Tag: yoga

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Why a strong core is important + exercises to try. @ClevelandClinic

cleveland evrything starts wit your core

If you’re planning to start an exercise program and wondering where to begin, start with your core first, says physical therapist Brittany Smith, DPT. People often think of the core muscles as being the abdominal muscles, but the core includes the muscles in the abdomen, back and hips, all working together as a group.

“The core muscles provide stability for the entire body as it moves,” says Smith. “These muscles are activated when you stand up, turn, bend, reach, twist, stoop and move in most other ways. Everything starts with your core.”

Strong core muscles help you maintain good posture, while weak ones can lead to slouching and slumping. Poor posture can be a cause of aches and pain, especially in the back.

Getting started with your core

To get your core muscles in shape, you need to exercise.

“Our bodies were made to move, so any physical activity is really important,” says Smith.

She recommends these specific core-strengthening exercises below.

The first one engages the deep muscles in the abdomen, called the transverse abdominis. “These muscles help hold us in a better position to stabilize our core, thereby stabilizing our arms and legs,” says Smith.

“The more you work on these muscles, the more it will become second nature to hold these muscles tight when you’re lifting grocery bags, doing yard work or any other kind of physical activity,” says Smith. This will help support your body.

Other muscles that tend to be weak are the gluteus maximus in the buttocks, and the gluteus medius and gluteus minimus on the side of the hip. The bridge and clamshell exercises can help strengthen these muscles.

Smith emphasizes that getting the proper position of these exercises correct is more important than the number of repetitions you do. “It’s better to take your time, maybe do fewer reps, but with better quality,” she says. For that reason, it can be helpful to have the guidance of a physical therapist to get started.

Move on from the core

Core exercises are the starting point of overall fitness because you need to hold those muscles engaged while you strengthen other muscles, such as the biceps in the arms or the quadriceps in the legs.

Smith suggests setting short-term goals (for about a month) and then more long-term goals. Once you have achieved short-term goals, such as getting around more easily, add other types of weight-training or resistance exercises to build muscle elsewhere.

With any exercise you do, always listen to your body, warns Smith. If you have pain other than muscle burn, take it easy. Reduce the number of repetitions, the weight or the duration of the exercises. Then build up gradually. “You don’t have to be in pain to make gains,” she says.

Beginner exercises for core strength

For each of the following, work up to one to two sets of 10 to 15 repetitions once a day.

Abdominal bracing

Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Contract your abdominal muscles, and press the arch of your back down toward the floor, pulling your belly button toward your spine. Hold for 5 to 10 seconds. Make sure your lower back stays flat on the floor. Relax and repeat.

Bridge

Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor with your arms at your sides. Squeeze your abdominal and buttocks muscles, push your heels into the floor and slowly lift your buttocks and hips off the floor. Keep your back straight. Hold for 5 to 10 seconds.

Clamshell

Lie on your side with knees bent in line with your hips and back, draw up the top knee while keeping contact of your feet together as shown. Don’t let your pelvis roll back during the lifting movement. Hold for 5 seconds.

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/planning-to-start-exercising-start-with-your-core-first/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=cc+tweets

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Yoga Poses That Can Strengthen Your Core Muscles @ClevelandClinic

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20h20 hours ago

 
 

Engage your abdominal muscles with these yoga poses that build a strong & stable center!

Contributor: Certified yoga instructor Patti Kopasakis, PT, DPT, SCS, RYT-200

Your abdominal muscles are just one component of your core. The gluteal muscles, diaphragm, hip flexors, and hip adductor muscles also comprise your core. These large muscle groups help control the movements you make throughout the day.  Strengthening these muscles helps to absorb forces from daily activities and decrease the forces that move through joints.

Here is a group yoga poses that can help to improve your core muscles. Try holding them for two to three breaths at first, then increase the number of breaths to challenge yourself. On the one-sided poses, be sure to repeat on the other side!

Note: Poses should be entered into and moved out of slowly to protect muscles and joints. If you are having specific pain that has been ongoing for longer than two weeks or you have a specific injury, it is always best consult a qualified health care provider, such as a physical therapist, who can develop a plan specific to your needs.

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/yoga-poses-that-can-strengthen-your-core-muscles/?

 

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From beginner’s yoga to more advanced practices, downward dog is one of the most popular poses. Physical therapist Dawn Lorring, PT, MPT @ClevelandClinic

Take a ‘Paws’ With Downward Dog

This transitional and restorative yoga pose provides a full-body stretch

Physical therapist Dawn Lorring, PT, MPT, walks through the steps of how to do downward dog correctly and shares its many benefits.

From beginner’s yoga to more advanced practices, downward dog is one of the most popular poses…with a few common misconceptions.

Rounding your back, placing your feet too far apart or putting too much weight into your wrists can all create a deeper stretch than intended — which increases your risk of injury.

Physical therapist Dawn Lorring, PT, MPT, walks through the steps of how to do downward dog correctly and shares its many benefits.

What is downward dog?

Downward dog (also known as downward facing dog, facing dog pose or Adho Mukha Svanasana in Sanskrit) is a foundational yoga pose. It’s often used as a transition between movements, like sun salutations. It’s also a form of active resting, active stretching and strengthening. This allows you to check in with yourself and re-evaluate your intentions during your practice.

You do downward facing dog by putting your body into an inverted V-shape (or pyramid), as if there were a straight line that runs through the top of your head up your spine and out of your butt toward the ceiling.

How to properly do downward facing dog

Facing dog pose won’t usually be your first movement when doing yoga. Before trying it, it’s best to loosen up your muscles and joints and find ways to work it into your overall yoga practice.

Once you’re warmed up and ready to go, follow these steps:

  1. Start on all fours with your hands shoulder-width apart and your knees in line directly behind your hips.
  2. Spreading your fingers wide, press down into your hands and tuck your toes (almost like you’re using them to grip the floor beneath you).
  3. As you exhale, bring your hips up and back, as if there’s a string pulling your butt toward the ceiling, so your body creates an inverted V-shape (or pyramid).
  4. Focus on straightening your back, not rounding it, so your head and neck are relaxed between your upper arms. It helps to focus on pressing through your arms to “push” the ground away from you and keep your arms active.
  5. Engage your core muscles and pull your tummy in.
  6. Keep your legs straight and, if it’s comfortable for you to do so, try to drop your heels down to the floor.
  7. Adjust your posture by shifting your weight between your hands and feet until you sink comfortably into the position.
  8. Hold this pose for 10 to 15 seconds at a time, making sure to breathe throughout.
  9. For a more relaxed stretch, bend your knees a little and readjust your posture as needed.
  10. When you’re done, exhale and move into your next pose or slowly lower yourself to the floor to enter child’s pose.

“Downward facing dog isn’t about keeping your heels on the ground or holding it for long periods of time,” clarifies Lorring. “It’s really about making sure you’re going to a place that’s comfortable for you, so you can adjust your body as often as you need in this pose.”

Facing dog pose variations

If you have a hard time getting down on your hands and knees, try this wall variation:

  1. Face the wall and place both your hands out in front of you so your palms are flat and your fingers are stretched out.
  2. Keeping your head and back straight and your hands on the wall in front of you, slowly walk your legs backward.
  3. As you move, walk your hands down the wall so you hinge at your hips and look directly at the floor.
  4. Keeping your head and neck relaxed, hold this pose for 10 to 15 seconds before slowly returning to stand.
  5. If you feel stress or discomfort in your wrists, you can modify by rolling up a towel or the edge of your yoga mat and placing the roll under the heels of your hands. This will decrease some of that pressure.

For a more challenging stretch that deeply engages your hips and hamstrings:

  1. While in the downward facing dog position, lift one leg up and stretch it toward the ceiling.
  2. For a deeper stretch, bend your outstretched leg back and over your body, so your knee is facing away from you.
  3. Repeat this process with the other leg, holding the pose for as long as you feel comfortable on either side.

Downward dog benefits

Downward facing dog provides a full body stretch, while also strengthening and working your:

Adho Mukha Svanasana helps improve your flexibility and control, and provides you a moment of active rest. It also increases blood flow to your head and upper body when you’re in the inverted V position. But because of this, you should talk to your yoga instructor, athletic trainer or healthcare provider before starting this position if you have:

“Facing dog pose tries to improve flexibility but also builds the strength to control that flexibility,” says Lorring. “If you’re feeling excessive stress to a certain part of your body, then you’re probably holding the pose for too long or you’re trying to go into a range that you’re not ready for. We can help you get there.”

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Muscles in your body are a use-or-lose proposition. You need to use them to keep them strong!@ClevelandClinic

cleveland muscles

Cleveland Clinic
@ClevelandClinic

Muscles in your body are a use-or-lose proposition. You need to use them to keep them strong!

You may not realize it, but we all start losing 1 percent of muscle mass each year after age 30. That’s why your diet in later years should not look the same as it did when you were younger, says endocrinologist Susan Williams, MD.

Skipping breakfast, eating fast food and being inactive in your 20s and early 30s might not hurt your health in the short term. However, poor nutrition and lifestyle habits take their toll over time.

People who embrace good habits early on really get ahead of the game, Dr. Williams says. But it’s never too late to start eating better and taking better care of your body.

Whether you’re 30 or 50, Dr. Williams offers three important tips to get started in eating right when you are thinking about your long-term health.

RELATED: Do You Know How Much Exercise You Really Need? 

1. Keep your weight in check

A roller coaster of weight gain and loss can change your body composition and leave you with more fat mass and less lean muscle mass.

2. Eat three balanced meals a day

You also want to limit your snacks in between. The word “balanced” is especially important because eating a wide variety of foods will help you prevent nutritional deficiencies.

Dr. Williams suggests this simple shopping list:

  • Lean proteins. Choose chicken, white fish, oily fish like salmon, eggs, tuna fish and red meat (less frequently than other protein).
  • Whole grains. This includes multigrain breads, and long-cooking rice or oats.
  • Veggies. Go for fresh or fresh frozen. Choose what’s in season and enjoy a variety to get the vitamins and minerals your body needs.
  • Fruit. Fresh fruit is best, followed by frozen. Canned fruit can be OK, but choose options in light syrup or water. Check the label and avoid added sugar.
  • Dairy. Choose milk, yogurts, cheeses and cottage cheese that are low-fat or fat-free.

Steer clear of cookies, cakes, pies, ice creams, juices and rich desserts. If that sounds like no fun, Dr. Williams advises treating these foods as treats. Save them for dining out or special occasions, but don’t make them part of your daily diet.

RELATED: Which Bread Is Best For You — Whole-Grain, Multigrain or Whole Wheat?

3. Use your muscles

Eating protein and being physically active are equal partners in the quest for maximum health, Dr. Williams says. Muscles are made of protein, but simply eating protein is not enough to save them.

“Muscles in your body are a use-or-lose proposition,” she says. “You need to use them to keep them strong.”

Can’t carve out time for the gym? Try this daily routine:

  1. In the morning, stretch for 10 minutes.
  2. At lunch, eat and then walk for 10 minutes.
  3. After dinner, spend 10 minutes with stretch bands or light weights.

Even a half hour of physical activity can make a world of difference, especially if you make it a habit in your 30s. “Don’t let your weight creep up while your muscle mass creeps down over your 30s and 40s,” Dr. Williams says. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to get started — and the more muscle you will have already lost.