy McCall's)it's my experience that few in the medical community or the general public have any conception of what yoga has to offer. Part of the problem, (Dr. McCall) I'm convinced, is that many people who could benefit from yoga shy away due to misconceptions about what it is and isn't, or who can do it and who shouldn't.

Those subjects to be addressed in a different post.

Here is a NEW link about the 50 conditions benefited by Yoga by Dr. Timothy McCall!
http://www.drmccall.com/50HealthConditionsBenefitedbyYoga--Updated6-09.pdf

Enjoy the updated info!

Yoga for a Stress Free Thanksgiving!!

2011-11-22T07:22:00.000-06:00

Tuesday 6:30 PM at the YMCA of Port Arthur, Back Care Yoga with Gaileee

2011-11-01T14:23:00.000-05:00

Back Care Yoga with Gaileee on Tuesdays at 6:30 pm. Set of classes until the end of the year to help with those with challenges in their neck and back.

Come an enjoy a gentle beginning yoga class with Gaileee, with the emphasis on strengthening, lengthening and stretching muscles that pertain to keeping our backs healthy.

Yoga with Gaileee, E-RYT

Love Yoga Studio in Beaumont Texas

2011-10-31T14:27:00.000-05:00

Love Yoga - Beaumont Texas
New yoga studio in the Golden Triangle area. I took Tiffany Maloney's Restorative Yoga class last week. Can you say "Ahhhhhh?" Amazing restorative yoga class. Here are the vitals:

Tiffany Maloney, Owner
Studio in between 9th and 8th in Old Town Beaumont.
2481 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, TX 77702
409.454.3977
loveyogabeaumont.com

Tell Tiffany, Gail sent you!

Yoga Study, shows stretching help lower back pain

2011-10-26T15:54:00.001-05:00

People who suffer chronic lower back pain saw about the same improvement after taking yoga classes taught by highly trained teachers as they did from stretching classes, said a US study Monday.

The findings, described by authors as the largest US randomized trial on yoga to date, appear in the October 24 issue of the Archives on Internal Medicine, a journal of the American Medical Association.

"We found yoga classes more effective than a self-care book -- but no more effective than stretching classes," said lead study author Karen Sherman, a senior investigator at Group Health Research Institute in Seattle.

"We expected back pain to ease more with yoga than with stretching, so our findings surprised us," she said.

The same group of researchers conducted a smaller trial in 2005 based on a randomized sample of 101 adults. That study suggested yoga was the best remedy for back pain because those who practiced it used fewer pain relievers and had better back function.

The latest data is derived from a sample of 228 people across six cities in the western state of Washington, and while it showed a slight lead by the yoga class, the difference was not enough to matter statistically.

The subjects were assigned to 12 weekly classes that lasted 75 minutes each.

The yoga was a type known as viniyoga, which features poses adapted for the individual condition of those in the class, breathing exercises and a deep relaxation period. Classes were taught by instructors with more than 500 hours of training.

The stretch classes were taught by licensed physical therapists with teaching experience and two hours of training in techniques that focused on the trunk, legs, hamstrings and hips. Some strengthening exercises were also included.

The third group was given a self-care book called "The Back Pain Helpbook" to read for tips on alleviating pain.

"Back-related dysfunction declined over time in all groups," the study said, noting that compared to the handbook group, the yoga group reported superior function at 12 and 26 weeks.

The stretching group reported superior function at six, 12 and 26 weeks. At no point in the follow-up analysis was there a statistically meaningful difference between the stretching and yoga groups.

"The most straightforward interpretation of our findings would be that yoga's benefits on back function and symptoms were largely physical, due to the stretching and strengthening of muscles," Sherman said.

She also acknowledged that the stretching classes were longer and more intense than those typically offered at neighborhood gyms, so the trial may have been inadvertently comparing two very similar exercise methods.

"Our results suggest that both yoga and stretching can be good, safe options for people who are willing to try physical activity to relieve their moderate low back pain," she said.

"But it's important for the classes to be therapeutically oriented, geared for beginners, and taught by instructors who can modify postures for participants' individual physical limitations."

A separate study released earlier this year suggested yoga can lower stress and improve quality of life among breast cancer patients.

Another research team found that regular yoga practice by cardiac patients was able to cut irregular heartbeat episodes in half.

Also see Science Daily article for more details!

Archives of Internal Medicine Article as follows:

ONLINE FIRST
A Randomized Trial Comparing Yoga, Stretching, and a Self-care Book for Chronic Low Back Pain Karen J. Sherman, PhD, MPH; Daniel C. Cherkin, PhD; Robert D. Wellman, MS; Andrea J. Cook, PhD; Rene J. Hawkes, BS; Kristin Delaney, MPH; Richard A. Deyo, MD, MPH

Arch Intern Med. Published online October 24, 2011. doi:10.1001/archinternmed.2011.524
Background Chronic low back pain is a common problem lacking highly effective treatment options. Small trials suggest that yoga may have benefits for this condition. This trial was designed to determine whether yoga is more effective than conventional stretching exercises or a self-care book for primary care patients with chronic low back pain.

Methods A total of 228 adults with chronic low back pain were randomized to 12 weekly classes of yoga (92 patients) or conventional stretching exercises (91 patients) or a self-care book (45 patients). Back-related functional status (modified Roland Disability Questionnaire, a 23-point scale) and bothersomeness of pain (an 11-point numerical scale) at 12 weeks were the primary outcomes. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, 6, 12, and 26 weeks by interviewers unaware of treatment group.

Results After adjustment for baseline values, 12-week outcomes for the yoga group were superior to those for the self-care group (mean difference for function, –2.5 [95% CI, –3.7 to –1.3]; P < .001; mean difference for symptoms, –1.1 [95% CI, –1.7 to –0.4]; P < .001). At 26 weeks, function for the yoga group remained superior (mean difference, –1.8 [95% CI, –3.1 to –0.5]; P < .001). Yoga was not superior to conventional stretching exercises at any time point.

Conclusion Yoga classes were more effective than a self-care book, but not more effective than stretching classes, in improving function and reducing symptoms due to chronic low back pain, with benefits lasting at least several months.

Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00447668

RestoraFlow Yoga. Sequences to help ease upper and lower back pain by Sara Varona

2011-09-24T08:08:00.000-05:00

Sara Varona, of BuildYourYogaBusiness.com created this sequence to assist in easing your lower and upper back pain. She gave me permission to post it on my display at my recent Yoga Booth at a Health Fair.

She also shows on her website, the different things that she does in helping a client in their private yoga practice. Here is her video listed at the end of this specific ezine going through the poses pictured on the right.

I took lots of notes, taught these sequences to my various yoga classes, and people noticed how much better their backs felt after going through the sequences. It is a 40 minute google video, to get your pen an pencil ready, take notes, practice and come back and back to this wonderful sequence of yoga poses.

The model in the photos is one of my daughters. She is in the process of training to be a yoga teacher. She is already a wonderful Ballet teacher. She has also taught tap, modern, jazz and creative dance.

Enjoy!

Gaileee

Yoga brings unlikely yogis - article from the Port Arthur Newspaper

2011-09-11T12:10:00.003-05:00

September 8, 2011

Port Arthur News article about.....Yoga brings unlikely yogis

Brandon Janes The Port Arthur News

NEDERLAND — At the end her class, Nederland yoga instructor Gail Pickens-Barger asks her students to mediate on how they are unique and “there is nobody like you in the universe.”

Her students suffer from multiple sclerosis, a chronic, unpredictable disease that effects the central nervous system, and none of their symptoms are exactly the same.

Some of her students experience episodes extreme numbness in their limbs.

“It is as if you put a giant foam block around your leg or foot,” Pickens-Barger said.

For some, the disease effects their balance or, in Crystal Chauvin’s case, a day-long jolt of electric pain down her cheek.

All of the students seem to share in one thing: The relief and relaxation of yoga.

“It helps me move better, helps me balance,” said Becky Dry, who has dealt with the disease for much of her life.

“The class helps us get through the day,” added Dry. “I’m ok now but tomorrow I may not.”

Approximately 400,000 Americans suffer from multiple sclerosis and every week 200 more people are diagnosed with the disease, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

There is no known cause or cure for MS. It is only fatal in extreme cases.

MS adaptive yoga is done in chairs for safety but, as Pickens-Barger points out, it can still make you sweat.

“Keep it between easy and ouch,” Pickens-Barger said during one of the stretches. “Far, far away from ouch.”

Pickens-Barger just got back from a two week long chair-yoga training in New York City, where she learned new techniques to allow her students to access the benefits of yoga without completely exhausting their bodies.

One of the biggest problems for people who suffer from MS is balance. Most of the students use a cane or a walker to get from one place to another.

The yoga techniques are designed to strengthen a person’s core muscles which help them balance whether they are sitting down or standing up.

Just as important as the benefits of the exercise and strength-building, is the sense of community and friendship the class brings to each other’s lives.

“It’s a support group also,” said Pickens-Barger.

Lonestar National MS society sponsors the class as well as a 180-mile bike ride from Houston to Austin for cyclists living with multiple sclerosis.

The yoga classes take place every Tuesday at 10 a.m. at the Wesley United Methodist Church in Nederland, and the local branch of the Multiple Sclerosis society meets the first Saturday of every month at 11 a.m. at the Medical Center in Port Arthur.

bjanes@panews.com

Gaileee's - Inhale Yoga Music List - Steve Ross - -

2011-09-06T10:49:00.000-05:00

Looks like Inhale Yoga has been temporarily taken off the Oxygen channel. Last time this happened, it took a year and a half for Oxygen to get all the music rights to get the program back on Oxygen. And when that happened, it seemed to be that not all the Inhale Yoga programs came back on....only about two-thirds of the originals came back. It is my understanding that there were 33 programs done back in 2000/2001/2002.

So I had been introduced to Steve Ross, of the Inhale Oxygen show back in the early 2000 by one of my friends. I was thinking, oh, this is hard (for me)! I really liked the music, and wanted to make my own music list from the music off of the show. At one point in time, the song titles and artist's names were listed at the bottom of the screen during the Inhale Show. I taped the shows a lot at that time, and created my list of music from the show.

Steve Ross played guitar for Fleetwood Mac back in the day, and also for the Australian band, "Men at Work". Lots of good guitar licks in this music playlist. If you know of others to add to this list, please post a comment!

Here is my Steve Ross Inhale Yoga Music List.

Mustang Sally - Commitment
Revolution - Kirk Franklin
I’ll take you there - Staple Sisters
Supersititions - Stevie Wonder
Love and Happiness - Al Green
I Wish - Stevie Wonder
Ain’t Nobody - Chaka Kahn
I Believe -Sounds of Blackness
Come Away with Me - Norah Jones
Let the River Run - Carly Simon
Got to be Real - Cheryl Lynn
Waking Dreams Meditation -Yoga/Reiki Relaxation. 6:15 slow
If I ever loose my faith - Sting (Unplugged)
If I ever loose my faith - Sting slow
Mercy, Mercy - Marvin Gaye
Hoi Doi - Yulara slow
Aliens soundtrack
A Thousand Years - Sting slow
Five for fighting superman - Dave Mattews (fly song)
Makambo - Geoffrey Oryema - (ending music) slow
Creep - TLC (funky slow warm up)
Vise Versa Love - Barrington Levy (slow warm up)
Angel Love / Devotion - Aeoliah Meditation (slow)
Teacher - Barrington Levy (funky fast)
Stomp - Kirk Franklin (funky fast)
WaterMark - Enya (slow)
Sing a Song - Take 6 (fast)
2/2 Music for Airports - Brian Eno (slow)
Standing outside a broken phonebooth - ?
You’ve got the Best of My Love - Emotions
Rock with You Mix - Brandy
Fields of Gold - Sting
If I could change the world - Eric Clapton and with Baby Face
Change the world - Eric Clapton
My Fathers Eyes - Eric Clapton
My Fathers Eyes - Eric Clapton acoustic
Shy Guy - Diane King (Reggie Mix )
Fields of Gold - Sting Acoustic
Sexual Healing - Marvin Gaye (Bolton maybe sings this on the show?)
Let’s Stay together - Al Green
When the lights gone out - Ziggy Marley
First Light - Brian Eno
Ain’t to proud to beg - Temptations
The vanishing breed - Robbie Robertson
Happy Ever After - Julia Fordham (Added 2/2010)
I'm Coming Out - Diana Ross
Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia) by Us3 (Added 9/2011)

Please post a comment if you've enjoyed having this list. Thank you.
Thanks Y'all! Gaileee

Get Fit While You Sit - Chair Yoga

2011-08-22T09:02:00.000-05:00

Chair Yoga, Chair Yoga Fitness, Chair Yoga Exercises, Chair Yoga Poses – Get Fit Where You Sit ™

www.getfitwhereyousit.com

Chair Yoga, Chair Yoga Fitness, Chair Yoga Exercises, poses and workout is an ideal health program for seniors, elderly and people of all ages to become fit and healthy utilizing adapative yoga exercises developed for sitting in, on a chair.

This is the training I took in NYC this past week. Awesome training. Will be using a lot of the things I learned in the training to use in the MS Yoga class that I teach!

Seven benefits of yoga for people with either type of MS.

2011-07-19T08:41:00.000-05:00

Adaptive Yoga for MS.
Discover how to:

Reduce fatigue
Improve range of motion
Reduce spasticity
Strengthen
Coordinate
Improve balance
Raise confidence and general calmness through Yoga.

Three myths about back pain (yoga helps!)

2011-07-17T11:57:00.001-05:00

NOT a myth: Stretching can help prevent those aches.

Not true.
Not true.
Not true.
Three myths about back pain (HealthSmart Advice from The Doctors)

BACK PAIN afflicts eight out of 10 Americans at some point in their lives, yet surveys show most people are misinformed about pain and its treatment. Here we set the record straight on three common myths:

Working out makes it worse. It may be last on your list when you're hurting, but exercise is actually one of the best way to both ease and prevent back pain. Your doctor can recommend gentle exercises to strengthen your back and abdominal muscles, increase your flexibility and improve your posture. Ask about yoga, too -- research shows it's especially effective at reducing chronic low back pain. And to prevent back pain, stick to a regular routine that includes resistance exercises, stretching and low-impact aerobics, such as walking or swimming.
Surgery is your best bet. The rate of complex spine surgeries for simple back pain jumped fifteenfold in just five years, but there's little evidence of a benefit, says research recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Ninety percent of people with back pain will get better without treatment or with conservative treatments for four to six weeks. Experts suggest trying non-invasive options first, such as physical therapy (yoga), exercise or medication.
Mind-set doesn't matter. Back pain is a physical condition, but how you think about it can absolutely affect how well you manage it. Focus on the bad -- how much it hurts, what you can't do -- and you may hurt more. Shift your thinking, and studies show it may ease your pain.

The DOCTORS is an Emmy-winning daytime TV show with pediatrician, Jim Sears, OB-GYN Lisa Masterson, ER physician Travis Stork and plastic surgeon Andrew Ordon. USA WEEKEND, April 1-3, 2011

Yoga and Adaptive Yoga for MS - Beaumont and Nederland Texas

2011-07-10T12:06:00.001-05:00

Each week, on Tuesday, I conduct a adaptive yoga class for those with MS. Not only are we doing yoga, to help the MS symptoms, but there is a lot of sharing of what works for people with MS. It is a great chance to talk to others, and share their own personal knowledge of their journey with MS.

The class is sponsored by the National MS Society, and is free of charge for those with MS and similar neurological symptoms. Tuesdays, at 10 a.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church, 3515 Helena Avenue, Nederland, Texas. Care givers are also welcomed to attend the class.

The local self help support group for MS (sponsored by the National MS Society) meets during the school year (September through June) at Health South Rehab in Beaumont Texas, on the second Saturday of the month. When there isn't a regularly scheduled speaker, Adaptive Chair Yoga for MS is additionally offered to those who come to the meeting. Meeting usually starts around 10 am, with the yoga starting around 10:30/10:45am. People bring lite snacks for a lite lunch afterwards. Great sharing and caring going on during these meetings.

The Lone Star Chapter of the National MS Society, sponsors both the yoga classes and the self support group. More information and contact information can be found at: http://www.nationalmssociety.org/chapters/TXH/index.aspx

You Don't Have To Bend Like A Pretzel To Do Yoga!

Adaptive Yoga for MS teacher, Gail Pickens-Barger

Practicing Yoga Has Long-Term Benefits, Study Finds

2011-07-06T16:21:00.001-05:00

Practicing Yoga Has Long-Term Benefits, Study Finds

By Kelsey Cipolla, contributing writer ClubIndustry.com

Long-term yoga practitioners experience less joint pain and fewer headaches, according to a new George Washington University study.

Presented at the 58th Annual Meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine and Second World Congress on Exercise is Medicine, the study shows that yoga offers long-term health benefits that cardiovascular exercise and weight training do not.

“We surveyed the participants on psychological well-being, as measured by anxiety, depression, coping, mindfulness, perceived stress and general health symptoms,” said Brittanie DeChino, lead researcher.

The 163 participants from the Washington, DC, area included regular exercisers and long-time yoga practitioners. Researchers found that while both groups reported similar levels of depression and anxiety, the yogis had higher scores for mindfulness and coping skills and lower levels of stress.

Article from July YogaFit Newsletter

Yoga for Small Spaces by Christine Ristuccia & LynnC Geddes-RYTs & illustrator Charles Beryl

2011-06-19T19:01:00.000-05:00

The folks over at Addriya (Yoga * Learning * Wellness) www.addriya.com have a great product. I just recently received my Yoga for Small Spaces Deck of Cards by Christine Ristuccia, RYT & Lynn Geddes, RYT, Illustrated by Charles Beryl. Targeted toward kids, I believe, but I think I'm going to use them also for my Adaptive Yoga for MS class. There are illustrations and descriptions of doing yoga in the chair, and some other yoga poses, that can easily adapt to in the chair too!

According to the insert in the box, Yoga for Small Spaces deck was originally designed to use in the classroom, where space, time and resources for equipment are in short supply. It also goes and talks about that, one of the most important aspects of yoga is that is does NOT have to be done in a studio or on a mat. Yoga can be done virtually anywhere with results obtained in as short as one minute.

The insert goes on to say that everyone can do yoga, even those with special needs or those who are non-ambulatory. Many of the poses are done seated or can be modified for use while seated, which makes these cards extremely adaptive. Yes! I can visualize this with my MS folks.

I got a little bonus by purchasing these cards, as they are going to work in my YogaKiddo classes that are being held at the YMCA, and in my National MS Society sponsored Adaptive Yoga Class. We do most of our poses seated in the chair, or behind the chair, and we do a variation of Peggy Cappy's (Yoga for the Rest of Us PBS fame) Sun Salutation series with the chair. The only thing I don't see in the deck is plank/cobra with the chair. That would complete the Sun Salutation series with the chair. A great new resource to use in your classes! Love it!

<3 Gaileee

Multiple Sclerosis Yoga - Nederland/Beaumont Texas

2011-06-11T11:08:00.001-05:00

Every Tuesday at 10 a.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church, 3515 Helena Avenue, Nederland Texas, The National MS Society sponsors a free Adaptive Yoga class for those who have MS and their support people.

Additionally the MS Adaptive Yoga class is taught every 2nd Saturday at 10:45 a.m. at Beaumont's Self Help Support Group for MS, held at the Health South Rehab center in Beaumont Texas (unless there is a scheduled speaker).

Join Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher, Gail Pickens-Barger for an hour long class. This adaptive, gentle yoga class is a great way to add exercise into your life as well as the added benefit of meeting new people living with MS.

Yoga classes focus on movement and breathing-this will help to increase your muscle tone, and improve balance, coordination and overall body control. We hope to see you soon. This class is offered exclusively for people living with MS and is free of charge. Call Gail Pickens-Barger at 409 - 727 - 3177 or email gaileee@yahoo.com for more information.

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Yoga Reduces Fatigue In Multiple Sclerosis Patients, OHSU Study Finds

Wesley UMC, 3515 Helena Avenue, Nederland, Texas 77627

ScienceDaily (June 10, 2004) — PORTLAND, Ore. -- Just six months of yoga significantly reduces fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis, but it has no effect on alertness and cognitive function, says a new Oregon Health & Science University study.

The study, published June 8 in the journal Neurology, found that yoga is as good as a traditional aerobic exercise program in improving measures of fatigue, a common and potentially disabling symptom of MS. It was the first randomized, controlled trial of yoga in people with MS.

A parallel study by the same OHSU authors, presented in April at the 56th annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology, found that cognitive function does not improve among healthy seniors in a six-month yoga program or exercise class, but physical health and quality of life appear to be enhanced.

The MS study was not designed to determine the impact of yoga on the disease itself, said the study's lead author, Barry Oken, M.D., professor of neurology and behavioral neuroscience in the OHSU School of Medicine. Rather, it was intended to determine the effect of yoga and aerobic exercise on cognitive function, fatigue, mood and quality of life among people with MS.

"There are some claims out there that yoga helps MS itself, that it can decrease the number of lesions" in the brain caused by MS, said Oken, director of the Oregon Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Neurological Disorders (ORCCAMIND) at OHSU. "I'm not sure that that's not the case, because stress may have an impact on MS. But that was not what we were trying to show."

Study co-author Dennis Bourdette, M.D., professor of neurology in the OHSU School of Medicine and director of the Multiple Sclerosis Center of Oregon, said yoga was studied because many people with MS already are using it and reporting benefits.

"We wanted to see whether or not it was beneficial when studied scientifically and how it compared with a type of exercise that physicians are more comfortable recommending -- exercise on a stationary bicycle supervised by a physical therapist," said Bourdette, chairman of the School of Medicine's Department of Neurology and associate director of ORCCAMIND.

An earlier survey of nearly 2,000 MS patients in Oregon and southwest Washington found about 30 percent of respondents tried yoga. Of those, 57 percent reported it to be "very beneficial," Bourdette noted. Indeed, many chapters of the National MS Society sponsor yoga programs.

"So it is used fairly commonly, and I believe with publication of our results it will gain even more acceptance and use," he said. The study "also clearly demonstrates that yoga postures can be modified for use among people with MS who have disabilities caused by their condition and that yoga can be done safely and effectively."

The study examined 69 MS patients in three groups: one taking weekly Iyengar yoga classes along with home practice; another taking a weekly exercise class using a stationary bicycle along with home exercise; and a third group placed on a waiting list to serve as a control. Participants were monitored for attention, alertness, mood, anxiety, fatigue and overall quality of life.

The yoga classes were offered once a week for 90 minutes. Participants were taught up to 19 poses, each held for 10 seconds to 30 seconds with rest periods of 30 seconds to a minute. They also performed breathing exercises to promote concentration and relaxation, as well as progressive relaxation, visualization and meditation techniques. And daily home practice was strongly encouraged.

The MS study's aerobic exercise component was similar to the yoga intervention, with one class per week plus home exercise. It consisted of bicycling on recumbent or dual-action stationary bicycles, and each class began and ended with about five minutes of stretching. Participants were given exercise bikes to use at home and were encouraged to use them outside of the weekly class.

While the yoga and aerobic exercise programs produced no significant changes in alertness, attention or other measures of cognitive function in MS patients compared with the waiting-list group, the study found there were improvements in two fatigue measurement tests.

"We think they're equally beneficial for symptoms of fatigue from MS," Oken said of yoga and aerobic exercise.

The study cautioned that the reasons behind the reduction in MS fatigue symptoms are unclear. The socialization aspect of the yoga and exercise classes, as well as a placebo effect -- simply telling participants that the exercise program was specifically designed to improve psychological well-being -- could be credited.

Yoga is a type of so-called mind-body medicine that includes tai-chi, meditation, and dance, music and art therapy. It is a commonly practiced method involving behavioral, psychological, social and spiritual approaches to health, and it is centered around meditation, breathing and postures.

Of the active or hatha yoga techniques, Iyengar yoga is the most common type practiced in the United States. Participants assume a series of stationary positions that employ isometric contraction and relaxation of different muscle groups to create specific body alignments. There also is a relaxation component.

"I see it mostly as a kind of physical activity with a stress-reduction component and body awareness features," Oken said of yoga. "It has this aspect of bringing your attention to the present moment. But it's hard to know if that's due to relaxation or getting your mind not to worry for a little bit."

Whatever the workout method, exercise seems to help MS patients reduce fatigue symptoms, Bourdette said.
"This is true whether the regular exercise is yoga, swimming, using a stationary bicycle or any other physical activity," he said. "Sometimes the effects are quite dramatic and other times less so. But everyone with MS who exercises regularly reports benefit."

The parallel study on the effects of yoga and exercise on healthy seniors focused on 136 participants aged 65 to 85. It showed there were some improvements in physical measures, such as cardiovascular fitness, and quality-of-life measures, such as energy and fatigue.

There was no improvement in measures of cognitive function, however, compared with a waiting-list control group.

"I was hoping to show some cognitive benefit, but the main benefit was a decrease in fatigue and higher energy levels," Oken explained. "I think those relative benefits are only going to be seen over quite a long period of time. In healthy people, it's probably going to be a fairly subtle effect."

Both studies were funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Relaxation done in the chair.

Adaptive Chair Yoga for MS at Wesley United Methodist Church, 3515 Helena Avenue, Nederland, Texas 77627. Sponsored by the National MS Society, free for attendees and their support people. 10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.

Additionally the Adaptive Chair Yoga class is taught every 2nd Saturday at 10:45 a.m. at Beaumont's Self Help Support Group for MS, held at the Health South Rehab center in Beaumont Texas (unless there is a scheduled speaker).

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Adaptive Yoga for those with
Multiple Sclerosis

Instructor Gail Pickens-Barger is a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists and the Yoga Alliance, and is sponsored by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
She is certified at the 200-hour experience registered yoga teacher level and specializes
in Adaptive Yoga for Multiple Sclerosis.
For more information, contact Gail Pickens-Barger at 409-727-3177 or gaileee@yahoo.com .

“The only authentic yoga is the one that works for each person according to circumstances and needs, and there are many possibilities.” T.K.V. Desikachar

1 comments:

B. Burleson said...: Great article! I wish Yoga did enhance cognitive ability. Betty Burleson

ScienceDaily reports: Yoga Reduces Fatigue In Multiple Sclerosis Patients, OHSU Study Finds

2011-06-05T18:33:00.000-05:00

Yoga Reduces Fatigue In Multiple Sclerosis Patients, OHSU Study Finds

Hot Flashes and Yoga!

2011-06-03T11:45:00.006-05:00

Are you having hot flashes? Heart palpitations? Maybe yoga can help. I know I'm going to start doing this sequence as recommended by De-Stress Yoga with Mimi, and from "The Women's Book of Yoga & Health" by Linda Sparrowe and Patricia Walden, to help me with my issues. Here are the sequences.

Bound Angle Pose (Seated Butterfly). May be upon a block or folded blanket. This pose increases circulation to your abdomen and pelvis, toning and improving function in your reproductive organs. Stay in the pose about a minute.
Wide-Angle Seated Pose I (Seated Letter "V" Legs). Legs wide apart, flex feet, may be upon a block or folded blanket. This pose helps increase circulation to your pelvis, stimulate and improve circulation to your ovaries, and lift and tone your uterus. Stay in the pose about a minute.
Head on Knee Pose. Seated, bring right leg to the inside of the left leg, hinge forward, optional place chair at the end of the right leg, hinge forward, placing forearms on the seat of a chair. Stay in the pose 1-2 minutes, switch sides. This pose helps revitalize your adrenal glands, which can help mitigate hot flashes.
Wide-Angle Standing Forward Bend. Standing, bring feet wide, hinge forward, with a blanket folded place your head upon the blanket as you hang upside down. Stay in the pose one minute. Great inversion! This pose helps calm your mind and relieve the stress that can cause hot flashes.
Downward Facing Dog. With a folded blanket or block to rest your head upon. Try this pose to relieve anxiety, tone and relax your nervous system, and to relieve hot flashes.
Headstand. Only do this one, if it is already a part of your practice and you can so the headstand safely. This pose helps stimulate blood flow to your brain. Many women find standing on their heads helps relieve hot flashes. Do this one caution, especially if you already have neck or back problems.
Shoulderstand. Only do this one if it is already a part of your practice.Caution, if you suffer neck or back problems, skip this one. This pose is calming and soothing for your nervous system and excellent for relieving hot flashes.
Half-Plough pose. Again, with caution, and no, if you have neck/back issues. This pose helops calm anxiety and nervousness and relieve hot flashes.
Bridge Pose with a bolster/folded blanket under the back and hips, and a bolster/folded blanket underneath the feet. This pose is great if you're trying to cool down your hot flashes and re-balance your thyroid and parathyroid glands.
Reclined Butterfly (Reclined Bound Angle Pose). Bolsters underneath the low back, running up the spine and past the head. Optionally binding the legs with a yoga strap. This pose is comforting, cooling, and supporting when you have hot flashes.
Legs Up the Wall Pose. If you experience a jittery feeling with your hot flashes, this pose may be all you need to feel more balanced and in control. Remain in this position, breathing normally for 3 to 5 minutes.
Corpse Pose. Final Relaxation. Close your eyes and let everything relax. Visualize heat rising up and out of you with every breath you take. An eyebag draped over your eyes will help quiet external distractions. Remain in this pose for 10 minutes, breathing normally.


1. Bound Angle pose (Butter fly) - Rachel my second oldest.

2. Wide Angle Seated Pose I - Grace my youngest.

3. Seated Forward Bend with a chair.

4. Wide-Angle Standing Forward Bend.
With a block or pillow/blanket to actively rest your head

5. Downward Facing Dog.

7. Shoulderstand in its
traditional format. Can be done
with a chair

8. Half Plough Pose. Can be done
with chairs/bolsters.

9. Bridge Pose. With Bolsters
underneath the hips/legs and feet

10. Reclined Butterfly Pose

11. Legs Up the Wall Pose

12. Corpse Pose.

Yoga for MS, Tuesdays at 10 a.m. at Wesley UMC/Nederland Texas

2011-05-22T12:27:00.001-05:00

Adaptive Chair Yoga for MS at Wesley United Methodist Church, 3515 Helena Avenue, Nederland, Texas 77627. Sponsored by the National MS Society, free for attendees and their support people. 10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.

Adaptive Yoga for MS at Health South, Beaumont, Sat., May 14th at 11 a.m.

2011-05-13T20:07:00.000-05:00

Saturday, at 11 a.m. at Health South, off of I-10, Beaumont Tx.

Teaching Adaptive Yoga for Multiple Sclerosis, Saturday at 11 a.m. at Health South cafeteria in Beaumont Texas. Right after the Beaumont Self Help MS Group meeting. Incorporating physical, social, spiritual & emotional health and promoting wellness of mind, body and spirit.

National MS Society sponsored Yoga Teacher, Gail Pickens-Barger, E-RYT.

Dr Oz's Top 10 Daily Essentials!! Love his show!

2011-05-09T15:19:00.000-05:00

To make life simpler, Dr. Oz has whittled down his top 10 daily essentials, starting at number 10 and building toward the single most important thing you need to do on a daily basis to achieve optimal health.

Dr. Oz’s Top 10 Daily Essentials

10. Eat a Hard-boiled Egg

Eggs are protein powerhouses that provide 13% of your daily protein and only 4% of your daily calories. These excellent, inexpensive protein sources fight frailty. Rich in choline, they also reduce inflammation in the brain, which has been linked to Alzheimer’s. Cook up a week’s worth in advance and take them with you on the go. If you’re not a fan of hard-boiled eggs, eat one a day scrambled, poached or any other way you like it.

9. Check Your Poop

First, your poop should never appear white. If this occurs, it could mean lack of bile, indicating a blockage or a problem with absorption. Second, keep in mind that the range for bowel movement occurrence is very broad – anywhere from 3 times a week to multiple times a day is considered normal.

8. Make Vegetables Half of Every Single Meal

Vegetables are chockfull of vital nutrients and most of us do not get enough of them. Make them half of every single meal. Get your veggies in the morning by tossing them into an omelet. At lunch and dinner, eat more veggie-based salads and soups; divide your plate into two halves with your main course, say chicken or fish, taking up one side and vegetables the other. Click here for more suggestions on getting more vegetables into each of your meals.

7. Take Half Multivitamin in the Morning and the Other Half at Night

A multivitamin serves as an insurance policy, guaranteeing your body gets everything it needs. However, your body can’t absorb all these nutrients at once, and you wind up eliminating a portion of them via your urine or bowel movements. To maximize absorption, split your multivitamin in two and take half in the morning and half in the evening. Better yet, try and purchase a brand that offers a daily dosage in various pills. Click here for Dr. Oz's Ultimate Supplement Checklist.

6: Supplement With a Bone-Boosting Cocktail

To protect your bones, a multivitamin is not enough. You need a bone-boosting cocktail comprised of:

    Vitamin D3, 1000 IU
    Calcium, 600 mg
    Magnesium, 400 mg

Today, most drugstores now sell this combination all in one pill, and here’s why you need all three combined: Vitamin D aids calcium absorption to keep bones strong. Magnesium also counteracts blood vessel constriction and constipation caused by calcium.

5. Get at Least 7 Hours of Sleep

A brand new study shows that people who don’t get enough sleep are not as sharp the next day and most alarmingly, they don’t even realize it. Here are 4 ways to help you sleep better and get to sleeper faster:

    * Read a book before bed. Reading acts as a soothing balm that helps you fall asleep.
    * Instead of an overhead light, which stimulates the brain to wake up, use a reading light.
    * Turn your alarm clock away from view so it won’t stimulate the brain’s pineal gland, which senses light.
    * Use an eye mask to keep light out and increase sleep quality.

4. Have Sex

You already know that a healthy sex life with your partner helps you stay bonded and also provides a good workout. Now a new study shows that sex is also good for your brain, leading to improved interconnections in the brain and stress reduction.

3.Breathe and Stretch for 5 Minutes

Five minutes of breathing and stretching each day creates a powerful stress buster that can add years to your life. When you wake up in the morning, try the “hippie” stretch: Reach down and try to touch your toes. Relax your hips and let your head go loose. Now alternate relaxing your left and right knees and walk around a bit. Close your eyes and focus on your breathing. Five minutes later, you’re loosened up and good to go. For Dr. Oz's 7-Minute Workout.

2. Eliminate Simple Sugars

Simple sugars are the reason behind America’s obesity epidemic. If it’s white or processed, you need to eliminate it. In addition, practice reading labels and avoid products containing “hidden sugars” such as high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), evaporated cane juice and brown rice sugar. For a list of the other foods you should elimate, click here.

1. Sit Less, Move More

Groundbreaking research shows that for every hour a day you spend sitting, your risk of death increases by 11%. Even small movements throughout the day, such as fidgeting, can add up to major health benefits. Dr. Oz recommends getting 10,000 steps a day. To do this, invest in a pedometer so you can keep track of each step you make toward optimal health.   Here is Dr Oz's 7 minute Yoga explanation!!

Be in YogaFit's Newest Ad Campaign! Nothing gets between me and my mat

2011-05-08T18:12:00.000-05:00

Be in YogaFit's Newest Ad Campaign!

Be part of Yoga Fit's New Advertising Campaign!

YogaFit is looking for a variety of YogaFit schooled instructors & students to be part of our exciting Media Campaign.

We are looking for people of all ages, sizes and backgrounds to be featured in Our NEW Nothing gets between me and my mat campaign
To qualify please send your photo, bio and HOW YogaFit has changed your life along with WHY noting gets between you and your mat.

Send photo & bio via email only to :response@yogafit.com Subject line: Nothing Gets Between Me and My Mat *

Exercise During Pregnancy ImageTips from "Desperate Housewives" Actress and Experienced Yoga Practitioner Brenda Strong

2011-05-08T12:14:00.000-05:00

Exercise During Pregnancy

Tips from "Desperate Housewives" Actress and Experienced Yoga Practitioner Brenda Strong

Doing Yoga while I was pregnant was the best gift I could give to myself and to my son. Studies have shown that doing certain exercises while pregnant helps to increase the Apgar scores of newborns. The theory is, the healthier the mom, the healthier the child. Making smart whole food choices (avoiding preservatives and over processed foods eating organic when possible), getting rest and reducing your stress all contribute to a healthier environment for your baby. Yoga also plays a big part in reducing physical and emotional stress, keeping your body healthy and preparing for the rigors of labor and being a new mom.

When we are pregnant, our body changes its distribution of weight to support the growing baby, resulting in tension in these areas:

Shoulders and upper back due to extra weight you are carrying in you breasts
Lower back due to the extra weight you are carrying in your belly
Legs and feet due to the extra weight you are carrying in your whole body

If you don't have time to get to a prenatal yoga class, I have provided some great yoga poses for pregnant women that are excellent for relieving stress in the most common areas on Brenda's website.

I purchased and used Brenda's Yoga 4 Fertility DVD back when I was trying to get pregnant with Grace (as a mid-forties mom). I can just imagine Brenda's Pregnancy DVD is going to be good too! <3 Gaileee

Presidental Active Lifestyle Award Promotion - YogaFit

2011-05-07T15:11:00.001-05:00

YogaFit Partners with President’s Challenge Program to Promote the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award (PALA).

Join YogaFit’s Group today!
Be entered to win a Level 1 training!
To earn your PALA, all you have to do is exercise 30 minutes/day (youth 60 minutes/day), 5 days/week for 6 out of 8 weeks.

You can either log your exercise online or by filling out a paper log.
Find out more information by clicking here!

Visionary Women in Fitness Scholarship - YogaFit

2011-05-05T09:00:00.000-05:00

Visionary Women in Fitness Scholarship
YogaFit is proud to announce it is offering a Visionary Women in Fitness Scholarship to young ladies who show excellence in community service and promote these ideals in others in the community. A panel will be reviewing all submissions including judges from YogaFit, PALA, ACE, and Social Compassion.

There will be five young ladies chosen for this scholarship who will be receiving Level 1 & 2 Trainings, $200 worth of books and DVD's, and be entered to win advanced level trainings. Also, those chosen will be entered to win a role as a participant in YogaFit's upcoming Tween DVD.

Eligibility:
Must be a young woman, between the ages of 11-14, who show potential for excellence in community service and promote these ideals to others in their community. Whether it is volunteering at a senior citizen's home, reading to the blind, or devoting their spare time at a local animal shelter.....

Please submit a 10 minute video of you doing community service and a one-page essay of how you are promoting these ideals in your community. Send submissions to response@yogafit.com with the subject line: Visionary Women Scholarship.

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YogaFit® May Enthusiasts Newsletter News! Commonly Asked Questions and How to Answer Them:

2011-05-03T15:03:00.002-05:00

COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND HOW TO ANSWER THEM:
1. What is YogaFit^® and how is it different than “traditional yoga?”

YogaFit^® is specially designed for fitness environments and health club participants. All physical yoga is hatha yoga. Hatha means “hot and cold” balance, and yoga means to join or to “yoke.” YogaFit^® is modern fitness yoga that intertwines fitness moves with basic yoga postures in a heat building and flowing sequence leading to relaxing stretches and a 10 minute rest. The fitness environment provides many challenges that can be overcome with the YogaFit^® style:

Most health clubrooms are cold and air-conditioned – The YogaFit^®style heats the body sufficiently through its heat-building flow, which then creates a safer, more effective environment for the participants. This gradual heat-building helps reduce incidence of injury.
In a health club setting, there is a constant flow of new people mixed with regular students. The YogaFit^® style allows the instructor to challenge the more seasoned students while creating a safe, accessible workout for the newer students at the same time.

2. Are certain yoga poses contradictory to general Exercise guidelines?
The practice of yoga has been around for 6000 years, which is much longer than aerobics. Therefore, we wouldn’t expect yoga to fit neatly into the aerobic guidelines. If we look closely, though, we see that the practice of yoga contains the five components of fitness: Cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, muscular strength, muscular endurance and body composition. If a student finds that he/she is uncomfortable with any pose, there are always options or variations of that pose to consider. Inversions can always be taught with the option of legs up the wall pose. The Special Conditions section of the Level 1 manual contains more specific information for different populations of students.

3. How do I receive my Level 1 certificate?
Upon completion of the initial Level 1 training, trainees are required to teach 8 hours of community service classes to a group of people that are not currently being served by the Yoga community; i.e. seniors, children, people with disabilities, cancer patients, those living in homeless shelters, corporate executives, etc. Trainees then need to submit the Certificate Request Form found in the Level 1 Manual along with two letters: 1) a letter on letterhead from the organization where the 8 hours of community service were completed verifying the dates/times that the classes took place and 2) a personal letter detailing the community service experience.

The Certificate Request Form and two letters should be mailed to:
YogaFit Training Systems
Attn: Certificate Processing
2321 Torrance Blvd.
Torrance, CA 90501

4. How can I use the name YogaFit^®for my club’s classes:
For licensing information contact:
Loraine Rodriguez
E-mail: sales@yogafit.comPhone: 310-320-0110 ext 225

5. How do I become a trainer for YogaFit^®?
Becoming a YogaFit® Trainer begins by proceeding through a well-structured Apprentice Program. In order to be considered for this program, one must meet the following minimum criteria:

Must have RYT 200 through YogaFit^® Training Systems.
Must have a minimum of 5 years of vinyasa yoga teaching experience.
Must reside within 1 hour from a major metropolitan airport.
Must have a valid passport.
Must have a national fitness certification through American Council on Exercise (ACE), OR plan to obtain one if accepted into the program and moved into the Paid Assist category. We do accept CanFitPro for our candidates from Canada.

Interested candidates should send the following information via email to the Apprentice Program Coordinator at edu@yogafit.com:

Current resume, including teaching history
Current headshot & body shot

6. I teach seniors…how can I modify the practice?
Begin by focusing on breath work. Remember that our Senior population needs to focus on functional movement—getting up and down, bending safely, maintaining joint mobility, balance, etc. We also want to incorporate chest openers, as osteoporosis has begun to affect many of our seniors. We want to keep them as mobile as possible for as long as possible. Using a chair for support or balance is always a nice option, as well. We always want to bring our Seniors’ classes back to functional, restorative movements.

7. Why should I not do inversions on my menstrual cycle:
There is a widely held belief that practicing inversions during the menstrual cycle can lead to endometriosis. While there is no medical evidence to support this belief, we do believe in safe yoga and erring on the side of caution. We advise that anyone who feels and discomfort during inversions while menstruating should abstain from practicing those poses during their cycle.
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YogaFit Forum back online!

2011-04-15T19:45:00.001-05:00

After being gone for a year (yup, YogaFit took down their board, a year ago, April 15, 2010), they are back to offering back up a YogaFit Forum.

http://yogafitevents.proboards.com/index.cgi is the location of the YogaFit Forum, so have at it YogaFit Fans!
<3 Gaileee

Go "to" music for Yoga...

2011-04-14T07:44:00.000-05:00

Sueno Latino one of my favorites from Cafe del Sol #3.Vibrant!

I get questions as to the music I play in yoga class. Here are a couple of my "Go to" favorites:

The Living Sea: Soundtrack from Imax Film.
Music by Sting.
Lovely!

suzanne teng's Mystic Journey, beautiful multi-flute player.

Several of her songs are on YogaFit's Active Music II CD.

Chair Yoga Class with Gaileee

2011-04-05T08:36:00.000-05:00

Here are some of the sequences that we will be doing today in Yoga for MS class that I'm doing at Wesley UMC in Nederland, Texas. Not sure if we will be doing the standing portion. If not, chair versions of the poses will be done.

Seated in chair:

Center yourself - Breathe and observe your physical, emotional and mental status.
Three part Breath.
Easy Seated Twist. Gently take opposite hand over to opposite knee/thigh, bring other hand back behind you to rest on the chair back, look over the shoulders and gently breathe. Switch sides
Seated at the front edge of chair, feet hip-width and parallel. Do everything 4-6 times or for 4-6 breaths:
Shake out your hands, arms, shoulders
Circle shoulders (individually or together)
Circle arms
Shrug shoulders (squeeze and release with a sigh)
Wrist stretch with fingers pointed to the ceiling, with other hand stretch, then drop the fingers pointed to the floor and with the other hand stretch towards your body. Switch hands and repeat.
Neck rotations (chin to each shoulder) – Chin to chest, Chin to Ceiling. Chin looking over left shoulder, back to center, chin looking over right shoulder back to center. Drop ear toward shoulder, back to center, drop other ear toward shoulder, back to center.
Spinal flexing (round back with hands on thighs, then lift sternum and look up) – Seated Cat – Exhaling, Seated Cow - Inhaling
Lateral windmill stretch (separate legs, L elbow to L thigh, R arm up and to the L. Switch sides)
Seated chair twist. Turn body sideways in the chair, placing arm closest to the chair back, on top of chair back. Place other arm on top of arm resting on chair back, looking over the shoulder. Closing the eyes and breathing. Switch sides.
Pick up one leg. Lift and lower leg (flex feet and wiggle toes. Switch sides)
Pick up one foot, place onto block with leg straight, bringing toes to heart center (stretching the calves and hamstrings). Switch sides
Pick up ankle & put on opposite knee. FLEX ANKLE for modified pigeon, gently lean forward and breathe. Switch sides.
Flowing inhale circle sweep arms up, exhaling floating arms down. Inhaling hands on thighs, bringing feet towards chair, leaning forward to stand up, continue to sweep hands overhead, exhaling bringing calves to back of chair, hand on top of chair, gently lowering down to sit on the edge of chair. Repeat several times, with last time, coming around to the back of the chair.
Standing - Use chair for support when needed. Do everything 4-6 times or for 4-6 breaths:
Mountain (standing alignment with arms raised slowly overhead) Close eyes with hands on top of chair or not.
Side lateral flexion (arms raised comfortably overhead; stretch from side to side)
Tree (balance on one foot with other knee bent)
Forward bend/Downward facing dog (hinge at hips and place hands on chair seat. Feet 3’ from front chair leg)
Lunge (hinge at hips and place hands on chair seat, step one leg back, bend the front knee over ankle)
Warrior 2 with hand on the chair, carefully aligning the feet and hips. Switch Side
Warrior 1 with hand(s) on chair, carefully aligning the feet and hips. Switch sides.
Flowing Chair pose with either hands in the air, on the thighs, or on the chair. Inhaling circle arms up, Exhaling bending the knees, hands either in the air, or on tops of the chair, inhaling circle sweep arms up and stand tall, then Exhale back into chair pose. Repeat several times cued to breath.
Alternate Nostril Breathing.
Seated at the front edge of chair, feet hip-width and parallel. Do everything 4-6 times or for 4-6 breaths:
Arm Stretches. With one hand place the theraband in your hand, near the end of the band, then in the middle hang onto the band with the other hand, bring the other hand to the middle of the chest. Slowly extend the elbow/arm out, making sure the wrist is in alignment with the arm. Bring the elbow/arm back in, decide if you need more resistance or less by bringing in or out. Repeat several times on one side, then switch sides.
Half Cow pose. Using the theraband, bring one arm clasping the theraband, up and behind you. The other hand is place onto the small of the back, grab the theraband, and starting walking the hands toward one another. Cue for keeping the neck in alignment with the spine. Close the eyes and breathe. Switch Sides.
Chest Expansion. Either by holding the chair back with the hands, or interlacing the hands together behind you, gently squeezing the shoulder blades together. You may hinge forward at the hips or not.
Side Lateral Flexion, inhaling one arm up, then lean over. Switch sides
Spinal flexing (round back with hands on thighs, then lift sternum and look up) – Seated Cat – Exhaling, Seated Cow - Inhaling
Easy Seated Twist. Gently take opposite hand over to opposite knee/thigh, bring other hand back behind you to rest on the chair back, look over the shoulders and gently breathe. Switch sides.
Shake out your hands, arms, shoulders
Circle shoulders (individually or together)
Circle arms
Shrug shoulders (squeeze and release with a sigh)
Relaxation:
Guide yourself through a sequential release of your body, from the feet to the top of your head.
Closing - take a few moments to center yourself:
Breathe and observe your physical, emotional and mental status. Notice any changes.
Namaste’

YogaKiddos in Action!

2011-04-04T06:58:00.003-05:00

Breathing in and Breathing out demonstration.

Ssssssssssssssssssnake Pose.

Used the book My First Yoga - Animal Poses, and here are a few poses demonstrated from the book. We use the hoberman ball to illustrate inhalation and exhalation breath. Plus use the hoop to have an animal jump through....today we jumped through making a moo-ing sound for Cow Pose

Photography by David C. Turnley

Flamingo Pose.

Giraffe Pose.

The Light in me, honors the Light in you. Amen.

Barger girls enjoying yoga with mom! Photography by David C. Turnley

MS Adaptive Yoga - Beaumont & Nederland, Texas

2011-03-24T16:27:00.001-05:00

Starting: Tuesday, April 5, 2011. Each Tuesday, 10 to 11:15 a.m. Wesley United Methodist Church, 3515 Helena Avenue, Nederland, Texas 77627. This class is offered exclusively for people living with MS & is free or charge!

Yoga Poses in the Zumba Cool Down

2011-03-18T10:40:00.000-05:00

So during Zumba class last night, we actually did some yoga poses in the cool down portion of the Zumba Class. Sneaking some Yoga into Zumba!!

Lateral Flexion

Variation Lateral Flexion

Swan Dive with Chest Expansion Arms

Chest Expansion

Forward Fold with Chest ExpansionArms

Swan Dive with Airplane Arms

Forward Fold with overhead Chest Expansion Arms

Variation of Forward Fold

Additional Variation of Forward Fold

Monkey Stretch Variation (Hamstrings)

Airplane Arms Monkey Stretch

Forward Fold

Monkey Stretch Variation

Runners Lunge

Can Yoga help those with Diabetes? Read on....

2011-03-16T19:23:00.000-05:00

When I was pregnant, and of course had gestational diabetes, yoga helped me lower my stress, and as a form of exercise after a high glucose reading, would lower my numbers after a gentle yoga practice. Read on these links for more information, regarding Yoga and the effects it has on Diabetes.

http://www.msfocus.org/article-details.aspx?articleID=12 Take a read on this article. Some things also applies to diabetes. The Breath work!
Here is a link to some interesting Diabetes/Yoga information! http://www.diabeteswellbeing.com/diabetes-yoga.html
I haven't downloaded this, but this might be interesting info to have.... http://yoga4diabetes.com/
The folks at Prevention Magazine..... http://www.rodale.com/yoga-diabetes

Enjoy!! gaileee

Why Yoga helps the heart

2011-03-06T10:27:00.000-06:00

Excerpt from February 2011 Yoga Journal article, "Straight to the Heart".

Why Yoga Helps: As Dr. Ornish explains, "Chronic emotional stress makes plaque build up twice as fast in the coronary arteries that feed the heart. Stress also causes the coronary arteries to constrict, reducing blood flow to the heart. It makes the platelets sticker and more likely to form blood clots that may precipitate a heart attack."

Yoga is perhaps the most effective stress-reduction method ever invented. Dr. Timothy McCall.

<3 Gaileee

Rate your Yoga Teacher

2011-03-05T14:29:00.000-06:00

Click on over to:

http://www.ratemyyogainstructor.com/index.php?instructor_detail&instructor_id=017798

And rate me. I only have "1" like, and I suspect it is me, voting for me....hmmm.

Gaileee

Yoga Kiddos Slide Show from the Yoga Kit for Kids

2011-03-02T09:40:00.000-06:00

Grace loves copying the poses from the cards from the Yoga Kit for Kids. Here is a slide show of the poses from Yoga Kit for Kids. Love it!

Enjoy! <3 Gaileee

Yoga Giveaway time! YogaFit Book and YogaFit on the Road CD

2011-02-18T16:20:00.003-06:00

I'm giving away a signed 2nd edition of Beth Shaw's YogaFit book.

Additionally, YogaFit has donated 3 copies of Beth's Yoga on the Road CD, which is great and has a pose diagram on the back of the CD cover to assist with the visualization of the various poses presented in the audio CD.

To Enter to win you must:

Make a comment on this blog post, as to why you'd like to win Beth's book. AND
Take a look around my blog, and tell me the other post that you like on this blog and comment about the other post.

Please be sure to leave an email address in your blog post so that I can contact you, if you are the winners. U.S. Residents only.

<3 Gaileee

p.s. If you wish an EXTRA entry, you'll need to find my Facebook page (Look for Yoga with Gaileee), "Like" and "Post" a small comment, then come back here to make a comment that you've "Liked" and "Posted" a message on my Facebook page. You'll need to do a little work, though to get the EXTRA entry, as you'll have to search in Facebook for my page.

Good luck!

Entries taken up and until the end of February 2011 (Which is Monday, February 28th, 2011)

P.S.S. Here is my review of the book that I did right after it first came out! Enjoy!

Beth Shaw's Yogafit - 2nd Edition (Paperback) Other than doing yoga poses when I was pregnant, YogaFit was my first exposure to yoga poses. I took a college course, and our course book was the first edition of the Beth Shaw's YogaFit book.

The second book is so much of an improvement over the second book, in that the second book has delved into the philosophy of yoga, a bit more detailed information about special populations of people, who might enjoy practicing yoga, details about YogaFit's Seven Principles of Alignment, which are essential in one practice of safe yoga, and excellent descriptions of the poses with photographs and great worded explanations.

A bit of a bonus, which I really like, are visual diagrams of the YogaFit varied workouts. From Beginning Yoga, to Flex and Flowing through your poses, to a core version of yoga, to ending with a diagram of poses to do in a power yoga format.

There are some nice additional sections in the book about diet and nutrition, meditation, and information about the chakras. Plus at the end a list of the different pose, and where they are optimally placed in YogaFit Mountain format.

I've been pleased with the Human Kinetics books, and Beth's second edition book is wonderful.

Gail Pickens-Barger

Adaptive Yoga for MS - Beaumont / Nederland, Texas.

2011-02-09T09:41:00.000-06:00

Saturday at 11 am, I'm teaching a adaptive chair yoga class for those with MS at the MS self support meeting.

Pastor Kevin Otto, at Wesley UMC in Nederland has offered the church up to allow a weekly chair yoga class in Nederland. That would help the folks in mid-county. I'm looking for a church in Beaumont, or other venue, that has great wheelchair access, parking, big room with chairs (about 25-35), would charge nothing or next to nothing, and allow a chair yoga class for those with Multiple Scelorsis.

Needing a welcoming space to help those in your community. Please contact, volunteer, Gail Pickens-Barger, Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher at 409-727-3177, if you know of a place, or are offering your place for your community needs. The National MS society and I thank you very much!

Gail Pickens-Barger, E-RYT

MT and Roberto Adaptive yoga for MS.

2011-01-17T16:49:00.000-06:00

Check out this quick youtube video of Adaptive Yoga for MS with MT and Roberto Mazzarella.

<3 Gaileee

Some other Yogi Cookie Cutters! Wow!

2011-01-14T09:17:00.000-06:00

How cool is this? I received an email from the Kitchen Yogi talking about their upcoming cookie contest.

Tree Pose

Cookie Recipe Included
Honey Molasses Ginger

Big Cookie Cutter (6")
Made in Vermont

Easy Seat Pose

Cookie Recipe Included
Organic Sugar

Big Cookie Cutter (6")Made in Vermont

Boat Pose

Cookie Recipe Included
Gluten-Free

Big Cookie Cutter (6")Made in Vermont

Click Here TO ORDER CLICK HERE

Someone in NYC is super digging my mom's blog!

2011-01-07T13:52:00.002-06:00

Am super-digging this blog written by an 83-year-old woman chronicling her life in the 1930s and '40s: http://shortn.me/iasy (my mom)

Go check it out! <3 Gaileee

The Best Shape of your life! Yoga for Fitness & Health Magazine

2011-01-01T06:19:00.000-06:00

Fall 2010 Special Issue - Yoga Journal

I was hoping that Yoga Journal would put out another overall magazine, like they did last year. I found the extra magazine had a lot of great information in it, and shared some of the information, here on this website.

And they did it again. Last year, I was able to find the special Yoga Journal magazine in Walmart, but no such luck this year. Just happened upon it in Sams, and of course Sams magazines are at a 30% discount. Nice buy!

I happens that this years issue has 8 complete workout by top teachers in the yoga field. Patricia
Walden, Kira Ryder, Richard Rosen, Sarana Miller, Sianna Sherman, Lisa Black, Nicki
Doane & Eddie Modestini, and lastly, Shiva Rea.

I really like the Sun Salutation presented by Richard Rosen, as that is the way, I typically teach a Sun Salutation.

You can also send off for the free DVD (you pay postage only) associated with the magazine.

Here is the summary of the magazine

Get In the Best Shape of Your Life
8 Complete Work Outs By Top Teachers
Ultimate Core Challenge
5 Poses for Over-All Conditioning
Yoga for Strength Training
The Inner-wisdom diet
Find your perfect weight

and here is the link to purchase online if you cannot find it locally.
http://www.yogajournal.com/shop/back_issues/ It is the Fall 2010 issue. Enjoy!

How to use the Birth Ball in Prenatal Yoga

2010-12-02T13:02:00.000-06:00

This one bears repeating......This is for all the pregnant ladies who want to do something positive for their bodies during their pregnancy. Sure helps with the aches and pains! <3 Gaileee

Sara Varona, Teacher of RestoraFlow Yoga style, has provided an excellent visual aide, of how to use the birthing ball, or resist-a-ball, in her latest YouTube videos.

On her site, Buildyouryogabusiness.com she has four videos, about 10 minutes in length, that shows various ways to use the birthing ball, and you never get up off of the floor. Which is a bonus sometimes, when you get late into your pregnancy.

Sara is 9 months along, when demonstrating these postures. Listen real carefully, as she gives you modifications and suggestions for the different yoga poses.

Here is the link to the first Prenatal Yoga Birth Ball video.
Prenatal Yoga Video with the Ball I on the Buildyouryogabusiness.com site

Second Prenatal Yoga Birth Ball Video
Prenatal Yoga Video with the Ball II from the Buildyouryogabusiness.com site with Sara Varona

Third Prenatal Yoga Birth Ball Video
Prenatal Yoga Video with the Ball III Sara Varona from RestoraFlow Prenatal Yoga Video

and Last Fourth Prenatal Yoga Birth Ball Video
Prenatal Yoga Video with the Ball IV the last Prenatal RestoraFlow Yoga Video

I wished that these videos were around when I was pregnant, because I was inventing things to do with the ball, based on some books that I had, and other exercise maternity programs. I do have favorite videos on prenatal yoga, but none that used the birth ball, and these videos have enough modifications for beginners, and advanced sections for those of us, who can handle a bit more. But as always, listen to your body, become aware of your breath...if it is somewhat ragged, that is your number one clue, that you are doing to much!

Enjoy these videos, and if you have comments, come back here, and we will discuss them!

gaileee, momma of four children through Bradley ChildBirth Methods and Prenatal Yoga

Adaptive Yoga for Multiple Sclerosis

2010-11-30T08:56:00.000-06:00

Just finished taking an Adaptive Yoga workshop for Multiple Sclerosis. Yoga Teachers who had already reached the level of Registered Yoga Teacher Status from Yoga Alliance were qualified to take the training. Here is a recap...

o MS is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system that causes damage to nerve axons.
o Damage can occur with and without symptoms.
o MS affects movement, cognition and energy.
o Stress makes MS worse.

* Yoga can help increase function and delay or possibly prevent disability (by maintaining function):
* Breath
* Movement – gentle, repetitive, appropriate, adaptive
* Relaxation techniques
* Yogic philosophy

I look forward to implementing some of the elements from the workshop in the gentle Yoga classes that I teach, and possibly in the near future offering a MS Yoga class.
Namaste'

Baked Ideas, now selling their Yoga Cookie Cutters! Yeah!

2010-11-29T15:31:00.001-06:00

Baked Ideas, are now selling their Yoga Cookies Cutters. http://www.bakedideas.com/storepage.htm

$32.00 for the Lotus Group of Poses
$32.00 for the Down Dog Group of Pose
Shipping/Handling too!

Have a yoga teacher, and can't think of a cool present? Want to make yoga cookies for your students? Here is your chance to get all 10 cookie cutters! Thanks Baked Ideas!
<3 Gaileee

Have a pain free delivery....

2010-11-16T13:37:00.000-06:00

If you are pregnant (or know someone who is) this could be one of the most important messages you ever read.

Ob/Gyns, Midwives, and Mothers-to-be have been stunned by the research about how yoga lessens the pain of labor and delivery.

The practice of yoga has many positive effects on pregnant women. Yoga includes physical stretching, mental centering and breath awareness. This makes it an ideal preparation for labor and childbirth.

Yoga encourages relaxation, internal focus and slowed breathing patterns, goals that are common in many types of childbirth preparation classes such as Lamaze and Bradley Childbirth method.

Yoga may help relieve many of the common discomforts of pregnancy, such as lower back pain, nausea, insomnia, carpal tunnel syndrome and headaches.

Research suggests that yoga can help relax the body while preparing the muscles of the lower body for use in childbirth.

The breathing techniques used in yoga can help reduce or manage the shortness of breath that may accompany pregnancy and teach women how to breathe through physically challenging experiences such as labor.

Yoga encourages pregnant women to be mindful of the body's innate capacities and to recognize the connection among mind, body and breath. Yoga techniques also may be useful in promoting postpartum recovery and coping with the stresses of parenting.

Yoga during pregnancy is safe for most healthy women.

My name is Gail Pickens-Barger and I teach Gentle Beginning Yoga at the YMCA of Port Arthur Texas. I can give you alternate poses if you are pregnant and taking my classes.

Fall Yoga Teaching Schedule

2010-11-07T11:31:00.001-06:00

Current Yoga classes that I teach at the YMCA of Port Arthur

Deep Space Nine - Odo - Shapeshifting Yoga

2010-10-20T08:56:00.002-05:00

Y'all got to check out this online magazine of yoga. I've really been enjoying the articles.

Today was about shapeshifting yoga. Of course, as a Deep Space Nine fan, immediately thought of Odo! The original shapeshifter!

http://themagazineofyoga.com/

Subscribe and enjoy the articles!

gaileee

Details on the Benefits of a Regular Yoga Practice

2010-10-15T06:00:00.000-05:00

Details on the benefits of a regular Yoga practice.
Discover how to: lose weight, eliminate your stress, increase your flexibility, build your strength using Yoga

* Help you lose weight: Many forms of yoga raise the heart rate into the aerobic range. But you don’t need to exert yourself to lose weight with yoga. Some studies show even gentle yoga and breathing techniques rev up your tired metabolism so you can lose weight.

A study at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle linked yoga and weight loss. This study of over 15,000 men and women showed people who did yoga lost weight while the control group gained weight.

Another study presented last year at the America Heart Association found yoga helped overweight high school students lose weight while the control group gained weight.

And the famed Dr. Dean Ornish encourages his patients to practice yoga to help ensure weight loss. When you do yoga and make it part of your lifestyle, you’ll soon discover it’s power for weight loss.

Yoga helps you to lose the weight in varied ways. It helps you build muscle mass. When you increase your muscle mass, you boost your resting metabolism -- and that makes your body burn more calories. You strengthen your body from tip to toe with a regular practice. The thyroid gland normalizes your weight without you having to be in the gym 4-6 days a week. There are a number of factors involved in the normalizing of the weight. Some of the poses in a practice stimulate sluggish glands to increase their hormonal secretions. The thyroid gland, especially, has a big effect on our weight because it affects body metabolism. Yoga goes even deeper by changing the relationship of mind to body, and eventually to food and eating which can have tremendous impact on weight loss.

* Eliminate your stress: Yoga reduces the physical effects of stress on the body. By encouraging relaxation, you help on lowering your levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol is the chemical that is linked to increased belly fat. Big bellies are linked to insulin resistance-a precursor to Type 2 (adult-onset) diabetes - and heart disease. By combating stress, yoga helps to normalize cortisol levels and keep belly fat to a minimum.

Related benefits include lowering blood pressure and heart rate, improving digestion and boosting the immune system as well as easing symptoms of conditions such as anxiety, depression, fatigue, asthma and insomnia. Your lung capacity will improve, and so will the quality and depth of the breath. People who practice on a regular basis, will notice that they will have less upper respiratory infections, this is thought to be because of the quality of your breath one practices in a yoga practice.

*Improve your flexibility: Yoga helps to improve flexibility and mobility, increasing range of movement and reducing aches and pains. Many people can’t touch their toes during their first yoga class. Gradually they begin to use the correct muscles. Over time, the ligaments, tendons and muscles lengthen, increasing elasticity, making more poses possible. Yoga also helps to improve body alignment resulting in and helping to relieve back, neck, joint and muscle problems. Many people think that they need to be flexible or need to be able to touch their toes to do yoga. Not so! You come to yoga with however your body is at the moment, and with working through your practice, work towards a more flexible body!

* Build your strength: Yoga postures use every muscle in the body, helping to increase strength literally from head to toe. When I restarting taking yoga about 8 years ago, I could only do one pushup. After being in a regular practice for three months, I could at the end of those three months do 19 pushups! I was truely amazed at this feat, and was hooked on yoga from that point on.

While the different poses in a practice can strengthen the body, they also provide an additional benefit of helping to relieve muscular tension. Lots of people have upper body tension, due to being at a desk or car or at the computer for a lot of the day. Coming to a session, helps to build the upper body strength, and to relieve tension being held in the body, so you get benefit of increasing strength and easing body tension.
* Remember, you don't have to be flexible, or in shape to do yoga. If you can breathe you can do some form of yoga. The more out of shape that you are, the more you'll see immediate results in a regular practice.

Please join me in a gentle beginning yoga class. What happens in a class is for the first time, you'll register and sign in, I'll discuss with you any body issues that you may have (back, carpel tunnel syndrome, balance, surgeries, high blood pressure, etc.), Class is typically 60 minutes in length. Each class will begin with warm-up and stretching. The warm-up is then followed by focused breathing, then a series of poses that gently work the entire body. After the exercises there is a period of physical and mental relaxation and reflection.

Participants do not need any prior experience (I love beginners!!) to attend. All skill levels are welcomed. You may borrow a yoga mat, but I encourage you to purchase a yoga mat of your own. Blankets, blocks, straps are provided for you to use during your practice.

Where? I teach Gentle Beginning Yoga at the YMCA of Port Arthur on Tuesday and Thursday at 11 a.m. Please email YogaWithGaileee@gmail.com or call at 409.727.3177.

Yoga - Sivananda Cookie Recipe

2010-10-06T15:31:00.000-05:00

Sivananda Cookie Recipe:

2 cups oats
1 cup plain whole-wheat flour
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup unsalted peanuts
1 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
pinch salt
3/4 cup sunflower oil
1 cup milk or water

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Mix the dry ingredients in a large bowl;
add the oil and mix well. Stir in enough milk or water to make a firm mixture.
Place heaped spoonfuls on an oiled baking tray, and flatten them into 4 in.
rounds. Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden at the edges. Cool on a rack.
I use walnuts instead of peanuts and usually bake them about 20 minutes.
Makes 12 large cookies.

Or make them into nickle sized and get a bit more!

Teaching Schedule for Fall 2010.

2010-09-29T13:18:00.001-05:00

Gentle Back Care Yoga on Tuesdays at 11 am at the YMCA of Port Arthur.

YogaKiddos on Thursday afternoons at Wesley's MDO Program

Zumba Fitness Mondays and Thursdays at Wesley United Methodist Church, 3515 Helena Avenue at 6:15pm.

Thank you!

2010-09-25T16:13:00.000-05:00

Thanks to all who participated in my recent Yoga Giveaway. The Giveaway winners have been notified and the items were sent in the mail on Friday!

Gaileee

p.s. I hope you've enjoyed the past weeks, blog posts!

p.s.s. If you have back pain/stiffness, come join me at the YMCA of Port Arthur, where you'll enjoy a gentle beginning yoga class. Most people with back issues really see a BIG difference in how their backs feels after this class!

Review of ABC's of Yoga for Kids

2010-09-24T21:05:00.000-05:00

ABC's of Yoga for Kids - Book Review. Author - Teresa Anne Power, Editor - Brookes Nohlgren and Illustrator - Kathleen Rietz. You can find your copy at this website. http://www.abcyogaforkids.com/

B. Boat: (Look at that smile on her face!)

B. Boat from the book.

Here she is doing some of the poses from the book, "ABC's of Yoga for Kids". A rather new book, nice verbage around the different poses, and lots of variety in the poses. Lovely illustration too!

B. Butterfly.

C. Cat with her "tail" in the air....

Really a lovely book! Now I want the color book, because she likes to color, marker, paint and I'd like to see what she does with this, as it is a posture and a color opportunity. Gaileee

Noah's Ark ABC Yoga for Children by Gaileee

2010-09-23T21:04:00.000-05:00

This past summer at Vacation Bible School, I did Noah's Ark ABC Yoga for Children.

For the Pre-Kindergarten group, I read and had the children demonstrate the animals from

"Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See" book, Bill Martin, Jr (the author) and Eric Carle (the illustrator) of this book.

This was a book suggested and class demonstrated by Shana Meyerson, of the "mini yogis" Teacher Training, that I took back in May. It worked out very well. I'm glad I had lots of assistants though, as over 12 kiddos is hard to manage.

For the older groups of children (Kinder and 1st, 2nd and 3rd graders), I did the Galactic Blast VBS Bible verse, but before we blasted off into our rocket ship, we had to gather the Earth's animals onto the ship, just like in the olden times with Noah and the ark.

We did yoga poses for the 26 different ABC animals. Ever try to do a pose for an armadillo?

Or for a Vicuna? (Cousin of the Llama.)

Kiddos had a great time, hope to get some photos to share later on of the event. Again, glad to have lots of assistants. We when finished our pose, it was criss cross applesause, back to our yoga mat!

gaileee

Preschooler's enjoying Galactic Blast Yoga!

2010-09-22T21:03:00.000-05:00

Here are the preschoolers, enjoying one of the poses from the book, "Black bear, black bear, what do you see?". We are doing in this one is the Red Bird Pose, flying around in our Yoga nest.

I had several helpers for this large class. (Thanks Tamara & Leon & Recreation Helpers!!) After each pose, I'd pipe in and say, "Criss Cross Applesauce", to indicate coming back to their place on the yoga mat. There were so many kiddos, that there were 2 to 3 kiddos seated on the yoga mats.

Reading the story book and doing the poses worked well with this yoga bunch!

gaileee

Now that you've had your baby.....

2010-09-21T21:01:00.000-05:00

It is time to do baby yoga! My baby loved doing the little routines listed in the book, "Itsy Bitsy" Yoga.

I'd sing to her, "Pada Hasta, pada Hasta", for the pumping of the knees into the chest, to help her with her gas, and the "Corkscrew" movement, to help, again, the movement of the bowels. (Okay, sounds gross, I know, but if your baby has those issues, it is a nice way to help them out, plus they love it!)

Plus the "Kissy feet, kissy feet, toes to the nose"!

Curious? You can check out the book from the local library, or request it from IntraLibrary loan, or check out Helen's http://www.itsybitsyyoga.com/ website. Lots of good information there! Or find a local teacher

Prenatal Yoga Poses Handouts!

2010-09-20T21:00:00.000-05:00

Great site that you need to look at:

Part One - Introduction to Pregnancy. http://birthbuddy.wordpress.com/2007/02/28/yoga-in-pregnancy-part-1-introduction/
Part Two- Simple Yoga Prenatal Postures. http://birthbuddy.wordpress.com/2007/03/08/yoga-in-pregnancy-part-2-simple-postures/
Part Three- More Advanced Prenatal Postures. http://birthbuddy.wordpress.com/2007/03/18/practising-yoga-during-pregnancy-part-3-more-advanced-postures/
PDF 33 Page Hand out. http://birthbuddy.files.wordpress.com/2007/03/pregnancy_poses.pdf

Enjoy the site!

Prenatal Yoga in Mongolia!

2010-09-19T20:56:00.000-05:00

I presented a Prenatal Yoga class in Avraikheer, Mongolia, while I was visiting Amber (who is in the Peace Corps) this summer.

Mongolians have this superstition about being on the floor in public, so they laid a blanket on the floor so that I could demonstrate Cat/Cow flow.

I then proceeded to demonstrate the rest of the poses standing, with the chair, or with the wall. Talk about a change of plans! Good thing I had come up with a alternate flow for doing prenatal yoga in chairs!

Now they want me to prepare a handout, so that they can take it at home and practice at home. Amber and I are working on that information, and it will be translated into Mongolian.

I had a midwife there also, and she was supplementing the things I was trying to say, for poses that you do during labor, with her expertise too. Great presentation!

Exercising Through Your Pregnancy - A recommended book

2010-09-18T20:54:00.000-05:00

Exercising Through Your Pregnancy, by James Clapp, MD. This is a must have book if you exercise prior to pregnancy and want to keep up your efforts. A book to take to your OBGYN, cause some of those guys are still on the bandwagon of "don't let your heart rate go above 140!".

Here is the Amazon Link. http://www.amazon.com/Exercising-Through-Pregnancy-James-Clapp/dp/1886039593

Lots of good scientific evidence about continuing to exercise, and starting to exercise while pregnant.

Prenatal Yoga use of Birth Balls in Pregnancy and during Labor

2010-09-17T20:53:00.000-05:00

Prenatal Yoga use of Birth Balls in Pregnancy and during Labor.

Here are some excellent resources for you to have on hand and to practice while pregnant, and to use in easing your labor pains.

Birth Balls. Use of Physical Therapy Balls in Maternity Care by Paulina G. (Polly) Perez, R.N.

Great Expectations Pregnancy Program with FitBall by Lisa Westlake (1/2 price on VHS tapes right now), Mother of two, Physiotherapist and Australian Fitness Leader

Carolyne Anthony's Childbearing series - Using the ball during pregnancy DVD

Exercising during pregnancy with the "Gymnic-Plus" ball. (in Italian and English)

I used these resource to help supplement my prenatal yoga practice, and the prenatal yoga classes that I taught, during my fourth pregnancy in my late forties. Also used the yoga poses on the ball and otherwise during labor to help me through my induced contractions. It works!

Any Questions? Please post a comment!

Yoga Giveaway #2 - Beth Shaw's 2nd Edition Signed Book - On Gaileee's Blog

2010-09-11T12:43:00.000-05:00

Now to enter to win this signed book you have to do a few things......

Make a comment on this blog post AND leave your email address in the blog post AND tell me your favorite yoga pose (or what you think your favorite yoga pose might be, if you are a beginning yoga practioner).
Like the following Facebook pages
- Yoga with Gaileee (On facebook, clickable link on this blog) type in Yoga with Gaileee on Facebook search engine to find it!
- Zumba with Gaileee (On facebook, clickable link at http://zumbawithgaileee.blogspot.com/) type in Zumba with Gaileee on the Facebook search engine to find it.
- Yoga for Kiddos with Gaileee (On facebook, clickable link at http://yogakiddos.blogspot.com/) type in Yoga for Kiddos on Facebook Search engine to find it.
Then come back to Yoga with Gaileee blog, and make a comment that you've done the "likes" of the facebook pages that I mentioned, and under what name you used to do the "likes. I'll go and check the different facebook groups to ensure eligibility for winning Beth's 2nd edition book.

So here is the boring stuff. Must be a U.S. or Canada Resident to win.
You have until Saturday Night, 11:35 p.m. on September 18th to do your comments, and likes and additional comments, plus your email address, so that I can contact you if you've won.

So the Signed book by Beth, well you've got to work a little bit for that giveaway. Just takes a little time.

Yoga Giveaway on Gaileee's Blog - yogafit on the road audio CD

2010-09-11T12:40:00.000-05:00

Giving away 5 copies of Beth Shaw's "yogafit on the road" audio cd to bring peace, calm, exercise where ever you go!

How do I enter to win?

Make a comment on this blog post AND leave your email address in the blog post AND tell me your favorite yoga pose (or what you think your favorite yoga pose might be, if you are a beginning yoga practioner).

So here is the boring stuff. Must be a U.S. or Canada Resident to win.

You have until Saturday Night, 11:35 p.m. on September 18th to do your comments, plus your email address, so that I can contact you if you've won.

So the Audio CD's easy to win.

YogaFit Give away on Yoga with Gaileee Blog!

2010-09-03T14:09:00.000-05:00

Giving away 5 copies of beth shaw's "yogafit on the road" audio cd to bring peace, calm, exercise where ever you go!

How do I enter to win?

Make a comment on this blog post AND leave your email address in the blog post AND tell me your favorite yoga pose (or what you think your favorite yoga pose might be, if you are a beginning yoga practioner).

And guess what? YogaFit gave me a signed book by Beth Shaw of her second edition book......................................................................
Shown here on the right.

Now to enter to win this signed book you have to do a few more things......

Make a comment on this blog post AND leave your email address in the blog post AND tell me your favorite yoga pose (or what you think your favorite yoga pose might be, if you are a beginning yoga practioner).
Like the following Facebook pages
- Yoga with Gaileee (On facebook, clickable link on this blog) type in Yoga with Gaileee on Facebook search engine to find it!
- Zumba with Gaileee (On facebook, clickable link at http://zumbawithgaileee.blogspot.com/) type in Zumba with Gaileee on the Facebook search engine to find it.
- Yoga for Kiddos with Gaileee (On facebook, clickable link at http://yogakiddos.blogspot.com/) type in Yoga for Kiddos on Facebook Search engine to find it.
Then come back to Yoga with Gaileee blog, and make a comment that you've done the "likes" of the facebook pages that I mentioned, and under what name you used to do the "likes. I'll go and check the different facebook groups to ensure eligibility for winning Beth's 2nd edition book.

So here is the boring stuff. Must be a U.S. or Canada Resident to win.
You have until Saturday Night, 11:35 p.m. on September 18th to do your comments, and likes and additional comments, plus your email address, so that I can contact you if you've won.

So the Audio CD's easy to win, the Signed book by Beth, well you've got to work a little bit for that giveaway. Just takes a little time.

When we went to the Zoo by Jan Ormerod

2010-09-02T15:19:00.000-05:00

I taught Yoga Kiddos today at Grace's Mothers Day Program at Wesley UMC. I used the book,
When we went to the Zoo by Jan Ormerod.

Next time I teach, I'll need to start at a later time, and only go for 20-30 minutes. Lots of wiggly bathroom going kiddos. But I think the kiddos enjoyed it! I'll be looking for donations of yoga mats, as I need more for 20 or so kids.

New Yoga Clothes Patterns from OTTOBRE Magazine

2010-08-30T20:41:00.000-05:00

http://ottobredesign.blogspot.com/2010/08/gorgeous-autumn-prize-draw-mildred.html

OTTOBRE design, is having a giveaway of the "Mildred" wrap, shown here on the cover of its magazine. But that isn't the fabulous thing about this issue. There is workout wear in the issue too! Great for yoga!

Here is the PDF of the line drawings of the outfits that you can make from this fall issue.

http://www.ottobredesign.com/lehdet_js/2010_5/kaikkimallit.pdf

And here is the layout of the yoga clothing.

Isn't this nice. Okay, all you have to do now is get the magazine and make the clothing!

Gaileee

Children Yoga Story Time with Alfred's Alphabet Walk book by Victoria Chess

2010-08-19T09:03:00.000-05:00

Introducing, Victoria Chess's, "Alfred's Alphabet Walk Book". Alfred's mom wants him to learn his alphabet, but Alfred hid his ABC book. He goes for a walk and encounters all things from A to Z.

"Alfred walked on and came to a grove to Quince trees. A Quarrelsome Queen bee came buzzing by, so he did not pick any Quinces."

The yoga poses you could do with your youth, *just* from this page could be:

Tree
Queen (plough) Pose
Bee Breath
Quinces (pretending to eat a quince)

How cool is that? Another book for you to hunt up and use in your yoga childrens class!

Click here to find this book on Amazon!

Kids will love this book! Gaileee

Back to teaching!

2010-08-12T16:51:00.000-05:00

I'm back to teaching yoga at the YMCA of Port Arthur on Tuesdays at 11:00 a.m.

Teaching instructors choice on the 4th Saturday of the month, and this month it is Zumba.

Then in September, I'll be teaching Zumba at my church to help raise funds for the children's playground equipment. Plus I'll be a Zumba Sub and a Yoga Sub.

Gaileee

Get yourself all twisted up -- Yoga!

2010-07-16T18:28:00.000-05:00

From Readers Digest February 2010 issue. Article. Weight Loss Secrets from Around the World. India.

Get yourself all twisted up.

Most Americans respect yoga's stress-busting and flexibility-enhancing power, but not many realize it facilitates weight loss. In fact, a recent study found that yoga devotees have a lower body mass index (BMI) than other exercisers do. There are probably multiple reasons.

Yoga is best done on an empty stomach and can build muscle (dependin on your preferred poses), which boosts your metabolism. And it encourages mindfulness, which includes paying attention to whether you feel full.

So get Twisted with Yoga!

Yoga Model: Rachel Barger of NYC.

Galactic Blast VBS - Yoga for Kiddos!

2010-07-10T10:29:00.000-05:00

Noah's Ark ABC Yoga for Children

2010-07-03T21:58:00.003-05:00

This past week at Vacation Bible School, I did Noah's Ark ABC Yoga for Children.

For the Pre-Kindergarten group, I read and had the children demonstrate the animals from

"Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See" book, Bill Martin, Jr (the author) and Eric Carle (the illustrator) of this book.

We did yoga poses for the 26 different ABC animals. Ever try to do a pose for an armadillo?

Or for a Vicuna? (Cousin of the Llama.)

gaileee

Yoga Giveaway during Saturday Yoga Class at the Port Arthur YMCA

2010-06-15T10:21:00.001-05:00

Come to the Saturday 9 a.m. Yoga class at the Port Arthur YMCA, and you may win YogaFit On The Road CD!!

This CD makes it so you can do a workout anywhere you have a CD player! This versatile CD includes 2 workouts: 70 minute yoga workout and a 15 minute seated workout. Great for traveling or for anyone on the go! Also included is a stick figure chart of all the yoga postures featured in the workout. A perfect reference tool for the beginner!

YogaFit has kindly donated several of these CD's for me to distribute to my yoga clients. I'll soon be doing a giveaway on this blog too on the CD's and a signed YogaFit Book by Beth Shaw. Stay tuned!!

May 31st is Oatmeal Yoga Donation Night!

2010-05-27T15:46:00.001-05:00

The 5th Monday of the month, is Oatmeal Yoga Donation Night! That is right, bring an oatmeal donation, instead of money. Bring a friend for a box/container of oatmeal.

Gentle Beginning Yoga starts promptly at 6:30 p.m. So come a bit early for the fun!

3515 Helena Avenue
Nederland, Texas 77627

Wesley United Methodist Church in Nederland Texas.

Monetary donations and oatmeal will go directly to the United Board of Missions, to help feed people in need in our community.

Three more fans, then a giveaway!

2010-05-26T13:00:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone!

Three more fans/like of my facebook Yoga with Gaileee page, and then I'll have the Neti Pot Giveaway.

After this giveaway, I'll have some giveaway items from YogaFit, one being a signed 2nd edition of Beth Shaw's YogaFit book! Great stuff in that book, so become a fan/like my facebook group, so that you have an opportunity to enter to win!

Yoga with Gaileee (search on Facebook to find my group, and "like"!)

gaileee

Guest Post by Patricia Harris - Avoid and Manage diabetes

2010-05-21T08:45:00.000-05:00

If You Don't Defend against Diabetes Now, You’ll Hate Your self Later

Diabetes type 2 is among the most common form of diabetes. Millions of Americans seem to be identified as having type 2 diabetes,and much more are unaware they may be at high risk. Some groups have a relatively higher risk for developing diabetes type 2 than others.

Diabetes type 2 is more common in African Americans, Latinos, Indigenous Americans, and Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians along with Pacific Islanders, along with the aged population.

In diabetes type 2, either one's body won't produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Insulin is critical for your body to be able to use glucose for energy. Once you eat food, the entire body breaks down all the sugars and starches into glucose,that is the fundamental fuel for any cells in your body. Insulin takes the sugar from your blood in the cells. When glucose increases inside the blood instead of going into cells, it can result in diabetes complications.

You could have the capability to improve and protect your present health. With proper nutrition and exercise and by making good life style choices (like not smoking), you may feel better, stronger, and healthier, and can lower your risk of diseases such as cancer, diabetes, coronary disease and cerebrovascular accident.

What is a Healthy Weight?

There's a great way to see if your current weight puts you in danger of developing serious diseases. Go to www.diabetes.org/bmi and consider the Body Mass Index (BMI) test. The outcomes will let you decide if you need to be concerned about your weight.

The Better You Eat, The Better You experience

Below are a few basic guidelines to aid you and your family make healthier food decisions.

* Eat numerous vegetables and fruit.

* Choose wholemeal foods over processed grain products.

* Try brown rice as an alternative to white. Substitute wheat grains bread for white.

* Eat fish 2 – three times weekly.

* Select leaner cuts of meat like those that end in "loin."

* Remove the skin from poultry and turkey.

* Eat low fat dairy

* Drink water and low calories non-carbonated beverages.

* Use liquid oils for cooking as an alternative to solid fats.

* Reduce too-high calorie junk food like chips, cookies, cakes, and regular frozen goodies.

* Seek out baked chips and reduced calorie snacks. Or have some fruit instead.

* Be careful about your portion sizes. Even an excess of "healthy" food might cause extra weight.

Tips:

* Compare labels of similar foods, then pick the one with smaller amounts of saturated fats, cholesterol and sodium.

* Adults should eat below 2400 mg. of sodium a day. In case you have high blood pressure, you must target even less.

* Try adding herbs and spices in your cooking to replace salt for enhancing flavor.

A bit of Workout Goes further

Anything that gets you up and moving is wonderful for you. Some tips about what it could do:

* Lower your risk of developing diabetes type 2

* Lower your risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke Lower hypertension and cholesterol

* Reduce blood glucose (sugar) levels if you have diabetes, which could lessen your risk of developing diabetes-related complications

* Alleviate anxiety

* Help you to reduce weight

* Give you more energy

* Make it easier to sleep better

* Build stronger bones and muscle mass

You don't need to visit a gym, play sports or use fancy equipment.

Certainly, it's best to speak with a family doctor before beginning any exercise program.

When you have Diabetes.

Eating healthy and staying active are more important when you have diabetes.

Well-balanced meals may help keep your glucose (sugar) level as close to normal as possible.

Being active also helps you lower your blood glucose. In case you increase your level of physical activity, you might be able to take less insulin or diabetes pills. For anyone who is very inactive, have heart disease or even a history of foot ulcers, consult your doctor about safe exercise to suit your needs.

Check your blood glucose before exercising. If it's under 100 mg/dl, eat some fruit, crackers or have a glass of milk or juice.

Check it again after exercising to understand how your blood glucose responds to workout. Bring a snack if you will be active for a few hour.

About me -Patricia Harris writes for the diabetic weekly menu blog, her personal hobby website aimed at ideas to eat healthy in order to avoid and manage diabetes.

Yoga Schedule for Christian Yoga Class for the month of May 2010.

2010-05-20T03:19:00.000-05:00

Thursday, May 20th at 6:30pm
Tuesday, May 25th at 6:30pm

Monday, May 31st at 6:30pm - Oatmeal donation time!!!

(No Yoga June 3rd - Thursday)

Mini Yogi Foundation Training.

2010-05-19T19:16:00.000-05:00

Mini Yogi Foundation Training for kids by Shana Meyerson....mastering the ancient art of being a kid

I'm going for the training this weekend in Austin (Amber's ole stomping grounds), and getting to visit with Ms. Cathy F from my church too!

From Shana's site:
Yoga is a gift.
It is an uplifting, noncompetitive, mind-expanding, and fun way for kids to build strength, spirit, and self-esteem.

Shana says, "When I look at kids today, I see an incredible amount of potential and so many opportunities for them to exercise it. But I also see a lot of unnecessary sadness, stress, and apprehension. I believe that yoga holds the magic that will allow all of today’s kids to be healthy in mind, body, and spirit, and to believe in themselves above all else."

At mini yogis yoga for kids we foster creativity, cooperation, and confidence in a safe environment where all children are perfect just the way they are.

Children aren’t little adults. They have different needs, respond to different stimuli, and learn in different ways. That’s why mini yogis offers nontraditional yoga classes: invigorating, interactive, imaginative journeys into your child’s developing mind, body, and spirit.

Unlike many other yoga programs that simply scale adult practices down into childsize chunks, mini yogis builds each practice from the ground up, creating an exclusively child-based practice and giving children the sometimes rare opportunity to just be kids within the context of yoga asana and meditation.

Let mini yogis yoga for kids help your child develop flexibility, focus, and coordination for a happy, healthy, balanced life.

mini yogis yoga for kids ..... I'm so looking forward to the training!

gaileee

New reasons to do yoga

2010-05-13T08:10:00.000-05:00

As if we need any more, but here it is, from the latest MORE magazine body&mind section.

New Reasons To Do Yoga

A report in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine suggests that regular yoga practice can reduce blood levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), a chemical that increases in reaction to stress and is part of the inflammatory response known to be a risk factor for heart disease. The study found that women who regularly did yoga had lower levels of IL-6 than nonpractioners did and showed smaller increases in the chemical after they underwent stressful experiences.

"Women who practice yoga may have learned to tune down their stress response," explains lead author Janice Kiecolt-Glaser, PhD, of Ohio State University, in Columbus. "So if someone comes behind you and yells, 'Boo!' you don't metaphorically, jump two feet in the air - you jump one." What's the right "dose" of yoga? Kiecolt-Glaser doesn't know for sure, but the experienced yogis in the study practiced two or three times a week for at least two years.

Back Care Yoga on Saturday, May 15th at YMCA of Port Arthur

2010-05-11T10:11:00.000-05:00

Back Care Yoga on Saturday, May 15th at YMCA of Port Arthur

2010-05-06T08:43:00.000-05:00

Back Care Yoga, presented Saturday, May 15th at the YMCA of Port Arthur.

Lots of sequences of yoga poses to help put your back at ease. Also strengthening poses for our "core".

Meditation Retreat for body, mind, and spirit - May 1st

2010-04-26T14:34:00.001-05:00

Meditation Retreat for body, mind and spirit

Penny LeLeux, The Record Newspapers

Published 04/06/2010 - 11:31 p.m. CST

Credit - Penny LeLeux

Experience the power of the copper meditation pyramid at the Good Medicine Workshop and Meditation Retreat May 1.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Penny LeLeux

Email:
Email

Treat yourself to a day out from daily stress and join like minds for a time of renewal. Golden Triangle Body, Mind, Spirit Connection will be hosting their first Good Medicine Workshop and Meditation Retreat, 9 a.m.- 9 p.m., May 1, 2010. The event will be held at Langtree D.U.C.K. F.A.R.M. Retreat and Eco Center located at 2825 County Road 190, Liberty. The drive is only 30 minutes from the intersection of Hwy 90 (College) and Major Drive in Beaumont.
Participants will be treated to the experience and wisdom of Bhante Kassapa from the Buu Mon Temple, who will be leading a Vipassana meditation in the afternoon.

Yoga Instructor, Linda Kleinschmidt, owner of Able Body, will be presenting a Mudra class before meditations for the day begin. Kleinschmidt has 34 years of experience teaching yoga.

Chris Huckins, of Sulphur, La., will have a vibrational bed for those who want to sign up to experience it.

Learn techniques chiropractors use–you can do for yourself, presented by Dr. Kim Folse.

Don’t miss the experience of a walking meditation on the 120 foot Chartres Cathedral style labyrinth.

Ann James will be treating guests to chakra chimes, tuning forks, singing bowls and more. Experience the copper meditation pyramid, wellness discussions and more.

Bring drums, rattles and rain sticks, if you have them, for the campfire drumming circle.

Register early, attendance is limited. Dress comfortable and refrain from wearing strong perfumes. Bring a lawnchair and blanket or sweater for the campfire event. Water will be furnished. You may bring your own snacks and beverages. Please leave your cell phones in your car during the event.

Fees are $50 per person registering by April 10 including a wonderful vegetarian luncheon and the full day of events. Without lunch, the fee is $40 per person by April 10. Cost is $45 per person after April 10 or at the door: luncheon not included.

Payment can be made by check, money order or online through the Paypal link on the GTBMS.com membership page. Checks should be made out to GTBMS and mailed to GTBMS, 1513 S. Hwy 69, PMB 20, Nederland, TX 77627.

You can pay by credit card if you prefer through Paypal. This link is set up to receive any payments made to GTBMS for all purposes.

We will receive a notification that a payment has been made. Please RSVP by email to livewell@gtbms.com with your contact info for the registration list.

Practitioners who wish to offer a mini-seminar as part of this day of de-stressing and peace, please contact Vickie Ramirez by email at livewell@gtbms.com or call 409-963-9787. Vendor booths can be arranged, contact Ramirez for more information.

Meredith Walker's 77 Health Benefits of Yoga!

2010-04-26T10:09:00.000-05:00

By Meredith Walker

Over the past several years, yoga has experienced an upsurge in popularity in the western world among medical professionals and celebrities alike. While many associate yoga with new age mysticism or the latest fad at the gym, yoga is actually an ancient practice that connects the mind, body, and spirit through body poses, controlled breathing, and meditation. The practice of yoga has many health benefits associated with it, so read below to discover 77 benefits of incorporating yoga in to your or your patient’s fitness program.
Health Benefits Within
From lowering blood pressure to increasing pain tolerance, the following health benefits can all be discovered within the body.

Blood pressure. A consistent yoga practice decreases blood pressure through better circulation and oxygenation of the body. These two exercises can help lower blood pressure.
Pulse rate. A slower pulse rate indicates that your heart is strong enough to pump more blood with fewer beats. Regularly practicing yoga provides a lower pulse rate.
Circulation. Yoga improves blood circulation. By transporting nutrients and oxygen throughout your body, yoga practice provides healthier organs, skin, and brain.
Respiratory. Like the circulatory system, a lower respiratory rate indicates that the lungs are working more efficiently. Yoga decreases the respiratory rate through a combination of controlled breathing exercises and better fitness.
Cardiovascular endurance. A combination of lower heart rate and improved oxygenation to the body (both benefits of yoga) results in higher cardiovascular endurance.
Organs. Yoga practice massages internal organs, thus improving the ability of the body to prevent disease. Additionally, an experienced yoga practitioner becomes better attuned to her body to know at first sign if something isn’t functioning properly, thereby allowing for quicker response to head off disease.
Gastrointestinal. Gastrointestinal functions have been shown to improve in both men and women who practice yoga.
Immunity. Yoga practice has frequently been correlated with a stronger immune system. Read this article for more on the immune system and yoga, including some poses that specifically work on areas of immunity.
Pain. Pain tolerance is much higher among those who practice yoga regularly. In addition to pain tolerance, some instances of chronic pain, such as back pain, are lessened or eliminated through yoga (see below for more on back pain).
Metabolism. Having a balanced metabolism results in maintaining a healthy weight and controlling hunger. Consistent yoga practice helps find the balance and creates a more efficient metabolism.

Health Benefits Without
Just as many health benefits occur within the body, there are many benefits that can actually be experienced from without the body. From better sleep to more energy and strength, this list provides several benefits found on the outside of the body.

Aging. Yoga stimulates the detoxification process within the body. Detoxification has been shown to delay aging, among many other health benefits.
Posture. The very nature of yoga teaches the practitioner how to hold and control one’s body in a more healthful position. Through consistent practice, your posture will improve so that you look more confident and healthy.
Strength. One of the premises of yoga is that you are using the weight of your own body for overall strength. Find out more about how yoga works as an excellent method of strength training in this article.
Energy. Regular yoga practice provides consistent energy. In fact, most yogis state that when you perform your yoga correctly, you will feel energized after your yoga session rather than tired.
Weight. The benefits of a better metabolism along with the exercise of yoga work to keep your weight in check. Additionally, the stretching of muscles longwise helps to reduce the amount of cellulite that can build around muscles.
Sleep. Because of the many benefits to both body and mind that a yoga routine can provide, many find that their sleep is much better. Read here for more on sleep and yoga, as well as some positions for helping induce sleep.
Balance. An integral part of the yoga practice is balance and control over your body. With a consistent practice, you will find that your overall balance will improve outside the yoga class.
Integrated function of the body. Yoga is derived from Sanskrit and means "to join together and direct one’s attention." This is exactly what happens to your body after you start practicing yoga. Yogis find that their body works together much better, resulting in more graceful and efficient body movements.
Body Awareness: Doing yoga will give you an increased awareness of your own body. You are often called upon to make small, subtle movements to improve your alignment. Over time, this will increase your level of comfort in your own body. This can lead to improved posture and greater self-confidence.
Core strength. With a strong body core, you receive better posture and overall body strength. A strong core helps heal and reduce injuries. This is why a lot of athletes do yoga as cross training (boxers, MMA fighters, etc). Read how this swimmer uses yoga to strengthen her core and improve her swimming.
Sexuality. Yoga can improve your sexuality through better control, more relaxation, and more self-confidence. Read more about the yoga and sexuality connection here.

Emotional Health Benefits
Due to the strong mind-body connection of yoga, there are many emotional benefits to be gained from a consistent yoga practice. Find out how yoga can help improve emotional health with this list.

Mood. Overall well-being improves with yoga practice. The combination of creating a strong mind-body connection, creating a healthy body, and focusing inward can all lead to improvement in your mood.
Stress Reduction. The concentration required during yoga practice tends to focus your attention on the matter at hand, thereby reducing the emphasis you may have been putting on the stress in your life. Read more about yoga and stress management here.
Anxiety. One benefit to the controlled breathing used in yoga is a reduction in anxiety. Learn more about how you can use yoga breathing to reduce your anxiety.
Depression. Some believe the negative feelings that you may be repressing are brought to the surface during some types of yoga exercise. When this happens, the negative energy is no longer stuck within you, but released through exercise. Regularly releasing this negativity leads to a reduction of depression in many people.
Self-acceptance. Focusing inward and realizing through your yoga practice that perfection is not the goal, self-acceptance begins to take over. This post describes how success is not measured by perfectionism in yoga.
Self-control. The controlled movements of yoga teach you how to translate that self-control to all aspects of your life.
Mind-body connection. Few other exercises offer the same mind-body connection that yoga does. As you match your controlled breathing with the movements of your body, you retrain your mind to find that place of calm and peace that long-time yogis know.
Positive outlook on life. Continued practice of yoga results in a balance of many hormones and nervous system, which brings about a more stable, positive approach to life.
Hostility. Most yogis report a huge reduction in the amount of hostility they feel as well as a sense of control when anger flares. This calm effect is likely from the relaxation and meditation that is incorporated in their yoga practice that leads to an overall calming of the nervous system. Less hostility means lower blood pressure and stress and a healthier approach to life.
Concentration. Researchers have shown that as little as eight weeks of yoga practice can result in better concentration and more motivation.
Memory. Improved blood circulation to the brain as well as the reduction in stress and improved focus results in a better memory.
Attention. The attention required in yoga to maintain the structured breathing in conjunction with yoga poses sharpens the ability to keep a sharp focus on tasks.
Social skills. In yoga, you learn the interconnectedness of all of life. Your yoga practice soon evolves from a personal journey to one connecting to to the community at large where your social skills improve along with your yoga practice.
Calmness. Concentrating so intently on what your body is doing has the effect of bringing calmness. Yoga also introduces you to meditation techniques, such as watching how you breathe and disengagement from your thoughts, which help calm the mind.

Body Chemistry
Several aspects of body chemistry such as glucose levels and red blood cells are affected by yoga. Learn how you can improve your body chemistry through yoga.

Cholesterol. Yoga practice lowers cholesterol through increased blood circulation and burning fat. Yoga practice is a great tool to fight against harmful cholesterol levels.
Lymphatic system. Your lymphatic system boosts your immunity and reduces toxins in your body. The only way to get your lymphatic system flowing well is by movement. The specific movements involved in yoga are particularly well-suited for promoting a strong lymphatic system.
Glucose. There is evidence to suggest that yoga may lower blood glucose levels.
Sodium. As does any good exercise program, yoga reduces the sodium levels in your body. In today’s world of processed and fast foods that are full of sodium, lessening these levels is a great idea.
Endocrine functions. Practicing yoga helps to regulate and control hormone secretion. An improved endocrine system keeps hormones in balance and promotes better overall physical and emotional health.
Triglycerides. Triglycerides are the chemical form of fat in the blood, and elevated levels can indicate a risk for heart disease and high blood pressure. A recent study shows that yoga can lead to "significantly lower" levels of triglycerides. Read more about the results of that study here.
Red blood cells. Yoga has been shown to increase the level of red blood cells in the body. Red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen through the blood, and too few can result in anemia and low energy.
Vitamin C. Vitamin C helps boost immunity, helps produce collagen, and is a powerful antioxidant; and a yoga regimen can increase the vitamin C in your body.

Exercise Health Benefits
As a form of exercise, yoga offers benefits that are sometimes not easily found among other exercise regimens. Check out these reasons to include yoga in your or your patient’s health program.

Low risk of injury. Due to the low impact of yoga and the controlled aspect of the motions, there is a very low risk of injury during yoga practice compared to other forms of exercise.
Parasympathetic Nervous System. In many forms of exercise, the sympathetic nervous system kicks in, providing you with that fight-or-flight sensation. Yoga does the opposite and stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system. The parasympathetic system lowers blood pressure and slows the pace of your breathing, which allows relaxation and healing.
Muscle tone. Consistently practicing yoga leads to better muscle tone.
Subcortex. Subcortical regions of brain are associated with well-being, and yoga is thought to dominate the subcortex rather than the cortex (where most exercise dominates).
Reduced oxygen consumption. Yoga consumes less oxygen than traditional exercise routines, thereby allowing the body to work more efficiently.
Breathing. With yoga, breathing is more natural and controlled during exercise. This type of breathing provides more oxygen-rich air for your body and also provides more energy with less fatigue.
Balanced workout of opposing muscle groups. As with all of yoga, balance is key. If a muscle group is worked in one direction, it will also be worked in the opposite direction to maintain balance. This balance results in a better overall workout for the body.
Non-competitive. The introspective and self-building nature of yoga removes any need of competition in the exercise regimen. With the lack of competition, the yogi is free to work slowly to avoid any undue injury as well as promote a more balanced and stress-free workout.
Joint range of motion. A study at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine indicated that joint range of motion was improved by participants who practiced yoga.
Eye-hand coordination. Without practice, eye-hand coordination diminishes. Yoga maintains and improves eye-hand coordination.
Dexterity. The strong mind-body connection and flexibility gained from yoga leads to grace and skill.
Reaction time. Research done in India shows that reaction time can be improved with specific yoga breathing exercises in conjunction with an already established yoga practice. The improvement was attributed to the faster rate of processing and improved concentration gained from yoga.
Endurance. Working the entire body, yoga improves endurance and is frequently used by endurance athletes as a supplement to their sport-specific training.
Depth perception. Becoming aware of your body and how it moves, as one does in yoga practice, leads to increased depth perception.

Disease Prevention
Doctors and nurses love yoga because studies indicate that it can help prevent the following diseases.

Heart disease. Yoga reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, keeps off weight, and improves cardiovascular health, all of which lead to reducing your risk of heart disease.
Osteoporosis. It is well documented that weight-bearing exercise strengthens bones and helps prevent osteoporosis. Additionally, yoga’s ability to lower levels of cortisol may help keep calcium in the bones.
Alzheimer’s. A new study indicates that yoga can help elevate brain gamma-aminobutyric (GABA) levels. Low GABA levels are associated with the onset of Alzheimer’s. Meditation like that practiced in yoga has also been shown to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s.
Type II diabetes. In addition to the glucose reducing capabilities of yoga, it is also an excellent source of physical exercise and stress reduction that, along with the potential for yoga to encourage insulin production in the pancreas, can serve as an excellent preventative for type II diabetes.

Symptom Reduction or Alleviation
Medical professionals have learned that the following diseases or disorders can all be helped by maintaining a yoga practice.

Carpal tunnel syndrome. Individuals with carpal tunnel syndrome who practiced yoga showed greater improvement than those who wore a splint or received no treatment at all. Researchers saw improved grip strength and reduction of pain in the study participants.
Asthma. There is some evidence to show that reducing symptoms of asthma and even reduction in asthma medication are the result of regular yoga.
Arthritis. The slow, deliberate movement of yoga poses coupled with the gentle pressure exerted on the joints provides an excellent exercise to relieve arthritis symptoms. Also, the stress relief associated with yoga loosens muscles that tighten joints.
Multiple sclerosis. According to this article, "yoga is now recognized as an excellent means of MS management." Additionally, National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine is funding a clinical trial of yoga for treating multiple sclerosis.
Cancer. Those fighting or recovering from cancer frequently take advantage of the benefits that yoga provides. Cancer patients who practice yoga gain strength, raise red blood cells, experience less nausea during chemotherapy, and have a better overall well-being.
Muscular dystrophy. Using yoga in the early stages of muscular dystrophy can help return some physical functions. The practice of Pranayam yoga helped one teen regain many of his abilities lost to muscular dystrophy. Learn more in this article.
Migraines. Regular yoga practice has been shown to reduce the number of migraines in chronic migraine sufferers. This post describes how yoga can reduce migraines.
Scoliosis. Yoga can straighten the curvature of the spine associated with scoliosis. Find out how this yogi cured her scoliosis and continues to help others as well.
Chronic bronchitis. Exercise that does not elevate respiration, yet increase oxygen levels in the body is ideal for treating chronic bronchitis. Luckily, yoga can do this, as well as aerate the lungs and provide energy.
Epilepsy. Focusing on stress reduction, breathing, and restoring overall balance in the body are the focus of how yoga can help prevent epileptic seizures.
Sciatica. The intense pain associated with sciatica can be alleviated with specific yoga poses. Here are 10 great ones to help relieve pain.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Studies of people with OCD have shown that practicing yoga has lead to a reduction in symptoms–resulting in less medication or medication no longer needed.
Constipation. Due to the practice of yoga and overall better posture, the digestive and elimination systems work more efficiently. If the practitioner also has a healthy diet, any constipation will be eliminated through yoga.
Allergies. Using a neti pot to clear the sinuses is an ancient form of yoga to help reduce or eliminate allergy symptoms. Certain types of breathing can also help clear the nasal passages.
Menopause. Yoga practice can help control some of the side effects of menopause. Learn how the bridge pose can help reduce hot flashes here.
Back pain. Yoga reduces spinal compression and helps overall body alignment to reduce back pain. Find a yoga pose to help lessen back pain here.

Thanks Meredith for this great list! Gaileee

Stress Reduction Yoga on Saturday, April 24th at 9 am Port Arthur YMCA

2010-04-21T19:45:00.000-05:00

See you there! $15 drop-in fee, Free for YMCA members!

Consequences of too much stress

2010-04-12T10:33:00.000-05:00

In Jacquelyn Ferguson's "Let your body win - Stress Management Plain and Simple Book" that I picked up at the Nederland Library, she has a list of what consequences there are with too much stress in your life.

Possible consequences of too much stress.

Everybody develops stress symptoms differently. Some people show their stress mostly through physical problems while others exhibit theirs through bad habits, which can lead to physical problems. Here is a list of some of the warning signs that you are under enough stress to be paying consequences. Which of these do you experience?

Physical signs of stress such as
headaches
back pain
indigestion
chronic fatigue syndrome
fibromyalgia

An increase in any bad habit such as
nail biting
smoking
over/under eating
drinking
sleeping
abusing drugs
hair twirling/pulling
excessive TV watching

Emotional and mental symptoms such as
depression
panic attacks
road rage
obsessive worrying

Stress Break #1 - Regular physical exercise. Yoga ranks right at the top of good things you can do for yourself to reduce the harmful effects of stress. It's not the cure-all, but when combined with other healthy practices it can facilitate better health. It's a wonderful way to get the benefits of:

Relaxation and stress reduction: yoga's breathing is instant stress reduction since it's the opposite of the fight/flight shallow breathing.
Chronic illness management: yoga is known to help asthma, depression, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, multiple sclerosis, heart disease, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, and pretty much anything that afflicts humanity.
Greater mental focus.
Mindfulness (being more tuned into your body so you can know when it's trying to send you a message that you need to slow down or fix something).
Increased flexibility and balance: yoga instructors have yo move only as much as is comfortable for you. Gradually you'll find yourself stretching more and more - far beyond where you started. You'll develop greater range of motion, which helps to protect you from injury in other activities.

So come to a gentle beginning yoga class with Gaileee. You'll learn various breathing techniques, stretch, lengthen your muscles, gain better balance and flexibility, and you might laugh a bit too! Monday and Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church, 3515 Helena Avenue, Nederland, Texas.
$5 for Methodist, $8 for non-Methodist. Childcare available upon 24 hour request.

ABC's of Yoga for Kids Book Review

2010-04-11T19:56:00.000-05:00

ABC's of Yoga for Kids - Book Review. Author - Teresa Anne Power, Editor - Brookes Nohlgren and Illustrator - Kathleen Rietz. You can find your copy at this website. http://www.abcyogaforkids.com/

A. Alligator:

Grace really likes to follow either cards or books about yoga. She really only has hit it off with one yoga dvd, and that was when they went through the alphabet. But, hey, she is 3, turning 4.

B. Boat: (Look at that smile on her face!)

B. Boat from the book.

Here she is doing some of the poses from the book, "ABC's of Yoga for Kids". A rather new book, nice verbage around the different poses, and lots of variety in the poses. Lovely illustration too!

B. Butterfly.

Yoga with Gaileee, E-RYT:

Other Yoga offerings in the Golden Triangle (Beaumont, Orange, Port Arthur, Nederland) area

Winter/Spring 2012 Teaching Schedule for Gaileee

Yoga in America - study by Yoga Journal

Prenatal classes in the Beaumont/Port Arthur Texas areas.

New yoga classes starting up!

Yoga and Pilates Vinyasas - Pinterest with Gaileee ERYT

First Things First

AARP and Dr. Oz - 24 hours to a longer life (yup,,,,,yoga!)

Oh No....Mr. Bill Yoga Pose! Gingerbread Yogi Poses.

Gingerbread Yoga People Recipe

Conditions Improved By Yoga, Self Reported - from "Yoga As Medicine" Book by Timothy McCall, M.D.

Yoga for a Stress Free Thanksgiving!!

Tuesday 6:30 PM at the YMCA of Port Arthur, Back Care Yoga with Gaileee

Love Yoga Studio in Beaumont Texas

Yoga Study, shows stretching help lower back pain

RestoraFlow Yoga. Sequences to help ease upper and lower back pain by Sara Varona

Yoga brings unlikely yogis - article from the Port Arthur Newspaper

Port Arthur News article about.....Yoga brings unlikely yogis

Gaileee's - Inhale Yoga Music List - Steve Ross - -

Get Fit While You Sit - Chair Yoga

Seven benefits of yoga for people with either type of MS.

Three myths about back pain (yoga helps!)

Yoga and Adaptive Yoga for MS - Beaumont and Nederland Texas

Practicing Yoga Has Long-Term Benefits, Study Finds

Yoga for Small Spaces by Christine Ristuccia & LynnC Geddes-RYTs & illustrator Charles Beryl

Multiple Sclerosis Yoga - Nederland/Beaumont Texas

1 comments:

ScienceDaily reports: Yoga Reduces Fatigue In Multiple Sclerosis Patients, OHSU Study Finds

Yoga Reduces Fatigue In Multiple Sclerosis Patients, OHSU Study Finds

Hot Flashes and Yoga!

Yoga for MS, Tuesdays at 10 a.m. at Wesley UMC/Nederland Texas

Adaptive Yoga for MS at Health South, Beaumont, Sat., May 14th at 11 a.m.

Dr Oz's Top 10 Daily Essentials!! Love his show!

Be in YogaFit's Newest Ad Campaign! Nothing gets between me and my mat

Exercise During Pregnancy ImageTips from "Desperate Housewives" Actress and Experienced Yoga Practitioner Brenda Strong

Presidental Active Lifestyle Award Promotion - YogaFit

Visionary Women in Fitness Scholarship - YogaFit

YogaFit® May Enthusiasts Newsletter News! Commonly Asked Questions and How to Answer Them:

YogaFit Forum back online!

Go "to" music for Yoga...

The Living Sea: Soundtrack from Imax Film. Music by Sting.Lovely!

Chair Yoga Class with Gaileee

YogaKiddos in Action!

MS Adaptive Yoga - Beaumont & Nederland, Texas

Starting: Tuesday, April 5, 2011. Each Tuesday, 10 to 11:15 a.m. Wesley United Methodist Church, 3515 Helena Avenue, Nederland, Texas 77627. This class is offered exclusively for people living with MS & is free or charge!

Yoga Poses in the Zumba Cool Down

Can Yoga help those with Diabetes? Read on....

Why Yoga helps the heart

Rate your Yoga Teacher

Yoga Kiddos Slide Show from the Yoga Kit for Kids

Yoga Giveaway time! YogaFit Book and YogaFit on the Road CD

Adaptive Yoga for MS - Beaumont / Nederland, Texas.

MT and Roberto Adaptive yoga for MS.

Some other Yogi Cookie Cutters! Wow!

Someone in NYC is super digging my mom's blog!

The Best Shape of your life! Yoga for Fitness & Health Magazine

How to use the Birth Ball in Prenatal Yoga

Adaptive Yoga for Multiple Sclerosis

Baked Ideas, now selling their Yoga Cookie Cutters! Yeah!

Have a pain free delivery....

Fall Yoga Teaching Schedule

Deep Space Nine - Odo - Shapeshifting Yoga

Details on the Benefits of a Regular Yoga Practice

Yoga - Sivananda Cookie Recipe

Teaching Schedule for Fall 2010.

Thank you!

Review of ABC's of Yoga for Kids

Noah's Ark ABC Yoga for Children by Gaileee

Preschooler's enjoying Galactic Blast Yoga!

Now that you've had your baby.....

Prenatal Yoga Poses Handouts!

Prenatal Yoga in Mongolia!

Exercising Through Your Pregnancy - A recommended book

Prenatal Yoga use of Birth Balls in Pregnancy and during Labor

Yoga Giveaway #2 - Beth Shaw's 2nd Edition Signed Book - On Gaileee's Blog

Yoga Giveaway on Gaileee's Blog - yogafit on the road audio CD

YogaFit Give away on Yoga with Gaileee Blog!

When we went to the Zoo by Jan Ormerod

New Yoga Clothes Patterns from OTTOBRE Magazine

The Living Sea: Soundtrack from Imax Film.
Music by Sting.
Lovely!