Tag: yoga practice

5 Steps Towards Making Your Dream a Reality

Four years ago, we began sharing our love of yoga on Instagram by posting snapshots and picture tutorials of some of our favorite poses. With young kids at home, we rarely made it out to attend classes at yoga studios, but we loved to practice at home. We had a passion for connecting with others and sharing whatever we learned on our mats, so we posted photos often and helped build a virtual yoga community. We hoped to be able to reach a larger audience one day, and seeing that dream come true through our relationship with Gaiam has been a surreal experience.

Last month, we realized another one of our dreams as we launched the Two Fit Moms apparel line with Gaiam.

We want YOU to dream big too! So, in keeping with this theme, here are five things that we believe have helped us, and will help you, as you set on your path towards making your dreams a reality.

Think Positively: You need to believe it in order to achieve it, so the first thing on your list should be to create a positive affirmation. If you don’t believe in you, no one else will. Create your own personal mantra that you come back to time and again – especially when your faith in you falters. Consider starting and ending your day with this mantra. “I am strong, I am confident, I can achieve my dreams.”

Fake It, Until You Make It: You need to walk the walk and talk the talk – even if you don’t believe it at first. If your goal is to run a marathon one day, start playing the part of an athlete! Even if you are out of shape, you can start eating well, drinking water instead of sweetened beverages and committing to a daily walk. You need to believe in your dream, in your ability to achieve it, and you may need to adjust your mind and your actions in order to realize it. Live your mantra.

Be Resilient: Recognize that your dreams may change, they may take longer to achieve, they may require more work, or a partner or more resources. Being open to change and able to adapt to it will be important. Things don’t always work out the way we would like, so being able to land on your feet is key.

Ask for Help: Much of achieving a dream rests on you, but don’t be foolish. Ask for help. Look for guidance from others who may have insight or experience that would be helpful and valuable to you.

Return the Favor: Don’t take your opportunities for granted. Remember where you came from, be modest, be thankful and give back. Be a source of inspiration, and share your experience so that you can encourage others to start on their path to achieving their own dreams.

May 28, 2016
Pose of the Week: Vasisthasana

Vasisthasana, or Side Plank Pose, helps to strengthen the wrists, arms, core and legs! Feel free to take any modifications or variations in your practice this week.

1. Start off in Downward Facing Dog.

2. From Downward Facing Dog, pull forward into Plank Pose.

3. Shift your weight onto your left hand, and move the right hand forward about 2 inches so the wrist is slightly forward of your right shoulder.

4. Slowly roll onto the outside edge of your right foot and stack your left foot on top of your right. As you do so, pop up on the fingertips of your left hand. Root down through the right hand, keeping the right arm straight.

5. Find your balance and extend your left arm up towards the sky.

6. Keep your hips lifting, belly engaged and legs active.

7. Stay here and take 5 deep breaths. Repeat on the other side.

June 17, 2015
Pose of the Week: Ardha Chandrasana

Time to test your balance with one of my favorite standing postures…Ardha Chandrasana or Half Moon Pose! Feel free to use a block under your hand if you cannot comfortably reach the ground.

Stand at the top of your mat, big toes touching and hands at heart center in prayer. Sweep both arms up towards the sky and then swan dive down into a standing forward fold, Uttanasana. Lift up half way and bring your hands underneath your shoulders. Slowly lift your left leg up so your legs make a 90 degree angle. Flex your left foot so the toes point down towards your mat. Bring your left hand onto your left hip. Take a deep breath in, and on the exhale slowly start to rotate the left toes out to the left side of your mat. Your left hip will begin to stack on top of your right hip, your left shoulder will begin to stack over your right shoulder. Root down through your right foot to find your balance. Extend your left hand up towards the sky. To challenge your balance, gaze to the side or at the top of your hand. Stay here for 5 breaths, then repeat on the other side.

May 15, 2015
Pose of the Week: Ustrasana

This week’s TFM Pose of the Week is Ustrasana or Camel Pose. Backbends are a great way to open up the front body and to energize yourself. Take your time getting into this one and remember to breathe!

Level 1 Modification: Start with your shins parallel and toes untucked. Place your hands on your low back with fingers facing down towards your mat. Hug your elbows in. Take a deep breath in, and on the exhale, slowly start to lift your heart up towards the sky as you lean slightly back drawing the shoulder blades together. Keep your hips pushing forward while your thighs remain perpendicular to the ground. If it is comfortable, drop your head back. Try to take five steady breaths. When you are ready to come out, lead with your chest. Your head should be the last thing to rise. Sit back on your heels and take a moment. Repeat this sequence two more times.

Level 2 Modification: Start with your shins parallel and toes tucked under. Place your hands on your low back with fingers facing down towards your mat. Hug your elbows in, and take a deep breath. On the exhale, slowly start to lift your heart up towards the sky as you lean slightly back drawing the shoulder blades together. Slowly bring one hand at a time down to your ankles. Keep pushing your hips forward while your thighs remain perpendicular to the ground. If it is comfortable, drop your head back. Try to take five steady breaths. When you are ready to come out, lead with your chest. Your head should be the last thing to rise. Sit back on your heels and take a moment. Repeat this sequence two more times.

Ustrasana: Start with your shins parallel and toes untucked. Place your hands on your low back with fingers facing down towards your mat. Hug your elbows in. Take a deep breath, and on the exhale, slowly start to lift your heart up towards the sky as you lean slightly back drawing the shoulder blades together. Slowly bring both hands to the tops of your feet. Keep hips pushing forward while thighs remain perpendicular to the ground. Slowly drop your head back. Try to take five steady breaths. When you are ready to come out, lead with your chest. Your head should be the last thing to rise. Sit back on your heels and take a moment. Repeat this sequence two more times.

May 9, 2015
Moms Love Yoga

Yoga is a great form of fitness for anyone — but it’s ideal for moms! In honor of Mother’s Day, we thought we would create a list of all of the reasons why moms should give yoga a try.

Here are 10 reasons why yoga is the perfect workout for YOU!

1. You can do yoga from the comfort of your own home. You can practice yoga anywhere or anytime that works for you—before work, during your lunch break or at night when the kids are asleep.

2. You can tailor your practice to fit your body’s needs. Do it at your own pace. You can adjust each pose for your current level of strength and flexibility. Your practice is your own, and there are plenty of modifications to accommodate injuries.

3. There’s no set amount of time. You can participate a in a full hour-long flow, 30-minutes or even 10-minutes.

4. It will make you feel stronger. Yoga will help you build physical strength and also strength of mind.

5. You have a valid reason to shop! Who doesn’t love stylish exercise clothing? Obviously, you can wear your old t-shirt and shorts to practice, but you will get a great boost of confidence with fresh new clothing that makes you feel confident and beautiful. You know we love our funky patterned leggings. Check out some of our most recent faves from the new Gaiam line at Kohl’s. There’s also some really cool yoga gear out that will inspire you to get on your mat. In fact, there are some beautiful mats, totes and carriers as well as other accessories that will help motivate you to get moving!

6. Yoga is a forced time-out for moms. Yoga will do amazing things for your body, but it’s even more amazing to see what it will do for your mental state of being. When your mind is racing and your to-do list is endless, it’s a good thing to have yoga in your life. You don’t have to know how to quiet the mind and meditate. Yoga is a moving meditation, and you will automatically fall into that meditation. You will notice that your loud thoughts dissipate over the course of your practice, and you are left in a blissful, peaceful state.

7. It will make you feel beautiful. Doing something for yourself, and doing something that makes you feel good, will make you feel beautiful.

8. It’s better with a friend. A yoga partner makes the practice more fun! So, find a friend and get your yoga on! Now you can work out and spend quality time with your bestie. How about scheduling a playdate with another mom friend? Your kids can play in the yard while you roll out your mats and practice outdoors.

9. You can join a yoga community. There’s a tight knit group of yogis who will inspire and motivate you, and you can connect with them through social media, such as Instagram, or find/create your own community by attending local studios or gathering your friends.

10. You can share yoga with your family. Once you begin your practice, your kids — even your husband — will be interested. And, what better way to show your love for your family than by taking care of YOU!

May 7, 2015
Pose of the Week: Upavistha Konasana

Today we are launching our Pose of the Week series, which is designed to help you focus on making small steps towards your yoga and wellness journey. Rather than tackling a full sequence or an hour-long class, just make a commitment to yourself to practice this single pose every day this week. You can make a difference in your health and wellness, one step at a time.

We are starting with Upavistha Konasana or Wide-Legged Seated Forward Fold.

Take a comfortable seat on your mat and spread your legs evenly apart. Root down through your sits bones, lengthen up through your spine and flex your feet. Find a little bit of external rotation in your thighs so that your knee caps and your toes point up towards the sky. Press down through the tops of your thighs and shin bones.

Take a deep breath in.

On the exhale, slowly start to walk the fingers forward and fold. Fold as deeply as you can without rounding through your spine. You should feel sensation and stretch through the backs of both legs, but never pain. Relax into the stretch and move deeper as the intensity of the stretch lessens. Stay here for about one minute, then slowly release and shake out your legs.

April 28, 2015
Springtime Flow

Spring is a season characterized by rebirth, renewal and growth. Many of us are looking forward to longer, lighter evenings and the uplifting energy of Spring. To celebrate the season (and to help you out of bed before the sun has risen), we are putting a fresh spin on a traditional sequence. Each pose within the sequence becomes a hybrid — and a hip opener — by keeping the legs in tree pose. Challenge your balance and flexibility by practicing this variation of Sun Salutation that pays homage to blooming trees and fresh routine. Remember to practice the sequence on both sides of your body, and breathe deeply through each pose.

1. Tree Pose

Start in Mountain Pose at the back of your mat. Toes are spread, spine is lengthening towards the ground. Slowly shift your weight into your left foot and pick up your right foot. With the help of your right hand, place the sole of the right foot onto the inner left thigh. Find stability in this pose by pressing your right foot firmly into your left thigh, and your left thigh firmly into the sole of your right foot. Keep your right knee pressing out. Bring your hands together at heart center. Take 5 deep breaths, then on your next inhale sweep your hands up towards the sky.

2. Standing Forward Fold with Tree Legs

On an exhale, swan dive down into this Standing Forward Fold variation. Continue to keep your right knee open to the side. Feel the hamstring stretch along the back of your left leg and the stretch in your right hip. Stay here for 3-5 breaths.

3. High Plank Pose with Tree Legs

Rather than stepping or jumping back into Plank Pose, as you would in a traditional Sun Salutation, on an exhale, slowly walk yourself out into Plank Pose with Tree Legs. Continue pressing your right foot firmly into your left thigh, and try to make a straight line with your body from head to heel. Stay here for 3-5 breaths.

4. Side Plank Pose with Tree Legs

Before moving into your Chaturanga Dandasana, which is usually the next pose in the Sun Salutation, take a short detour into Side Plank Pose with Tree Legs. On an inhale, shift your weight onto your left hand, roll onto the outer edge of the left foot and pop up onto your right fingertips. Find your balance here. On the exhale, slowly extend your right hand up towards the sky. Keep your hips lifting as you continue to root down through your left hand. Look up at your right hand for an added challenge. Stay here for 3-5 breaths and return into your High Plank Pose with Tree Legs.

5. Low Plank Pose with Tree Legs

From High Plank Pose, slowly shift slightly forward. On an exhale, bend your elbows coming into Low Plank Pose (or Chaturanga Dandasana) with Tree Legs. Hug your elbows in and engage your core to maintain stability.

6. Upward Facing Dog with Tree Legs

On an inhale, roll over the left toes and come into Upward Facing Dog with Tree Legs. Feel free to modify by taking the Cobra Pose variation with hips on the ground. Press into your hands, lift your heart and relax your shoulders. Take 3-5 breaths.

7. Downward Facing Dog with Tree Legs

On an exhale, roll back over your left toes and come into your Downward Facing Dog with Tree Legs. Spread your fingers wide, relax your shoulders and engage your belly. Stay here and hold for 5 deep breaths. Complete your Sun Salutation by walking your hands back to your left foot and then slowly lifting back up into Tree Pose! Release the right foot, shake it out and repeat on the other side.

8. Optional: Supported Headstand with Tree Legs

For an added challenge, feel free to add an inversion at the end of your Sun Salutation practice. Keep your elbows hugging in, neck long, belly engaged and legs energized! To maintain our tree theme, slowly bend on knee and bring the sole of the foot to the inside of the other thigh, then switch! Remember to continue breathing. Take a well deserved Child’s Pose after you come down.

April 21, 2015
Making Time for Yoga

Starting and committing to any exercise routine is tough. The same goes for your yoga practice. Whether you are just starting your journey or you have been practicing for years, we all struggle with maintaining the momentum of the routine. And, when you are a busy mother, finding time for yourself seems to be the biggest hurdle. We understand.

Don’t despair. It is possible to practice yoga, despite a hectic schedule. It just takes some flexibility (not just physical – mental too!), and some ingenuity.

So, here are a few things to consider as you assess how you will make time for yoga — how you will start your practice and how you will make it a daily habit.

It’s literally a matter of determining when, where and how you can make your yoga practice work for you.

1. When do you have time to practice? Can you practice before the kids wake up in the morning? How about during your lunch break? Or, maybe you are a night owl? Finding the right time of day is key. And, if there seems to be no right time — make one! I’m not a morning person. In fact, I really despise getting up early, but I have no time otherwise, so an early morning routine, while painful at first, is ideal for my lifestyle. What works for yours?

2. How long do you have? Perhaps you only have 30 minutes to spare. Or, maybe you have two hours? The amount of time you can make for yoga will dictate how you practice. And, how you practice is totally up to you! You may only have time or the inclination to do 10-15 minutes of sun salutations. This still counts as practicing. There are no rules about how long you need to be on the mat.

3. How often? Can you commit to practicing once a week? Once a month? Do you have the luxury of practicing every day?

4. Where will you practice? Thankfully, going to a yoga class at a gym or studio is not the only way to practice yoga. You can download a practice online or design your own flow and playlist. I bet you have DVDs collecting dust on a shelf somewhere. Once you figure out when and how long you can practice, the actual practice will fall right into place!

5. How will you stay motivated? Perhaps it’s a yoga companion? Or a yoga community? Whether you have a friend to practice with or a community to share your experience with (e.g., Instagram), both will make the journey so much more fun! Even if you are not in the same room, sharing your experience and progress photos will inspire.

You may realize, after walking through this exercise, that finding time really has more to do with finding someone to watch your kids. Even if you plan to practice from home, exercising in the presence of small children is nearly impossible. (Believe me, I’ve tried. I vividly remember trying to follow a fitness DVD as my two toddlers joined me on my mat, mimicking my every move and talking to me throughout the routine as I was sweating profusely unable to catch my breath. In hindsight, it was funny, but at the time, I was annoyed that I couldn’t find a way to make it work!)

If this is the case, you must enlist support. Ask a parent or spouse to watch the kids so that you can take a class. If you have the means, hire a babysitter — a student even, to keep costs low. Swap babysitting time with a friend. You practice yoga one day, while she watches your kids. You reciprocate. It’s not impossible. It just takes some creativity!

Aside from getting into shape, feeling healthy and strong — finding time for yoga — finding time for you — is so important for your mental well-being. So, don’t be discouraged. You can make it work. And, if you are feeling stressed, just ask us. We struggle to fit yoga into our lives, just like you!

April 12, 2015