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Nov
26

Goop Partners With Beyond Yoga: Top… For Those Unhindered by Breasts

Quilted One Shoulder TopComing out of the American Thanksgiving weekend, I have to admit to a particular weekness.

It comes in the form of my bed and a roster of cable movies… yes, I know there’s Netflix, but I can’t adequately describe the particular brand of glee that comes from seeing a long list of romantic comedies or period pieces on my cable guide… with a particular penchant for my Big 5:  Hugh Grant, Sandra Bullock, Emma Thompson, Julia Roberts and… wait for it… Gwyneth Paltrow.

I’ve admitted to a few things here: 1. that I watch T.V in my bed; 2. all weekend; 3. have a remarkably high tolerance for fops and the british- real, fake, no matter- and; 4. lean decidedly towards brain candy in my weekend viewing… dear Emma excepted of course.

That said, it should seem all the more appropriate that in my equally vapid surfing over to Goop this should catch my eye.

In collaboration with Beyond Yoga, Gwyneth presents the Quilted One Shoulder Top.

I actually think that, with my fried eggs, I could pull this off, and will add it to my list to Santa.  But for most women with real breasts, I’m not sure how practical this might be if you have intentions of  actually practicing yoga in it.

I know Gwyneth makes it look oh so practical and practice-friendly- I mean, she’s sweating!- but, as you know, that’s what Gwyneth does… makes everything look just so easy.

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Category: beauty, clothing, news, people, Products, yoga  One Comment
Nov
05

Say ‘No’ to Botox and Fillers… Try a Little Injection of Facial Yoga!

Yoga for Your Face
Millions are spent each year by otherwise sane folks injecting neuro-toxins and synthetic  Hyaluronic Acid (sounds bad, but its natural counterpart is actually found in a youthful face) into their faces and other body parts to stave off the ravages of time.

And, while the ravages spare no one, perhaps, like me, the idea of needles filled with sickness and goo being injected into into your body is even more oogie than the perpetual frown that is steadily developing… “Are you mad, mommy- why do you always look mad, mom?”

But, hey!  All is not lost to those of us who reject the costly,  rather frightening and, let’s face it, frustratingly impermanent medical solutions.

Thanks to the drive to stay looking younger naturally there is a cheaper, non-medical, and let’s face it, frustratingly impermanent, yogic alternative!

As with yoga as a regular practice to keep our muscles strong and limber, staving off the inevitable fraying with time, the age-old practice is effective with our facial muscles as well.  It can be the alternative to the more invasive needle procedures that can be financially prohibitive not to mention just plain gross.

Developed by Annelise Hagen, of New York Yoga, who wrote a book on mastering what she calls the ultimate facelift, facial yoga provides a wonderfully natural and invigorating way to stay looking younger.

As Annelise explains, there is a particular technique to making the faces that make up the unique practice.

In an interview with “Good Morning America, “If you just made weird squirmy faces randomly you’d get more wrinkles,” she said. “We’re trying to tone and lift the muscles of the face. It’s been scientifically proven that the muscular activity helps to prolong the production of collagen and elastin, which makes your face firm and springy.”  Hagen maintains that this practice of yoga for the face allows people to guide the way their face ages from the inside out.

In addition to the regular needle treatments and other procedures, Dr. Neil Sadick, the lucky go-to dermatologist to some of the wives of “The Real Housewives of New York,” does, in fact, also recommend yoga for the face to his patients, saying it promotes the production of collagen.

Face yoga stimulates muscles, Sadick said, adding that “although there’s not great science around it compared to other technologies like chemical peels or Botox, we know that by stimulating any component of your face like your muscles you’re going to have a beneficial effect in terms of your overall appearance.”

And there you have it…. looking younger may not have to mean endless costly visits to the cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist, numbing and plumping with disease and fillers.  There may actually be an alternative that promotes not only looking younger, but actually doing it gracefully… for free!

Read more….

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Category: Anti-aging, beauty, green, health, surrender, yoga  Leave a Comment
Jan
20

Yoga (& loveliness) by Equinox… Happy Friday!

Inspiration!  This is just simply beautiful…….

More on the lovely Briohny Kate-Smyth here and here.

Category: Articles, beauty, health, instruction, people, Postures, Practice, Spirit, strength, surrender, yoga  Leave a Comment
Nov
22

Yoga + Couples: David & Victoria Beckham

If you’re looking for a pair of bodies to get you motivated to hit the mat, I suppose you don’t have to look much farther than the Beckhams.

Style icons for sure, but the picture of yogic marital bliss?  Who knew?!

With the help of twice a week couple sessions at The Sports Club LA in Beverly Hills, not only are their bodies kept enviably beautiful but their relationship too, is apparently made that much stronger.

According to an insider, “It’s a very intimate experience. You have to learn to become one entity entirely. You stretch, breathe and move as one – it’s great for couples and is probably better than talking in a way.”

In addition to regular practice of deprivation yoga to keep their bodies lean and lovely, thanks to the classes which include the ancient hands-on healing energy technique of reiki as well as meditation where the pair chant mantras to one another, Becks, 35 and Posh, 36, married 11 years, are able to better weather the persistent accusations of David’s infidelity that seem to plague them.

Keeping a man like David Beckham, and his various appetites, satisfied has got to be a full-time job… let’s hope the power of yoga can help out a little.

Category: beauty, health, news, people, weight loss, yoga  Leave a Comment
Jun
26

Yoga… Not Just For Size 6′s

heavyweight yogaYoga isn’t just for your average Jennifer Aniston type body anymore.  With obesity in North America reaching epidemic proportions it really can’t be.

But when self-loathing is such a fundamental part of day-to-day life, where do the plus-size go to enjoy the effects of yoga but would rather not have to stare into a size-4 behind for 90 minutes?

Unfortunately, there aren’t many choices.  But, seeing the need, and knowing first-hand the difficulty, Texas yoga instructor Abby Lentz came up with a plan.

As an active plus-size woman, Abby knew the importance of not only a safe place in which to allow such physical vulnerability as learning postures in a body that would be perhaps less than receptive, but also founding principles that would facilitate participation.  She refers to them as the Three A’s-  awareness, acceptance and affection.

For people to start the program, and more importantly continue, Abby’s goal is to encourage women to accept and love their bodies NOW, not when they finally manage to lose pounds or shrink jeans sizes.  It’s about influencing the self-loathing before the weight-loss.

Read more….

Category: beauty, gratitude, health, Practice, Spirit, strength, Trends, weight loss, yoga  One Comment
Nov
11

gaiaconceptions at Etsy: Skorts & Much More! Oooooohhhh! Not Want… NEED!!

If I had this… this handy, mcdandy Skort from gaiaconceptions over at Etsy, well, I too would prance around in my Wellingtons.

Gaiaconceptions offers a whole line of remarkably cute and functional items, all utilizing organic fabrics such as hemp and cotton.

As I peruse her shop, I’m really left conflicted as to which of her lovely items I plan to put on the old Christmas list!

But more likely, with the soft fabric and comfy, snug fitting boy short beneath, I’ll enjoy it for my summer practice out on my NEW DECK!

In this skort I will be sporty, in its function… stylish, in its short, skort-y sexiness and the colours, hand-dyed, a wonderful selection of  bold and bright..  and comfortable, in it’s fabric, soft organic cotton and hemp.

Just all ’round cute and functional- from yoga practice to a bike ride to lunch out with the gals.

I will so be sending the link to this, the Pokara Shirt of organic hemp and cotton, to hubby… I can see this for beginning practice, skating at the lake… or just sitting with a big bowl of popcorn with a movie in front of the fireplace.

I love, love, love the versatility of the cowl neck, especially living here in the frozen North as we do.  It’s lined with FLEECE, people!

I’m also a total sucker for extra-long sleeves with thumb holes!!

The hand-dyed fabrics, as with the skort above, come in a beautiful selection of bold and vibrant colours, making this a fall-winter must have for just about anyone!  A fantastic gift for that lover of the comfy-cozy… ahem.

Before I end this post… keeping myself from posting gaiaconceptions entire line… I had to include this unique and lovely skirt. I love this:

The Ruffle Butt Long Skirt. In a blend of organic cotton and hemp, it’s perfect for casual wear or to dress up for a night out.  The wonderful hand-dyed fabric colours are available as with the other items from gaiaconceptions.

The unique ruffle in the back is a wonderful “nod to the bustle Gaia Conceptions style“.  With a stretchy waist band it looks to be a comfortable and flattering choice for any woman’s body.

I’ll keep this in mind for next spring, as its “a fun skirt for all seasons.”

The Ruffle Butt Long Skirt is paired with the Drawstring Tank.

I will no doubt be featuring more of  gaiaconceptions amazing clothing here at MommyOm.

Peruse her shop and without a doubt you’ll be sure to find something…  it’s all just so beautiful!

Category: beauty, clothing, etsy, Products  Leave a Comment
Oct
27

LUSH… indulgent, luxurious, handmade… and ALMOST edible!

If you’ve ever had the experience of walking in- or past, for that matter- a LUSH shop you know that the delectable smell is downright overwhelming… in the BEST possible way!

The delicious smelling beauty products are all unique in name and ingredients and, from the lack of uniformity from piece to piece, are also obviously beautifully handmade, such as the Buttercream soap and Bubble Bar.

There’s nothing like seeing the baskets and shelves overflowing with these goodies, where you can touch and smell each different chunk, ball or bowl of goo… and currently the internet isn’t quite able to echo the experience completely, but if you visit LUSH online, there’s bound to be something you won’t be able to resist.

I’ve tried the bath bombs and I love the massage bars… oh, and the facials… don’t get me started about the facials.  Just don’t mistake them for muesli… no, really.

Category: beauty, green, Products  Leave a Comment