Ohhh, now that looks impressive!

Bearing this in mind, today I thought I’d share the latest development in Yoga… Antigravity Aerial Yoga!  Like me, you’ve probably had a moment of “thank goodness I don’t have to try and do that!!!”  Because, no, at this stage we don’t offer it at Geelong’s Gym… but you never know what the future may bring!

I’m sure the photos have piqued your interest, so I’ll tell you a little bit about it.

Antigravity Aerial Yoga works by using special hammocks, which act as a trapeze and support you while you do some pretty incredible Yoga poses.

Why put yourself through this? Originally designed for athletes and gymnasts, it has been modified for the every day person to provide a complete workout and align the body from head to toe.  Plus, apparently it’s a great deal of fun.

If you haven’t tried Yoga before, why not come along and try one of our many classes (we promise they all take place on the floor!)?  You can check out our timetable here.

]]> http://www.geelongsgym.com.au/blog/2011/09/who-would-have-thought-antigravity-aerial-yoga/feed/ 7 http://www.geelongsgym.com.au/blog/2011/03/stress-buster-workout/ http://www.geelongsgym.com.au/blog/2011/03/stress-buster-workout/#comments Sun, 20 Mar 2011 00:17:07 +0000 Gerard Spriet http://www.geelongsgym.com.au/blog/?p=1075 Have you been feeling a little stressed lately?  Now that the silly season is well and truly over and it’s life back to normal… the same old pressures encroach again and as usual there’s not enough time to get everything done.

Upward Dog - just part of a great stress buster workout!

Instead of reaching for a big glass of red wine to help you relax, why not try a Yoga class?  Trust me, it’s the best stress buster around!  In fact, research shows yoga reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol and brings about a decidedly chilled state of mind.

Plus, it has some other great benefits:

• A gentle yoga workout several times a week can significantly reduce lower back pain.
• Yoga makes you happier – research has shown the feel-good brain chemical GABA increased by 27% after 60 minutes of Yoga.
• Interestingly, a study in America has found a strong association between Yoga and mindful eating, so if you’re having trouble sticking to the new diet, try doing Yoga regularly.

Why not come along and give a Yoga class a go… our timetable is packed full of stress buster workouts!

But here’s the thing, change is inevitable and that’s just the case with Yoga and men.  In recent times, Yoga has become the new cross-training for men who want to increase their flexibility and improve their muscle conditioning.  Why?  Well, if you play sport, wouldn’t it be great to be able to bend your body into above mentioned nearly impossible positions?!

Still not convinced?  Here are some excellent ways men can benefit from Yoga:

I'm sure this picture more accurately depicts than words how much of a workout Yoga can give a man

1.  Yoga works the entire body.  Did you know, in sports like football you only utilise approximately 10-15% of the body, whereas Yoga provides a workout which covers every muscle, joint and organ.

2.  Yoga has benefits in the bedroom.  Guarasana, or the Eagle Pose, is a posture which sends fresh blood and oxygen to the sexual organs, so this is a particularly beneficial exercise for men in revitalising their bedroom prowess!

3.  Yoga works for every size.  It doesn’t matter how you look when you practise Yoga, it will push your personal boundaries by increasing your flexibility, endurance and muscle strength.

4.  Yoga decreases muscle soreness.  Yoga is hugely beneficial in working out stiffness from other sports.  When muscles are fatigued, it stretches and releases tension.  Runners in particular find Yoga the best activity after a long endurance run.

5.  Yoga restores energy levels.  Rather than depleting all of your energy, Yoga actually increases your vigour, making you feel more aware and revitalised.

6.  Yoga trains your focus.  By combining mental, physical and emotional strength you can become a better athlete in your chosen sport.  Generally, men struggle to let their egos go, but in Yoga you train your mind to shut down and can, therefore, more easily focus it when you need to.

7.  Yoga flushes your system.  If you’ve been drinking a little too much lately, Yoga is the perfect way to rid yourself of all those pent-up toxins.

So there you have it.  Seven fantastic reasons why men should start doing Yoga.  And if you’re still not convinced, some famous men have practised Yoga to heighten their sporting performance: Wayne Gretzky, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and John McEnroe to name but a few.

So guys, why not give it a go.  To find out more about Yoga at Geelong’s Gym, click here.

But here’s the good news.  You can still take care of your fitness while taking care of your baby, you just need to adapt to the changes of your body.

What exercise you can do while pregnant will depend largely on your fitness level, which trimester you’re in and, of course, how you’re feeling.  And the best thing about being pregnant at Geelong’s Gym, is if one cardio machine or strength exercise isn’t comfortable, there are always plenty more to try.

You may find it’s a little harder to get motivated, but rest assured the extra effort is well worth it.  Consistent exercise during pregnancy has some huge payoffs such as:

You can keep your fitness level up throughout your pregnancy

• Minimizing aches and constipation
• Help you sleep better
• Lower the risk of gestational diabetes and depression
• Can result in a shorter, less complicated labour
• 35% decrease in the need for pain relief during labour
• 50% less likely to be induced and require intervention in labour
• 75% decrease in the need for forcep deliveries and caesarean sections
• Help you get your body back more quickly after delivery!

One of the most important things to remember is to not let your heart rate get over 140.  This may eliminate some of your favourite classes, although if you’re careful it doesn’t have to.  Make sure you tell the Class Instructor you’re pregnant and they’ll tell you how to keep your intensity and range of motion at a suitable level.

However, there are also some classes which are fantastic for pregnant women:

• Pilates – Pilates helps maintain your abdominal muscle tone, which will support your growing belly, minimize back pain and give you more oomph for pushing during labour.
• Yoga – Yoga is fantastic for strengthening your core and improving your flexibility, pluys because of its gentle movements and emphasis on breathing and meditation, it helps foster a sense of calm.

And don’t forget to keep up your weights program.  Why not invest in a Personal Trainer during this time and allow them to guide you through the correct exercises, which will increase your fitness and keep your body in shape, while keeping your unborn baby safe.

That last part probably sounds like a bold claim but I can assure you it’s not without foundation.  As you know, I like to find new pieces of information or perspective to broaden your thoughts on lots of different topics.  So, I’ve got a great video for you today which will substantiate my claim.

Angie Hilton, a Geelong’s Gym member and health and fitness enthusiast, asks Linda Newman, one of the Yoga Instructors here at Geelong’s Gym, to explain why she got into Yoga in the first place and the massive change that it made to her life.

This is truly inspirational and I’m sure will convince you of the benefits Yoga can have to your health, fitness and well-being.  But I’ll let Linda take over from here…

So why not come along to Geelong’s Gym and try one of our Yoga classes – you’ll love how it makes you feel afterwards!