Why Dynamic Stretching Rocks: Get Rid Of Your “The Fuzz”

February 23, 2012

kukhahnyoga Yoga , , , 3 Comments

You just have to watch the video I’ve posted above by Gil Hedley on fascia, stretching and what he calls “The Fuzz”.

“The Fuzz”?

Yes, the fuzz!

(nutshell) “The fuzz” is fascia, and it grows on us at night like moss on an old log. It needs stretching and that’s why yoga feels so darn good.

You see, I fell in love with yoga for the same reason most people fall in love with yoga. (No, it’s not so I have an excuse to prance around all day in stretchy pants instead of real clothes, although that is a definite perk!)That absolutely scrumptious feeling of juicy stretchiness after a few rounds of Surya Namaskara-ing and good ‘ol down dogging.

Aaaahh.

So what causes that feeling and why does it feel so darn delicious anyways?

Well for one thing we are feeling some stretch in our muscles wich release endorphins. Secondly we are stretching the fascia which is connective tissue that actually encases our muscles (The mossy fuzz stuff I was telling you about, it encases our muscles kinda like a thin sock on a foot.)

Here Jill Miller of Yoga Tune Up describes this process and why dynamic stretching is so important…

“When we move our bodies fully, encouraging motion into every joint and muscle fiber in the body, we aid in loosening up adhesions that regularly grow between the sliding surfaces of muscles all over our body. When we are stagnant, we literally grow internal moss all over our musculature. This “inner moss” is fascia, an important connective tissue webbing that strings our body together. However, fascia can grow like an inner scab over places in our body that are not utilized for movement. Sometimes this is helpful, for example in protecting a muscle that has been injured. However, fascia does not distinguish between an injured muscle and a “lazy” or underused muscle. It will just grow and continue to restrict movement unless it is regularly mobilized, as in a massage or specific motions that help activate heat and stretch within the muscles, tendons and connective tissues.

When we dynamically stretch away our restrictions by breaking apart our tension areas, we feel better physiologically and psychologically!”

So keep it moving and stay moss free!

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Caribbean Yoga Retreat on the Island of Aruba with Brock and Krista Cahill June 30th-July 7th

February 21, 2012

kukhahnyoga Retreats & Workshops , , , , Leave a comment

How About Working On Your Handstand In Paradise?

Join Brock and Krista Cahill for their annual yoga retreat! It is going to be AMAZING! I am once again honored and tremendously excited to be one of their lovely assistants along with my friend Gina Jang and Marysia Weiss of the Hot and Healthy Blog. This year they are headed to Aruba June 30th – July 7th. Only a couple of spots remain, so be sure to sign up soon! More information below:

aruba brock krista The Ultimate Island Getaway Retreat w/ Brock & Krista Cahill | June 30th July 7th in Aruba

Retreat to Aruba w/ Brock & Krista Cahill

June 30th – July 7th

Year after year we set out on different adventures in life. Brock and Krista are passionate about 3 things: Yoga, Community and the Ocean.  Their Yoga retreat will be a celebration and a braiding of these three elements woven into a fine tapestry of laughter and handstands.  Early registration is required, so don’t hesitate to save the datesJune 30th, to July 7th 2012.

This year’s retreat will be held on the quintessential desert island, Aruba…

Aruba is known for it’s miles of pristine white beaches that rank among the most beautiful in the world. One of Aruba’s most charming traits is the perfect weather.

Brock and Krista  will offer twice daily yoga practices (6/30 evening practice only, 7/7 morning practice before brunch and departure) in a shaded, ocean front pavilion with a brand-new wooden floor!  The retreat center offers props and yoga mats for your convenience.

After your morning session each day we will have a full brunch, which is included.  Two dinners at the resort are also included in the cost below; the first evening we will dine together at the retreat as a group, this will give everyone a chance to rest after a full day of travel; the second dinner gathering will be on July 4th, as a celebration of our Independence and Community. The remaining dinners will be discovering the many amazing local cafe’s on the island.

They will be arranging different optional day trips to towns and deserted islands to snorkel, dive and explore.  Shopping, gambling, nature and late night clubs are also just a short cab ride away from our resort, there will be many opportunities to shake a leg!

aruba night The Ultimate Island Getaway Retreat w/ Brock & Krista Cahill | June 30th July 7th in Aruba

Pricing

There are two tiers of rooms: Ocean View and Garden View (roundtrip airport transfers are included, airfare is not)

Ocean View Rooms:

Single occupancy- $3,300.00

Double occupancy- $2,300.00

Garden View Rooms:

Single occupancy- $3,000.00

Double occupancy- $,1850.00

aruba retreats yoga The Ultimate Island Getaway Retreat w/ Brock & Krista Cahill | June 30th July 7th in Aruba

For more information and registration, email krista@kristacahill.com

Handstand Help with Briohny Smyth

February 20, 2012

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Need some help with Handstand? Watch this tutorial with Briohny Smyth. (thanks Yogis Anonymous for this video) !

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Yoga Inversions: Step 1 – Do The Work!

February 18, 2012

kukhahnyoga Yoga , , , , 4 Comments

From Fear To Fun

How does one go about conquering their fear of inversions?

Just do it.

That is to say in yoga, as in life itself, there are no shortcuts.

You have to do the work.

I heard a teacher tell that to a student last week when asked how to get better at a pose and it made the whole room laugh. Mostly because he acknowleged thst on some level we are all looking for a shortcut. A way to conquer our fears that is less difficult, less confronting, and of course quicker.

While there are certainly guidelines and principles that will guide you in being more efficient with your efforts, nothing can take the place of simply stepping onto your mat and doing the work.

Unrolling your mat is half of the battle.

There is a very true saying that goes “Where your attention goes prana flows”. In order to wake up “sleepy”  places inside our bodies we have to visit them. We must go about  reawakening them over and  over again.

It is scary. It kinda feels like walking out to the edge of a cliff and hanging ten of the side preparing for a high dive.

In order for it to feel second nature you have to go to that place where it is no longer comfortable or safe.

This is where the breath comes in. The breath keeps us in our bodies. It keeps us in the moment. It keeps us steady, easy and consistent.

Without the wisdom and guidance of the breath we also may become overly ambitious thrashing about unwittingly without proper limitations. The breath keeps us grounded, sensitive and aware.

photo credit: Marysia Weiss of The Hot and Healthy Blog. Photo by Jasper Johal

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  ”Bliss Mix” Partner Yoga Workshop with Aimee Donahue and Angela Kukhahn

February 2, 2012

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 Angela Kukhahn portrait
“Bliss Mix” Partner Yoga Workshop with Angela Kukhahn and Aimee Donahue
Sat Date: 2/11/2012 From: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Price: $20

Do you enjoy getting adjustments in yoga class; for example, a nice push on your lower back in child’s pose? Have you ever noticed that with a little assistance you can often go deeper and get more enjoyment out of most yoga poses? If so, you have already experienced the benefits of partner yoga. Making friends in yoga class has many advantages outside of just having a friend to spot you in a handstand kickup in the center of the room however, it’s just plain FUN! Join Angela Kukhahn and Aimee’ Donahue for a memorable night of yoga, play, and a chance to get to know your fellow yogis a little bit better. This class is ALL levels and is part yoga class, part mixer. Come alone or bring a friend, doesn’t really matter as there will be a lot of mixing! Doing yoga poses with a partner can be a little uncomfortable at first, but also can be a great way to deepen your poses and your connection to others. Come with an open mind and a sense of play!

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Yoga By Equinox Parody Video = Hilarious

January 28, 2012

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Yoga By Equinox Parody Video = Hilarious

If you saw the amazing video I posted of my friend Briohny Smyth doing yoga in a video for Equinox fitness you will get a good laugh out of this “Equi-not” as he calls it yoga video parody by humorist Michael A. Stusser.

To his credit also Michael gave an interview with magazine Well and Good in NYC  which is totally worth the read in which he discusses the controversy surrounding the  Equinox video with Briohny Smyth and give’s his take on the situation.

For those of you too busy (or let’s be real…lazy) to click on the link above I’ll give you the short version of what he said to the people being negative .

STOP WHINING!

Just because she is wearing underwear doesn’t take anything away from how beautiful and talented she is or how amazing the video is.

ZIP IT!

I couldn’t agree more.

Thanks Michael Stusser!

Enjoy the video!

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Yoga and Fitness Streamed LIVE: CNN Gives Yogis Anonymous a Shout Out!

January 19, 2012

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Anita Avalos enjoys yoga via Yogis Anonymous at home!

I was so stoked to see Yogis Anonymous get a mention on CNN for their LIVE streaming yoga classes!

What could be better than fitness and yoga brought to you in the comforts of your own home? CNN gives a shout out to streaming LIVE online classes, because let’s face it watching the  same ‘ol DVD gets pretty darn boring!

I grew up in the sticks where the nearest yoga studio or gym was a good 30min drive and the few class times they offered were either the wrong level inconvenient times for me. Forget about getting to take from a variety of instructors and styles it was very limited as far as choices go.

So there I was with my videos. Boooooorrrrring. I knew the tapes so well I would tell the jokes before the instructor…things were a bit stale to say the least!

Another place I lived I would drive an hour and fifteen minutes to my yoga classes. Needless to say my yoga practice suffered. I couldn’t always make it to class so I would do my yoga at home. Unfortunately my home practice lacked enthusiasm and soon begun to feel like a chore. Flash forward to me now living in the yoga land of plenty Los Angeles a.k.a. “Mecca” so to speak for yogis everywhere.

Interestingly enough I still find there are times where I am not able to make it to my favorite teachers/classes and feel so lucky to be able to do a fresh practice online with some truly amazing teachers!

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Badass Yoga Video: Briohny Smyth Inspires Us To Get On The Yoga Mat

January 14, 2012

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Badass Yoga Video: Briohny Smyth Inspires Us To Get On The Yoga Mat

Wanna see something badass? Watch the video above of my friend yoga teacher Briohny Smyth doing an incredible yoga video for Equinox Fitness.

This video is inspiring because it’s like watching two old people holding hands as the walk down the street, it shows love and commitment. I think maybe what inspires me the most however is that it shows a continual curiosity.

Yoga is endless.

Just when you think you’ve mastered one aspect of it, trust me you’ve only just begun.

I often liken my yoga practice to a relationship. If you ever find yourself in a long relationship regardless of how amazing you or the other person is you will probably feel bored at one point or another. It makes me want to cringe just saying it, because part of me does not want to accept that to be true.

However, the good news is, you don’t have to be. See, boredom is the assumption that there is nothing left to know, there is nothing new. This is never true. You can never know anyone completely, because they are always evolving with every breath. You just have to be curious. Dig deeper. The same goes for yoga, you will never know everything about yoga. In fact, the more you know, the more you know you don’t know. So cliché’ yet so true. Hopefully this video makes you peel back the curtain and be curious. Roll out your yoga mat and gaze at it like a newfound lover. Get curious.

Yoga for the New Year: Try Something New this Time!

January 7, 2012

kukhahnyoga Guest Blogger, Yoga , , , , Leave a comment

Mackenzie Miller of The Hot and Healthy Blog doing anti-gravity yoga!

Try something new this time

by guest blogger  Allison Brooks

Every time around this year, it never fails.  You hear people talking about their New Year’s Resolutions and how they are going to stick to them this year. It is the same ole same, but why not try something new for a change. Instead of hitting the gym daily, and depriving yourself of chocolate and carbs, why not grab a friend and go to a yoga class. I know, I know, you are probably thinking, “but I can’t even do the splits” but that is why yoga is perfect for anyone. There are so many types of yoga that there is one out there for you. Trust me. Below I listed three alternative forms of yoga to help get the ball rolling.

One fun alternative is AcroYoga. This form of yoga combines acrobatics, healing arts, and traditional yoga poses to create a fun and balanced class. Since the poses are based on the effort of two people, it is a great way to set a goal with a friend or significant other. A “base” and a “flyer” perform aerial poses to rejuvenate the body’s energy and build/tone muscle mass. It fun class to take at the end of busy week when you want to let loose and have fun, while getting a good workout.

Another great “end-of-the-workweek” yoga is laughter yoga. Though there is not much traditional asanas associated with it, the mental and spiritual effects are compared to the mainstream yoga. Laughter yoga is a great stress reliever and core-toner. It is sweeping studios and nursing homes by storm because it helps a person “let-go” or issues and boosts morale. Many elderly patients have adopted laughter yoga as well as people with aggressive cancer diagnoses, like a non-hodgkin’s lymphoma or mesothelioma prognosis.

AntiGravity yoga is another form that is a fun twist to traditional yoga practices. Students get to perform poses hanging and stretching from a silky hammock attached to the ceiling. It is a very physically intense yoga and is a great way to really work that upper body, get tone and reenergize the mind-body connection. AntiGravity yoga combines Pilates, dance, calisthenics, and acrobatics with traditional asanas to create a fun alternative yoga.

So as the New Year creeps up, try and set a goal that is not based on the gym. Yoga studios are always welcoming to new students. You will reach your goals while becoming a better you, inside and out.

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Five Ways To Stay Fit And Sane During The Holiday Season

December 23, 2011

kukhahnyoga Articles, Yoga , , , , , , 1 Comment

Here Are A Few Simple Ways To Stay Fit, Feel Great And Maintain Your Sanity During The Holidays.

Do holidays leave you feeling drained and flabby?

Even the best intentions sometimes get laid to waste during the eggnog-fueled, candy-ridden, hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Not to mention the guilt that sometimes goes along with turning down another slice of grandma’s pie,…that oh, by the way, she baked especially for you!

Overindulgence is practically synonymous with the holiday season and sometimes a source for a great deal of anxiety for those of us who still want to slip into the same size yoga pants at the end of all the craziness.

Is that vain?

Sure, I will admit to a little vanity, but why does love have to come with love-handles?

I mean surely there is a way to stay sane, and fit and leave everyone at home feeling loved without busting your pocket-book or the seams on your favorite yoga pants. Below are some of my favorite strategies…

  1. Lend A Helping Hand In The Kitchen. Yogis don’t complain, they pitch in and help out. Roll up your sleeves and help out a  little! Is there a farmers market near mom’s? Great! Buy some fresh veggies and introduce them to some exciting new dishes! With a little effort your family will soon be having a love affair with Kale and even better mr. fatty mashed potatoes  will have to make room for some new friends on the dining room table.
  2. Make Fitness A Family Affair. So you can’t convince your mom to turn on the stove full blast and crank the heat in the house so you can make her place into your own personal hot yoga studio? Don’t despair. Baby steps  lil’ yoga tiger! If your family isn’t into yoga try taking them on a brisk morning walk, sledding, ice-skating or any other calorie-busting activity that is fun and gets everybody moving.
  3. Tricks Are For Kids…And Bored Grown-Ups! Sometimes you must have a few tricks up your sleeve to grab people’s interest. If it seems impossible to get your “too-cool-for-school” teen-age cousin to try a yoga class try teaching him how to balance on his hands in crow pose. Can’t get your mom to go with you to your morning vinyasa yoga class? Try teaching her cat-cow after a long day of shopping to loosen up tight lower back muscles. You get the idea….
  4. Redefine Your Idea Of A Workout. Stir crazy? Before the hamster in your head runs off of its wheel get up off of your tuckus and DO something! Shovel snow, rake leaves, or help your mom re-organize the garage. Focusing on how you can be of service or seva (self-less service) doesn’t have to be completely self-less to earn you some good karma points…and you will feel great doing it too!
  5. Stay Present And Practice Gratitude. Let’s face it, the holidays are a total sensory overload. I promise though that drinking yourself silly or trying to get grounded by gnawing your way through a pile of stuffing is not the answer. Wake up early to carve out some time for yourself or step away from the din once in a while to practice gratitude. Sure, your family isn’t perfect and things are chaotic. Sometimes it may feel like you are being swept up in holiday that focuses on draining your pocketbook and adding another digit to your pant size. However, at the heart of the holiday season is an opportunity to re-connect with loved ones and be grateful for the families we’ve been given. Whether they are blood relatives or just a motley bunch of characters that are dear to our hearts, the holidays are about bonding with your family. Take a moment to remember why you braved holiday traffic, long airport lines and general holiday insanity in the first place. Reconnect to the true meaning of the holiday season. Breathe, count your blessings, review the things you LOVE about each family member, and then get out there and spread the love!

Here’s To Happy Holidays, Family, Sanity and Staying Fit!

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