Fitness with G2

The only instructional mats and fitness systems that depict every important stretch position and strengthening exercise. Physician–certified and portable, each G2 Lifestyles Program is essential for maximizing personal fitness and keeping your body injury–free. Whatever your level of activity or choice of sport, these unique patent-pending, eco–friendly mats position you for peak comfort and performance.

Made of 100% recyclable Eco-friendly materials and a thick cushion, bacteria resistant, washable, non-slip surface design, these mats are physician certified to shape your body, mind, and soul.

The Yoga, Golf, Pilates, General Stretch, Back Stretch, Abs, Maternity, and Children’s Yoga mats are all carefully contrived to increase the quality of life. The Yoga Pose fitness program is designed to relax and energize; the Golf Stretch program helps athletes play better and live healthier; the Pilates Personal program works from the core of your body to achieve a lean, healthy body; the General Stretch program is designed to increase overall flexibility to maximize personal fitness and keep your body injury free over time; the Back Stretch program is designed to strengthen back muscles and increase overall flexibility to keep your back injury free over time; the Ab-Fit program strengthens the abdominal region to give your stomach definition and power your body from the core; the Maternity Yoga program allows women to enjoy the benefits of yoga while pregnant; and last but not least, the Children’s Yoga program, which is soon to come, is equipped with an interactive animated DVD that promotes being active and decreasing obesity at an early age.

For more information on G2 Fitness and their products, please visit www.g2fit.com.

Laughter Yoga

Laughter Yoga (from Yogamatrixstudio)

Laughter yoga is an innovative stress solution. Laugh for no reason, but for good reason.

Laughter is fundamental.

10 Good Reasons to Laugh

1. Laughter is a stress buster - it reduces the levels of stress hormones epinephrine an cortisol.

2. Laughter strengthens the immune system - the immune system is important in maintaining good health by keeping infections, allergies and cancers at bay.

  Recent research into the effects of laughter by Dr. Lee S Berk, professor at Loma Linda University, CA, demonstrates that laughter will increase the count of natural killer cells (NK cells-a type of white cells) and antibody levels.

  Laughter therapy helps to increase antibodies (Immunoglobulin A) in the mucous of the nose and respiratory passages.

3. Laughter is anti-aging

  It tones facials muscles and expressions

  Laughter causes an increase in blood supply to the face, which is why some people look flushed. this nourishes the skin  and makes it glow.

  People look younger and have more fun when they laugh.

4. Laughter is an aerobic exercise - it stimulates the heart and blood circulation and is equivalent to any other standard aerobic exercise.

  Dr William Fry, Standford University, claims one minute of laughter is equal to 10 minutes on the rowing machine. 

  The singular benefit almost everybody derives is a sense of well-being because more oxygen is taken in during laughter.

  It is an exercise regime suitable for all, including people confined to a bed or a wheelchair.

5. Laughter is internal jogging.  laughter massages internal organs by enhancing the blood supply and increasing their efficiency. This is especially good for proper bowel movement. 

  Laughter exercises the abdominal muscles and helps to improve muscle tone. 

6. Laughter is a natural pain killer

  Laughter increases the levels of endorphins, the body's natural pain killers. Norman Cousins, an American journalist who is suffering from an incurable disease of the spine, benefited from laughter therapy in a situation when all painkillers were ineffective. 

  Endorphins released as a benefit of laughter may help in reducing the intensity of pain in those suffering from arthritis, spondylitis and muscular spasms of the body. 

7. Laughter can control high blood pressure. laughter helps to control blood pressure by reducing the release of stress-related hormones. 

  Experiments have demonstrated that a 10-minute laughter session leads to a reduction of 10-20 mm in blood pressure.

8. Laughter ca help dump depression and anxiety.

  the stress and strain of modern life takes a heavy toll on the human body and mind.  

  Better sleep

  Reduced depression. Some people claim they can manage without prescribed anti-depressant pills and tranquilizers.

9. Laughter alleviates Bronchitis and Asthma. Laughter improves lung capacity and oxygen levels in the blood.

  Laughter club members report a marked reduction in the frequency of asthma attacks. 

10. Laughter just makes you feel good.

  Laugh and the world laughs with you. How you react to life is up to you. Live life laughing!

OH, YOGA!

    I started learning yoga about two years ago. Unfortunately I wasn't very consistent due to my travel schedule and then the yoga moving to a different location that I didn't like. Finally, after joining the YMCA, I started going once in a while, in addition to other classes and cardio. A few more interruptions of skin cancer surgery (stitches in 3 different places), prohibited me from working out and then in June of this year I was involved in a car accident. Unfortunately this only compounded everything. The accident exacerbated my injuries. I started going regularly to the chiropractor and added massage therapy. Never quit feeling right. Well, not to languish, I'm getting back into yoga.

    I attended a hatha yoga class today at YogaMatrix Studio in the Dr. Phillips are (if you live in Central Florida, you'll know). I spoke with the owner and head instructor (Edely) on the phone a few days before my class. I could tell she was/is very experienced. She's been practicing yoga for more than 20 years, she didnt even want to be a teacher. but she is phenomenal. Her classes are full, men and women of various ages give up a few hours on a saturday morning to breath and stretch their way to health and happiness. I could write for a while on the various classes she offers and the benefits, but I just wanted to share a few things in this blog and will have more on yoga.

    Top 10 Reasons to Try Yoga (from yogamatrixstudio)

1. Stress Relief - reduces the physical effects of stress on the body by encouraging relaxation and lowering the levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Related benefits include: lowering blood pressure and heart rate, improving digestion and boosting the immune system as well as  easing symptoms of conditions such as anxiety, depression, fatigue, asthma and insomnia.

2. Pain Relief - yoga can ease pain. Studies have demonstrated that practicing yoga asanas (postures), meditation or a combination, reduced pain for people with conditions such as cancer, m.s., auto-immune diseases and hypertension as well as arthritis, back and neck pain and other chronic conditions.

3. Better Breathing - teaches people to take slower, deeper breaths. It improves lung function and triggers body's relaxation response.

4. Flexibility - helps improve flexibility and mobility, increasing range of motion and reducing aches and pains. 

5. Increased Strength - yoga asanas uses every muscle in the body, helping to increase strength literally from head to toe. Yoga also helps to relieve muscular tension.

6. Weight management - can aid in weight control efforts by reducing the cortisol levels as well as by burning calories Yoga also encourage healthy eating habits and provides a heightened sense of well being and self esteem.

7. Improved Circulation - improves circulation and as a result of various poses, more efficiently move oxygenated blood to the body's cells.

8. Cardiovascular Conditioning - even gentle yoga practice can provide cardiovascular benefits by lowering resting heart rate, increasing endurance and improving oxygen intake.

9. Better Body Alignment - helps to improve alignment, helping relieve back, neck, joint and muscle problems. 

10. Focus on the Present - helps to focus on the present, to become more aware and to help created mind-body health. I opens the way to improved coordination, reaction time ad memory.