Scientific
Watch Out For Night Lights and 50-Somethings Without Condoms
Today in science:
- An Evil Glow. That freaky nightlight in the photo is a demon that makes everyone who comes in contact with it fat. Or, to put it in scientific terms, mice who spent eight weeks with a dim light on at night gained 50% more weight than mice who slept in the dark. So what, they were tired so they ate more and moved less? Not so simple! In fact, their physical activity and their food were held constant. So the real explanation is that sleep disruption messed with their metabolism.
- Sex vs. Puking. Did you know German drug makers were working on a female viagra? It was called flibanserin, and the company just pulled the plug on it. Why?
Celebrity Fitness
Russell Simmons On Daily Good Works And Daily Yoga
"I find the more I give, the more I get back....To invest myself in giving back daily and doing good is part of my process. Daily good works are as important as my daily yoga practice."
— Russell Simmons, discussing his philanthropic involvement.
Spirit Guides
The Beauty of Listening
I spent this past weekend in a meditation workshop with a small group of fellow yoga teachers with whom I’ve been studying asana and philosophy for many years. We engaged in multiple meditations with breaks to write notes and share information. The act of setting aside a weekend to do this created a space within which our minds were able to become quiet.
More...Scientific
Are Weight Loss Meals Worth It?
The dream of meal delivery is this: Perfectly balanced meals arrive at your doorstep. You consume these perfectly balanced meals, and only these perfectly balanced meals, and thus you're relieved from any food-related agony. You know exactly what to eat. You stick to the plan, and voila. You lose weight. Or you stay slim. Or whatever your goal is. Someone else does the thinking. You just do the eating.
But how does that work in real life? You can't just eat pre-prepared meals forever like some robot. What happens after you go back to eating regular food? A new study answers some of these questions. Summary: Most folks don't backslide as much as you'd expect.
More...Buns of Steal
Keep It In Your Pants
Today's free workout, Bikram Yoga Harlem courtesy of a work-study arrangement (hooray for barter). So, this was my glorious post-rib return to Bikram Yoga Harlem, my absolute favorite yoga studio in New York! It was my first time back at yoga since my vain attempt two weeks ago, after the fall but before I knew the extent of the injury. On that visit, I got through exactly 6 postures before I began taking breaks to nurse my shoulder and rib. After 15 postures or so I just gave up and sat on my mat, staring helplessly at my sad mangled self.
Fast forward to today, and man, I was gonna do it! And I mostly did, until I got an eyeful of balls. Yes, I said it. BALLS.
More...Media Filter
And You Thought the Toe Sox Ads Were Scandalous...
In September, Yoga Journal started a brouhaha by saying they planned to cease and desist running ads that "exploit the sexuality of young women in order to sell products or more magazines." Naked lady yoga ad ringleader Toe Sox fired back saying their ads were inspiring, not offensive, and the conversation went back and forth from there. Well, apparently, ESPN has no such qualms. And, in fact, they're happy to exploit the sexuality of young women, young men, pretty much anyone, to sell magazines. Evidence, the ESPN Magazine "Body Issue," which should really be called the "Naked Issue." Toe Sox puts one naked lady in a photo. ESPN puts twelve! Back to that word, "exploit" — it's a little harsh. The athletes all seem pretty psyched about it. Video about the making of the "Body Issue," including lots of giggling, naked athletes, after the jump.
More...Wake Up Call
On Effort
Satisfaction lies in the effort, not in the attainment, full effort is full victory.
~ Mohandas Gandhi
Pilates Teacher Training
Pilates Teacher Training With Brooke Siler
The world of Pilates is like six degrees of Kevin Bacon, except one or two degrees is better, and Joseph Pilates is Kevin Bacon. Pilates guru Brooke Siler is one degree away. Meaning she trained with Joseph Pilates' protege Romana Kryzanowka. So if you train with Brooke, you're only two degrees away. There's that, and there's also the fact that Brooke is a true Pilates athlete with a lot of cool things to say about transformation, lots of cool videos and books, and then there's her studio, re:AB which is a hub for the Pilates nation.
So, should you be interested, her next teacher training program kicks off this December, with applications due November 1, 2010. All the details after the jump.
More...New York
Noon Stretch
What Fun!
"So, we made hula hoops a week ago, and well, they pretty much rock. If you haven't made one yet, you should. Here's a link. We haven't gotten them all decorated yet, more like an understated black, but what fun. Keep them handy while you're doing other things. For instance, around here, it's been droughty and I've been trying to keep some young trees alive. So, I was hooping while watering the trees. Oh yeah. Count it." — Craig B., today, 6:30 A.M.
Cubicle Conundrums
BMI Linked To Time Wasting At Work
To start with, this study uses a truly atrocious term: "presenteeism." What's presenteeism, you ask? Is it where people give me presents? What's so atrocious about that? No. It's a perversion of "absenteeism." Basically, it means you're at work but you might as well not be. I thought that was called "lack of productivity" or "goofing off" or "how I got through that whole year of temping after college." But no, apparently during each and every bout of workplace procrastination, we're all "presentees." Best line of the write-up: "Presenteeism...was common in workers regardless of weight." Well, yes. What was I saying? Oh, sorry. I just spent eight minutes writing an email to my mom. Okay, anyway, back to it. Apparently, our "presenteeism" gets worse the fatter we get. Here's the summary:
More...Work It Out
Rolfing Will Make You Cry And You'll Like It
Last month, we highlighted a Pilates and Rolfing retreat in the Philippines, but all we told you about Rolfing was that it was "holistic massage." Sorry about that. Having never been personally Rolfed, that's all I could say. But today, courtesy of the New York Times, we've got so much more to dish. Apparently, the big news is that Rolfing hurts. Let's start with the verbs. Among those thrown about in the article to describe Rolfing, there's "gouging," "contorting," and "kneading with fists." And then there are the descriptions from Rolfing enthusiasts. It's like "paying $150 an hour for an Indian burn," it's "not going to massage and lighting aromatherapy candles," and "it’s painful, very painful, emotionally and physically." Uh, wait, and people love this?
More...Think Inside The Box
A Slightly Unsettling Yoga Surprise
You're just an ordinary citizen, walking down the street. You barely notice the tiny box by the side of the sidewalk, but then the top of the box creeps open and a hand reaches out and thrusts a business card at you. Freaky! And, maybe less freaky than other options but still kind of freaky, the business card you've been handed is for a yoga studio.
More...Health Lessons Of The Week: Open Communication Is The Cure And Love Makes You Eat Salad
If television is a cultural barometer, what can we learn about health and well-being from our regular viewing? von Hottie presents a totally unscientific sampling of the health and fitness "wisdom" she gleaned this week from a random selection of television shows. WARNING: spoiler alerts and perving out on Uncle Jesse ahead.
- Glee: Those Glee kids really are the hardest working people on television. All that singing and dancing while playing football and cheerleading! No, really, try belting Barbra Streisand while on the elliptical and see how you do.
Wake Up Call
Meditation on Honor
Meditation is the life of the soul: Action, the soul of meditation. and honor the reward of action.
Noon Stretch
Increasing My Energy and Boosting My Mood
"Though I haven't seen huge weight loss yet from my walking and lack of pop intake, I have seen an increase in my energy. Walking no longer seems like a chore, but a welcome part of my day. The time I have spent outside has also improved my mood greatly." — Robbie B., today, 9:50 A.M.
Poll
No Food Stamps For Soda?
New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg really hates soda. First there were the awesomely disgusting anti-soda ads all over the city. Then there were the even more awesomely disgusting anti-soda TV ads. Then there was the unsuccessful attempt to get a state tax on sodas. Now Bloomberg has filed for federal permission to keep the city's 1.7 million food stamp recipients from using their food stamps to buy soda and sugary drinks. Misguided social engineering or totally awesome step forward for public health?
Inspiration
Exercise Must Start With Spirit
"We are athletes of spirit and all forms of exercise must start with spirit first. You are empty and not whole without some form of energy or inspiration. Life is too short for low self esteem. BE YOURSELF... everyone else is already taken!"
— Tina Thompson, badass Tutu Fresh instructor, explaining her fitness philosophy to MizzFit. The full interview (totally worth a read) at MizzFit.com