Supernatural Botanicals

Turns out, yoga does far more for make us limber, it’s also a major libido booster, too.  Yoga improves blood flow to sexual organs, which increases sensation.  Being limber certainly can’t hurt your game in that regard, either.  But more so, being in shape makes you confident in your body and assured with self confidence.  Yoga is a win/win in and out of the bedroom.

For years, Jillian Michaels has come into our homes, teaching us her workout techniques on The Biggest Loser.  How does Jillian keep her near-perfect physique?  Jillian says “I usually go to the gym three to four times a week.  I work out hard when I go.  I just kill it, whether it’s doing kettlebells, mixed martial arts, Spinning classes or power yoga.  I get bored easily, so I need something that’s going to keep me focused.  I mix it up.  Everything I do is a combo of body resistance and cardiovascular endurance.” Jillian’s favorite workout is mixed martial arts.  Her most dreaded workout would be a marathon.  She says “You’re at mile 20, and you have six more to go, and your body is just battered and bleeding and miserable.  I would rather be dead.”

Check out Fitness magazine’s July/August issue to learn more about Jillian Michaels’ signature workout style.

Anyone who has worked out with regularity can confirm this  Harvard study, who reports adults who practice about 27 minutes of mindful activity a day, including gentle yoga and meditation exercises, had a significant increase in gray matter in eight weeks.  Specifically, in the parts of the brain that help regulate emotions and stress.  “We believe that these changes reflect increased brain activity which helps explain why the benefits of practice continue throughout the day.”  Working out simply makes you sharper, quicker on the draw.  It also helps you to deal with stress better, and of course,  be a kinder and better all around person.  It works every single time….so do some mindful activity eight weeks in a row and find out for yourself.  You’ll love the results.

Nothing improves your mood quicker than great music.  Jeff Gold’s Escapes Music for Relaxation is tranquil and relaxing comfort music, ideal for creative inspiration, music therapy, healing, massage, yoga, or just winding down.   We listen to this CD in Supernatural Botanicals’ workshop, and find it to be great music to work to, relaxing the mind and allowing the creative inspiration to flow.  It’s fabulous!  Check out Jeff Gold’s website to listen and purchase to his fantastic music.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAIBxubYUy8v

In addition to daily yoga workouts, Trish swears by circuit training and squats.  “The little secret things I do:  100 Squats.  You’d be surprised how much development can come from doing 100 freestyle squats using your own body weight.”  Trish Stratus, cover girl and wrestling champion, on workout secrets.

Shape magazine rates the Nike Air Max Trainer One ($85 nike.com) as the best for all around gym use.  This shoe is perfect for women who mix things up with cardio, weights and classes.

Shape says this shoe really absorbs the impact of high intensity moves, like jumping jacks, and it’s super firm midsole is ideal for strength training and cardio machines.  The soft pliable uppers never rub or dig into skin and an adjustable forefoot strap keeps your foot in place no matter which direction you move.  Rubber nodes on the outsole provide strong traction.

I’m loving the wide choice of colors offered, and the strap across the midfoot, which holds shoes on tightly (great for hip hop dance and step aerobics.)

If your workout spark is starting to fizzle, torch it back up and excite your senses by adding some new workout clothes or gadgets to your repertoire.  Nothing makes you want to do yoga or Pilates more than a new pair of great-fitting yoga pants and a shape-hugging yoga top, or taking a step class with a new pair of cool gym shoes, or hitting the treadmill with the shortest girly workout shorts you can find.

By a new piece of equipment such as a jump rope, a new workout DVD, a trampoline, a heart rate monitor, resistance bands, a stability ball, or a Bosu ball to peak your workout erogenous zones.  It changes up your routine, keeps it fresh, and keeps you on your A game.

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Yoga pants by Victoria Secret

Did you know that anxiety causes an upsurge in stress hormones that can worsen acne or other skin conditions?

If you skin is prone to breakouts and rashes, it’s time to check your body/mind/soul meter.

It’s scientifically proven that stress can cause skin eruptions and even make you susceptible to deadly  diseases.

If this is happening to you, put yourself on your to-do list and get serious about about having some downtime doing something that relaxes you (yoga or Pilates is so good for this.)  After all, your beauty is at risk here, girlfriend.

Because your entire body makes contact with your yoga mat, it’s something you’ll want to keep very, very clean.  And because your yoga mat makes contact with the floor, especially the gym floor (eck!), you’ll want to be extra vigilant in keeping your yoga mat clean. 

You can avoid germs and dirt by folding your yoga mat in half before you roll it up after a workout.  That way, you’ll avoid getting “yuck” on the side you pose on.  Remember, your face comes in contact with the mat in Chaturanga pose and in pigeon pose….think about that the next time you lay your mat down on the floor.   A simple Clorox wipe to the entire mat will also keep your yoga mat clean and germ-free.   Let the mat dry completely before rolling it up after cleaning.