Monday Workout: Stealth Abs

This week, we are sneaking in extra abdominal work.  It’s obvious in the plank jacks and the Russian twists, but by putting our step ups (optionally!) on the Bosu, we add instability that requires abdominal use.  Similarly, when we do pushups, the work we do with our abdominals enables us to work our arms and chest better.  Three rounds.

step ups/Bosu step ups	30
squats	20
pushups	10
mountain climbers	30
upright rows	20
dips	10
plank jacks	30
overhead press	20
Russian twist	10

Friday Book Report: Yoga Anatomy

I have read quite a few anatomy books.  Yoga Anatomy by Leslie Kaminoff and Amy Matthews approaches the subject from a yogic perspective without neglecting the science.  They give an overview of the skeletal and muscular systems, discuss the anatomy of breathing, and then analyze what is happening anatomically in yoga poses.  One thing I particularly like about their take is this attitude toward improvement:  “Increasing flexibility and strength is a process of reeducating the nervous system through conscious attention and practice as much as it is about stretching and repetitions” (p. 63).

There is more detail than most people who show up to yoga class probably want, but there has been much food for thought for me as a movement professional.  I see lots to apply and ponder in this book.

Also, there are great illustrations.

Cardio therapy

When my younger son was little, he had some trouble controlling his temper.  Walking was one of the only things that helped him.  (Sadly, he had no sense of direction, so he could not go walk alone, which was what really helped, but that’s another story.)

I know he’s not the only one who finds exercise, and cardio in particular, a balm for the emotional upheaval of life.  Running from our problems may not work, but running may help solve them.

Take that heartache on a hike, that frustration to the gym, that anger to dance class.