National Yoga-Recess Day

 

Friday, February 26, 2016.

• Yes, we need a national awareness day to focus on the benefits of yoga for kids and youth.
• Yes, movement, breath and stretching have tremendous benefits for kids and youth starting with physical fitness, mental clarity and focus (guaranteeing better grades ...).
• Yes, Friday, February 26 hundreds of school teachers will integrate yoga-type exercises into their daily teaching schedule.
• Yes, yogis, parents and organizations nationwide will support Yoga-Recess-Day and help create awareness.
• Yes, school teachers are ready to help their kids be healthier and fitter using yoga movements, breathing exercises and stretching.

What now? Get involved!

• School Teachers: Access free resources
Parents, Yogis: Share with friends and family

International Kids Yoga Day on April 8, 2016 from 11am to 12pm

100+ official ambassadors, plus countless others who are following along at home, will lead students through a 5 minute yoga routine at schools, homes, yoga studios, and child care organizations throughout the world.

Our Mission:

To raise awareness and ignite a passion for fitness and yoga for as many children as possible. Let’s inspire the next generation to love yoga and/or fitness as much as we do. Think about it - on the same day, at the same time, people will take part in something bigger and will be doing yoga all over the world, together. Pretty special!

To participate in Kids' Yoga Day, please sign up at: http://forms.aweber.com/form/01/1628640101.htm

Kids' Yoga Day is looking for Official Ambassadors. If you are interested in more information and to apply, visit: http://archive.aweber.com/awlist3983865/P9Oli/h/Kids_Yoga_Day_Requested.htm

Or, if a business or organization you know may be interested in being a sponsor for Kids' Yoga Day, thus not only gaining lots of great visibility but also helping kids all over the world.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1712453802318971/

Ingrid Cheng

Let's Move West L.A

http://letsmovewestla.ning.com/

Reduce Back Pain with Yoga

According to the Mayo Clinic, back pain is most commonly linked to diseases like arthritis or osteoporosis, or through muscle or ligament strains, bulging or ruptured disks from heavy lifting or awkward movements, including sports injuries. These factors are exacerbated by poor physical conditioning (sitting too long), poor nutrition, smoking, obesity an even psychological events like depression and anxiety. Back pain is also linked to skeletal irregularities that may have existed since birth or that formed over time.

Researchers found that ongoing exercise is required to be effective as a prevention against future lower back pain.

Exercise does not have to be extended periods of high impact, aerobic activities. Your back will thank you if you incorporate low impact exercise that supports biomechanically-correct movement and stretching, as well as proper breathing. Yoga is an effective means to prevent back pain and can be practiced in the privacy of your own home or in a social setting if you prefer to exercise in groups. Check out yoga for lower back pain to learn more about the value of this activity. And if your professional or personal life involves sitting for prolonged periods of time, you may want to read, yoga for people who sit.


Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/the-easy-way-to-reduce-low-back-pain.html#ixzz3xdcRDACF

P.S - Most of our society is sedentary so if you haven't tried yoga, do so. There are many affordable or free yoga classes in Los Angeles. Find a class that you like with a teacher who focuses on form and breathing. Honor your body and do what you can.

Beyond Yoga

Visit eLOVate Vegan Kitchen in Santa Monica and tell them you support YOGA GIVES BACK when placing your order...eLOVate will donate a portion of the sales to YGB & they will treat you to their famous coconut magic bar!!*one magic bar per person w/ purchase of meal. Now through Sunday January 17

 

https://www.facebook.com/events/816829908443750

Yoga Gives Back is a 501(c)3 non-profit started in 2007 with a mission to mobilize the global yoga community to empower women and children in India to build sustainable livelihoods. In 2010, YGB developed "Sister Aid" to directly fund programs for education and the economic empowerment of girls and women in India. Since then, it has been able to double the number of fund recipients every year, now reaching nearly 700. YGB FILMS just released its brand new film "Gold in Hand", about YGB's new program a five-year "SHE" Scholarship for Higher Education. YGB funds nearly 100 teen students so that they can finish high school education and aim for college degree. http://yogagivesback.org

Ingrid Cheng

Happy Chinese New Year

2/8/2016 Is the start of the Year of Monkey

I intend to keep fit and healthy by exercising every day.

On the first day of New Year, I walked my dog and did some yoga.

On the second day, I did pilates @ Love for Pilates http://loveforpilates.com
On the third day, I stretched and relaxed with yoga

I've been keeping an Active Lifestyle Activity log that also helps me improve my eating habits https://www.presidentschallenge.org/challenge/active/index.shtml

I know many people with excuses for why they don't exercise, but I will just quietly do what I love. Yoga and pilates make me feel and look good. I tell people to just try it because many of them have preconcieved notions.

Join me on this challenge for the year, it's never too late.

Ingrid Cheng

It's Cold Season

To prevent from catching a cold

1. Wash your hands before eating
2. Use hand santizer if you need to
3. Drink lots of fluids
4. Get enough sleep
5. Keep from overdoing it
6. Take vitamin C and zinc
7. If you feel sick, take a day off work to rest

I got a cold on Sunday 11/30 but I still went to work the next day. I already scheduled for a 5-day vacation and didn't want to appear "lazy". I toughed it out for the week, thinking I could rest & get better on the weekend. My cough was mostly at night, but it woke me up at around 3 am each night. I took OTC medicine but it only worked for a few hours. Finally, I had to see a doctor on Monday 12/7. However, my doctor wasn't in office until Wednesday 12/9. She gave me a cough medicine with codeine and antibiotics if I needed them. Luckily, the medicine worked & I got the much needed sleep.

I learned a lesson the hard way. Hope you'll be smart and take a sick day if you need it.
Have a happy and healthy holidays.

Ingrid

Holiday Giving

I didn't go for Black Friday sales at any retail stores. Instead, I decided to go biking from Venice to Santa Monica.  It was a bit cold, but the sun was out. I got some fresh air and exercise. I gave myself a day off because I already bought most of my gifts and planned to shop online for the rest.

On Saturday, I took a rock climbing, belaying class at Rockreation. I learned to tie a double figure-8 and to belay. I also climbed for a bit and it was harder than it looked. I had fun and got a workout.

On Sunday, I did an hour of yoga. It was just what I needed.

Yesterday, I got my mom a nice cardigan online.

If you're stuck on what to get your friends & loved ones, think of a charity that they support and donate in their name. Here are a few of my favorite non-profits:

No Kid Hungry
SPCALA
Sierra Club

Have a wonderful Christmas and please share this if you believe in the true spirit of the holidays. "Giving is better than receiving."

Keep Motivated

If you are like me, it's hard to keep motivated when the holidays come. There is so much to do, a lot of food and the weather makes me want to cuddle up with a good book. I have been staying motivated by working out during lunch. I do yoga twice a week, Zumba once a week and a workout DVD the other days at work. I can't imagine having time to work out for an hour if I don't just take my lunch break to exercise. I dedicate that time for my health and wellness. It gives me more energy and keeps me fit. I sure don't want to gain weight during the holidays. I'll be taking a week off to play tourist with my sister and my niece who will be visiting from Singapore. I haven't seen them for so long and we plan to do active things like ice skating, indoor rock climbing and spending days at amusement parks.

How do you keep motivated? Please post your replies in the comment section.