So what is Yoga-Pilates Fusion?
In a nutshell, yoga will develop a flexible body and calm mind, Pilates will develop core strength and is excellent to alleviate and prevent certain kinds of back pain. Yoga-Pilates fusion brings the advantages of these two kinds of exercise together so you don't have to choose between the two.

The first class in the new course just took place today, Tuesday Feb. 7th at 9.30am in the beautiful Spotlight Studio on Main St. Arklow. New courses will be starting soon on Wed and Thursday morning at the Ananta Yoga Studio and Friday morning at the Gorey Holistic Centre. This is a perfect time to start. You can drop the kids off to creche or school and have your workout completed by 10.30, ready to head to work or home to chill out before picking up your little one again or into town for a well-earned latte before you get back into action again.

Keep an eye on the schedule at http://www.therapyandyoga.com/timetable.html for new classes always make sure to text before joining a new class as timetable always subject to change.

That's right! A whole new schedule of classes with yours truly starts this July at KB Fitness on Fitzwilliam St. in the posh D2 part of town. KB Fitness is right in Dublin City Centre with a range of fitness classes, amazing instructors and now of course, a full schedule of Yoga, Pilates and Yoga Pilates Fusion classes.

Check out the full schedule here http://www.kbfitness.ie/yoga-and-pilates.html and call KB Fitness directly on 01 6629723 for details.

Here's my profile on their site http://www.kbfitness.ie/trainers.html.

Spread the word folks!!

Liam B.

In recent years, particularly since the MBT revolution and the popularity of power walking, many companies have begun to claim that the design of their trainer will actually tone up your legs, buns/glutes just be wearing them while walking. The claim by Reeboks Easytone trainer has been refuted by the ASA but this doesn't take away from the fact that so many people are still looking for a way to get that extra burn in those particular areas. I love my MBTs, although I haven't really used them in a while and I can't say anything one way or the other about the Reebok Easytone, however, what I do know is that certain yoga and Pilates exercises are super effective for targeting these areas. Particularly in these snowbound days when a power walk really isn't an option.

So which poses are best to tone up the glutes in particular? Well, most variations of the Locust pose will do this. Lying face down, lift and stretch your legs away behind you and hold for 3 to 10 breaths. You can do one leg at a time if you want. Chair pose or Awkward Pose are two more which strengthen legs and tone glutes. Pilates Leg Pull Prone with leg lifts is also a powerful strengthener for the glutes.

Of course the best way to learn these exercises is from a trained and qualified instructor and every new exercise regime should be discussed with your health practitioner.

Enjoy the snow and don't forget to tone up and burn those glutes the holistic way!

This is a very common complaint both for people coming to yoga / pilates classes and for acupuncture / massage therapy. Stress is so often held in the shoulders as a protective response to stress and over months and years can lead to chronic upper back pain.

Thankfully this is very easy to remedy and to prevent. Acupuncture and Tuina massage work with or without a combination of relaxing cupping therapy is not only an effective way of relieving this kind of stress but is also a very rlaxing and enjoyable treatment.

But what happen after therapy? If you go back to your old habits then over time the same chronic pain will begin to develop. With a few simple yoga stretches and Pilates movements this can be easily avoided.

Yoga Eagle pose is the most effective to target that tight area between the shoulder blades. Add to this a Pilates spine stretch and the effects can be miraculous in preventing future pain. Both these simple exercises can be done sitting in a chair or even in the driving seat if your car is (fully) stopped in traffic. If you have time at home to do a short 5 to 15 minute routine with some additional simple exercises (Swan dive, Spine Twist, Cat Pose, Dolphin Pose) then not only will the results on the upper back be better but your mood will also lift, you will breathe better and sleep better.

If you would like to discuss this or a similar issue, please don't hesitate to contact us on 086 408 2428 or info@therapyandyoga.com

If you have a medical issue please consult with a medical professional. This blog is informational only and is not intended for self-diagnosis or as a substitute for professional medical advice.