Health-Fitness
« Previous Entries Tuesday, April 2nd, 2013Naked Ballet Exercises 3 (Naked Yoga School)
( Level: Intermediate) Building upon tendus, we will add a new movement- degage, which means to disengage. This is a tendu where the toes leave the floor, as opposed to a tendu where the working leg stays in contact with the floor at all times. We will also build upon plies, or a bend of the [...]
Naked Ballet Exercises 2 (Naked Yoga School)
( Level: Intermediate) In this video, we will go over a few ballet concepts that focus on strengthening and building better technique and balance, namely plies and tendus. A plie, or bend of the knees, is a building block of ballet; plies are used to initiate and terminate many movements. Tendus are a brush against the [...]
Naked Ballet Exercises 1: Arm and Leg Positions (Naked Yoga School)
(Level: Intermediate) In this brief video, we will go over a few concepts that are crucial to understanding ballet. We will go over the arm and leg positions, and proper posture. It is much more worthwhile to focus on doing a movement correctly to one’s best ability, rather than forcing turn-out or bigger movements. Start [...]
Naked DIY Yoga Props 4: Supported Wheel with a Stool (Naked Yoga School)
(Advanced & Intermediate Level) Wheel (Inverted Bow) is one of the most recognizable shapes in yoga. Many of us rush into the pose, wanting to be able to tell ourselves that we can successfully take on the challenge. But using an adjustable stool as a prop helps us learn patience and proper form. Beginning with [...]
Naked DIY Yoga Props 3: Deep Openers with a Necktie (Naked Yoga School)
(All Levels) Who knew that a necktie could be such a great yoga prop? In today’s slow, stretchy class, we use a necktie to work deep into the muscles of inner and outer thigh and hamstring. Next, grab a partner to assist you into the most relaxing bridge and downward dog variations you’ll ever experience. [...]
Naked DIY Yoga Props 2: Bringing the Floor to You with Books (Naked Yoga School)
(Intermediate Level) Standing twisted positions like reverse triangle and low lunge twists are detoxifying and strengthening, but the tricky alignment of the hips and shoulder can sabotage the pose. In today’s class, we use four to six thick books in lieu of overpriced foam yoga blocks. We will show you how to fix common alignment issues [...]
Naked DIY Yoga Props 1: Strengthening Series with Tennis Ball Wrist Supports (Naked Yoga School)
(All Levels) In yoga, we spend a lot of time bearing weight on our hands. For beginners – and even for some advanced practitioners – that can translate to stiffness and soreness in the wrists. During today’s class we learn a series of yoga-based exercises that will strengthen your core and improve your overall practice. You [...]
Naked Robotic Dance 14: Adding Robotics and Freestyle (Naked Yoga School)
(Intermediate) Now that we have come to an end of this series, we will find a way to combine all of the things we have learned- Cobra style, Waving, Snaking, Slow Motion- as well as adding in Robotics. If robotics is new to you, it is another street style that focuses on start/stop isolations in [...]
Naked Robotic Dance 13: Slow Motion Meditation (Naked Yoga School)
(All Levels) This is the simplest in terms of movement, but possibly the most challenging exercise in this series. The Slow Motion dance style is very unique, and reminds me of meditative walking present in many cultures. I recommend using a yoga mat, or setting an “end” point on any non-slippery surface about 6 feet [...]
Naked Robotic Dance 12: Body Waves (Naked Yoga School)
(Intermediate Level) Now that we have learned waving for the arms and snaking, the next natural step is body waves! It is recommended that you use a yoga mat or other non-slippery surface to stand on. It is recommended that you watch the videos on waving arms and snaking before this video. There are many, [...]
Naked Robotic Dance 11: Snaking Movement (Naked Yoga School)
(All Levels) Another continuous motion style is Snaking- you can visualize how a snake moves along leading with its head to understand where this style gets its name! It is recommended that you use a yoga mat or other non-slippery surface to stand on, and to start with smaller, controlled movements closer to your center [...]
Naked Robotic Dance 10: Cobra Arms(Naked Yoga School)
(All levels) Building upon waving arms, we will add arm movements to cobra isolations of the torso and hips. It is recommended that you do not practice in front of a mirror, and that you use a yoga mat or other non-slippery surface to stand on. We will build up from natural movement, so it [...]
Naked Robotic Dance 9: Waving Arms (Naked Yoga School)
(All Levels) Using movements from another dance style in street dance, we will find other ways to move and become more aware of our bodies. We will focus on arm waves, and what is an “in” wave vs. an “out” wave, and how breathing comes into play. It is recommended that you do not practice [...]
Naked Robotic Dance 8: Isolations in Cobra Style (Naked Yoga School)
(All Levels) In this series, we will be focusing on the beneficial aspects of certain dance moves; we will not be focusing on how we look when dancing, but rather how we feel. It is recommended that you do not watch yourself in a mirror, and that you use a yoga mat or other non-slippery surface [...]
Naked Weight Loss Yoga 5: Compassionate Journey (Naked Yoga School)
(LEVEL: Beginners) We begin with sun salutations to center ourselves and warm up. This is followed with core strengthening poses plow and shoulder stand. In addition to working the core these traditional poses work the endocrine system stimulating the necessary hormones to promote weight loss. These poses also ask us to come to terms with [...]
Naked Weight Loss Yoga 4: Loving Ourselves (Naked Yoga School)
(LEVEL: Beginners) Sun salutations are a joyful way to burn calories while lifting our spirits. There is a strong relationship between stress and unhappiness and weight gain. Yoga is brilliant for weight loss because it not only works the body but it also works the spirit. Again we explore further options for reducing that troublesome [...]
Naked Weight Loss Yoga 3: Rediscovering the Joy of Movement (Naked Yoga School)
(LEVEL: Beginners) Sun salutations are highly beneficial for promoting circulation and weight loss and should be incorporated into any yoga routine which is being done to support weight loss. In this video we modify the sun salutation to have additional calorie burning benefits. Again we address the troublesome belly area with plank and side plank pose. [...]
Naked Weight Loss Yoga 2: Exploring the Core (Naked Yoga School)
(LEVEL: Beginners) Rediscovering or embracing our innate love of movement is one of the greatest outcomes of embarking on a journey to transform your body. This practice is intended to mindfully create awareness to release the excess weight around our mid sections which compromises our lower back and joints). In this video we explore the sun [...]
Naked Robotic Dance 3: Intro to Robotic Movement (Naked Yoga School)
(Level: Super Beginner) Robotics is a form of street dance that became popular in the late 1960′s, with Michael Jackson bringing it more into mainstream culture from the underground dance scene. It involves movement with definite stops, called DIME STOPS. Robotic movement is the foundation to most other styles- popping, waving, cobra, snaking, tutting… once [...]
Naked Yin Yoga 7: Writer’s Pose – Sphinx and Seal (Naked Yoga School)
(All levels) Yin Yoga is a quiet practice where poses can be done independently or in a sequence which fits in really well to a writer’s practice. Known for their odd and long hours in a seated position incorporating a writer can often find themselves blocked physically and mentally. Sphinx and Seal are excellent poses [...]
Friday, February 10th, 2012Naked Yin Yoga 6: Channeling the Dragon (Naked Yoga School)
(All levels) According to Chinese mythology the Dragon indicates good luck and strength. The practice of the Dragon allows the practitioner to address the challenges which physically manifest themselves in the hips thus placing the Practitioner in the unique position of simultaneously embodying the spirit of the Dragon and the spirit of the knight who [...]
Naked Robotic Dance 2: Adding the Feet to Robotics (Naked Yoga School)
(Level: Super Beginner) The last video, we learned how to isolate either the head or arms in the robotic style; now, we will begin to use the feet. Again, do not worry what this looks like yet; the focus of this is to get the FEEL of it! The feet in robotics never lift off [...]
Naked Robotic Dance 1: Arms and head in Robotics (Naked Yoga School)
(Level: Super Beginner) Robotics is the foundation of all styles related to popping. It is a great way for dancers and non-dancers to build better body awareness, mental acuity, and muscle control. The focus of this exercise is to isolate different parts of the body while leaving all other parts of the body motionless; a [...]
Naked Yoga School (Trailer)
Naked Yoga School is a weekly online yoga instructional video series where you will be guided through nude asana sequences in the privacy of your own home. The series was developed with unity in mind and with the aim for each participant to reconnect with themselves and others in an open way. Removing your clothes in [...]
Saturday, December 24th, 2011Naked Yin Yoga 5: Salute to the Self (Naked Yoga School)
(All levels) Yin Yoga is a quiet practice which allows the practitioner to increase their level of self awareness through the retention of positions for up to five minutes. Stillness is a profound teacher. The Yin practice is an exploration of stillness from a variety of different perspectives. Unlike traditional seated meditation, where the mind [...]
Beginners Naked Hatha Yoga 5 (Naked Yoga School)
(Beginners & All levels) Here we explore some basic, but powerful hip opening asanas and movements. Hip opening is another layer that I feel is essential for a successful yoga practice. The hips hold so much information and are the bridge between our lower body and upper body. Opening the hips allows us to feel [...]
Nine More Months till Bathing Suit Season! (Naked Yoga School)
(All Levels) Nine months! Nine years! Nine lifetimes! At the end of the day having a belly does not really matter. In fact a belly is far more sweet then a terrifying fitness model with a six pack!!! Still, if we dig beneath the surface and the barrage of ads focussing on the cosmetic aspect of [...]
Beginners Naked Hatha Yoga 4 (Naked Yoga School)
(Beginners & All levels) Here we move into standing poses supporting strength building, focus and balance. Balancing is important for finding our ground, they build focus, core strength and are helpful for developing proper alignment awareness. I feel they are an essential part of a dynamic yoga practice. In this series we explore two basic [...]
Naked Yin Yoga 4: Dragonflies and Frogs (Naked Yoga School)
(All Levels) This practice is intended to focus on the front and back of the groin area. The dragonfly is a deep hip stretch which also addresses the lower back and the hamstrings. Practitioners are asked to let go of presumptions and judging where they should be and to accept where they are and melt [...]
Beginners Naked Hatha Yoga 3 (Naked Yoga School)
(Beginners & All levels) Here we continue the journey into the basic postures. We move into the seated forward bend (Paschimottanasana) and the basic seated twist (ardha matsyendrasana). Forward folding is complementary to back bending. The forward fold is great for calming the mind and it reduces vata (wind) and tones the kidneys. Make sure [...]