tag:,2009-02-04:/1 2009-09-22T20:22:53Z Serving San Antonio, the Texas Hill Country & the Rio Grande Valley since 1993 Movable Type 4.23-en tag:southtexasfitness.com,2009://1.242 2009-07-31T21:43:29Z 2009-09-22T20:22:53Z

Alright all you ladies out there! It's time to lace up your running shoes and head to the H.E.B. in Lincoln Heights. No -it is not a supermarket shopping game--it's the San Antonio Road Runners Women's 5K run/walk. Celebrating 30...

Patrick Deuley Alright all you ladies out there! It's time to lace up your running shoes and head to the H.E.B. in Lincoln Heights. No -it is not a supermarket shopping game--it's the San Antonio Road Runners Women's 5K run/walk. Celebrating 30 years of women running in the SARR, the event takes place Saturday, July 18 at 7:30 a.m. and is open to women of all ages. Registration fees range from $18 to $25 and early walk-in registration will take place until June 15 at Fleet Feet Sports on New Braunfels, all three Soler's Sports locations, Run.Gear.Run at Stone Oak and Run Wild Sport on Broadway. Packet pick-up and additional early registration will take place Friday, July 17 from noon until 7 p.m. at Lincoln Heights H.E.B. Participants can also register the day of the race from 6:30 until 7:30 a.m. in the Lincoln Heights H.E.B. parking lot. Prizes will be awarded in various categories. For information visit www.saroadrunners.com.]]> tag:southtexasfitness.com,2009://1.241 2009-07-01T21:21:08Z 2009-06-30T21:34:12Z

A cool sweet summer treatBy Janis TurkIt wouldn't seem like summer without an iced-down watermelon in the backyard for a picnic. But don't wait to have a Fourth of July barbecue to bring out that wonderful, cold red treat! Watermelons...

Patrick Deuley A cool sweet summer treat

By Janis Turk

It wouldn't seem like summer without an iced-down watermelon in the backyard for a picnic. But don't wait to have a Fourth of July barbecue to bring out that wonderful, cold red treat! Watermelons are good for you. They're an excellent natural food that's a good source of vitamins A, C and B6.

Did you know that ancient Egyptians also enjoyed watermelons? And why not! It was hot there, too, so Texans aren't the only ones who crave the cool, refreshing, watery taste of this sweet vegetable! (No, it's technically not a fruit, believe it or not). It's said that we've had watermelons in North America since the 1600s, and we've loved it ever since. Especially here in Texas watermelons are a big hit. They're an inexpensive, delicious, nutritious, large-sized snack that can feed a lot of people, and you can even grow them in your garden!

Folks in the nearby small town of Luling, off Interstate 10, are big watermelon fans. In fact, it's their town mascot of sorts, and there's even an annual Watermelon Thump festival each June when citizens celebrate this delectable gourd-like treat. There's even a Watermelon Queen crowned each year at "The Thump."

Water is one of the best parts about watermelons, as they are about 92 percent water and eight percent sugar. Early explorers sometimes used watermelons as a canteen, according to Ranjan Shandilya on the Web site www.buzzle.com. Though it seems watermelons would be pretty heavy to haul around with you on horseback or in a wagon. Life is easier for us now. We can get water from the tap and watermelons at the store. Watermelons are found everywhere--even sold on the side of the road this month!

So enjoy a nutritious, delicious treat. Have watermelon, blueberries and strawberries with whipped cream for a special Fourth of July celebration desert. Or enjoy chunks of icy cold watermelon for breakfast on the porch in the mornings. Have a big bowl of watermelon balls and cantaloupe balls on hand in the fridge when the kids come in from the pool. This cool treat will rehydrate them while giving them a sweet taste of summertime fun.

For more information about watermelon, go to.  www.buzzle.com/articles/watermelon-facts.html.


]]> tag:southtexasfitness.com,2009://1.240 2009-07-01T21:18:34Z 2009-06-30T21:58:21Z

By Annette M. Zaharoff, MDScientific reports are in fairly unanimous agreement that regular exercise will help prolong your life. In fact many of the symptoms of aging are now believed to be related more to disuse rather than the aging...

Patrick Deuley By Annette M. Zaharoff, MD

Scientific reports are in fairly unanimous agreement that regular exercise will help prolong your life. In fact many of the symptoms of aging are now believed to be related more to disuse rather than the aging process itself, which means you have some control over your aging process.

What happens
The most dramatic declines due to aging occur in muscle strength. You will lose six pounds of muscle each decade unless you do some type of resistance exercise to strengthen your muscles. Strength training may include the use of weights, exercise machines, elastic bands or any form of calisthenics that allows the muscles to get resistive training.

The loss of muscle mass not only changes our body composition and general strength, but it also lowers our metabolism and exposes us to greater risk of age-related disease. Typically, with the loss of muscle there is an increase in body fat. This combination adds extra strain on the heart, alters our body's ability to metabolize sugar (increasing the risk for diabetes) and can elevate the bad cholesterol and reduce the good cholesterol, leading to heart attack and stroke.

Building muscle is easier than you may think.
Strength training just 20 minutes a day, two or three times a week, for 10 to 12 weeks can rebuild three pounds of muscle and increase your metabolism by 7 percent. Boosting your metabolism will give you more energy; make you feel more alert, more focused and more alive! Many other systems of the body will benefit from increasing your muscle mass; reducing blood pressure, improving your ability to use glucose from the blood by 25 percent, increasing your bone mass by one to three percent and improving gastrointestinal efficiency by 55 percent.

Living longer
A regular exercise program consisting of 30 minutes of physical activity at least three days a week can reduce your risk of dying in the next eight years by 49 percent, improve brain function, cut your risk of Alzheimer's disease by up to 60 percent and decrease the symptoms of depression. Given that 80 percent of the population over 65 suffers from at least one chronic condition, and half have two or more, according to a report from the Census Bureau and the National Institute on Aging, exercise is a powerful medicine!
 
Scientists are learning more about how the aging process works. Aerobic and strength training impact every cell in the body, helping reduce inflammation, increase blood flow and even improving oxygen efficiency. Improvement in a tiny energy-producing factory called mitochondria function in our cells to take glucose, protein, and fat from the food we eat and turn them into energy. Exercise can be traced to improving the function of mitochondria which naturally declines with age.

Exercise also combats damage from free radicals created as a by product of using oxygen. Regular exercise over time can slow your resting heart rate, thereby decreasing the amount of oxygen you need overall and reducing the rate at which you create harmful free radicals.
No matter when you start, the evidence is clear: Daily physical activity can transform and prolong your life. If you need help getting started on a program or have had orthopedic injuries in the past, contact your sports medicine physician to help you get started on a safe program. Get started! Get healthy! Live longer!

Dr. Annette Zaharoff is a sports medicine physician specializing in the non-surgical evaluation and treatment of injuries. She maintains a private practice in San Antonio and may be reached by calling her office at (210) 616-0646 or visiting her Web site www.drZmd.com
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Put back fat behind you once and for all!by Shannon Sutton, certified personal trainerYou don't have to live with unsightly bulges resting over your bra straps! Good news, it's easy to tighten, tone and firm your back! One of the...

Patrick Deuley Put back fat behind you once and for all!

by Shannon Sutton, certified personal trainer

You don't have to live with unsightly bulges resting over your bra straps! Good news, it's easy to tighten, tone and firm your back! One of the easiest and most effective exercises is the lat pull. The bonus is that you're simultaneously working your back, delts (shoulders), bi's, tri's and abs with this one simple exercise.

You can either use gym equipment or simple tubing.

Grasp the bar bar with arms in "V" position (about 45 degrees) or wider. Begin with arms fully extended, spine lengthened and abs drawn in. Lean back slightly, squeeze your shoulder blades together, and pull the bar down just below your chin. Elbows should be pointed toward your glutes. Hold for a count, then slowly return to starting position, and repeat.

Your back is such a large muscle group, and the more lean it is, the more calories you are burning all of the time, even when you're sleeping! (The same is true with all lean muscle).

Even if you do not have a great deal of time to devote to self improvement, I would highly incorporating this exercise into your regular routine to help you get rid of back fat once and for all.

Shannon Sutton is an independent certified personal trainer. Her certifications include ISSA, NASM, APEX and Reebok. She has invested years in helping individuals reach their health, fitness and wellness goals. Contact her at (210) 722-3962.
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If you see people in your gym that look like they are gearing up to be on "Dancing with the Stars," then you are probably witnessing the latest craze in fitness--Zumba! Although Zumba been around SA for about four years,...

Patrick Deuley If you see people in your gym that look like they are gearing up to be on "Dancing with the Stars," then you are probably witnessing the latest craze in fitness--Zumba! Although Zumba been around SA for about four years, it has recently been gaining in popularity and showing up at more traditional clubs such as the Spectrum. Why? According to Zumba instructor and Challenge Fitness certified personal trainer Rachel Connor, it's because anyone can do it.

"There are people from many different fitness levels who participate," she says adding that she has taught classes that ranged from 20 year-olds to senior citizens.

 "It is neat to see people who have never worked out before start working out because it's fun," she says.

By definition, Zumba is Latin American dance so participants spend the 50 minute to one-hour classes gyrating through everything from salsa to merenge, reggaton and even hip hop. But besides being fun, Zumba is also one effective total body workout that combines cardio with conditioning. Each class varies depending on instructor and but it usually involves a balanced mix of slow and fast dances to get the most from the experience.

"But I can't dance," you wail. That's no excuse.  "It doesn't matter if you can't dance," assures Connor. "It's a party so no one cares. Everyone is having a good time and you do what you can."

Like any fitness routine such as step aerobics, yoga or Pilates, Zumba takes practice. You cannot expect to walk in and become an expert. You can expect to walk in and burn as many as 500 calories depending on your intensity. You can also expect to see people of all ages, shapes and sizes.

"I got involved in Zumba because it gave my clients a way to do cardio that was actually fun," says Connor. "It's not just running on a treadmill."

If you are considering a Zumba class for the first time, wear regular exercise clothes and running shoes. Also be aware of whether the class is Zumba or Zumba Gold.

"Gold is an easier class designed for senior citizens or someone who is overweight and just beginning an exercise program," explains Connor.

For more information or to find a class near you visit www.zumba.com.  

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What better way to spend a beautiful Sunday afternoon than with good friends, good food, great bike trails and maybe even a little shopping? Find out on Sunday, August 2, at 8:00 am, at the annual San Antonio Wheelmen Picnic...

Patrick Deuley What better way to spend a beautiful Sunday afternoon than with good friends, good food, great bike trails and maybe even a little shopping? Find out on Sunday, August 2, at 8:00 am, at the annual San Antonio Wheelmen Picnic held at Eisenhower Park. Take a brisk ride along an 18, 29 or 52-mile route and then kick back and relax while you chow down on some delicious food courtesy of Rudy's BBQ.


As if that isn't enough, there will also be a Schwappenbike. What, you may ask, is a Schwappenbike? It is kind of like a garage sale/swap meet where you bring any extra gear and equipment you don't want anymore and then barter and sell.


 Lunch will be served at at 11:30 am, and the cost is an $8 donation. You MUST  RSVP by July 31 in order to reserve food for you and your family. Visit www.sawheelmen.com. ]]> tag:southtexasfitness.com,2009://1.236 2009-06-01T20:45:38Z 2009-05-29T21:00:21Z

By Annette. M. Zaharoff, M.D.There are many types of treatments used in sports medicine to help injuries heal. Taping is one such treatment that has been used by athletes for many years. Recently, advances in taping techniques and materials have...

Mikel Allen By Annette. M. Zaharoff, M.D.

There are many types of treatments used in sports medicine to help injuries heal. Taping is one such treatment that has been used by athletes for many years. Recently, advances in taping techniques and materials have allowed even more effective treatment options to become available. Kinesio taping is one such method. Kinesio tape is used to facilitate healing and support areas that have been injured to allow athletes as well as weekend warriors to return to activity as soon as possible.

If you watched any of the 2009 Olympics, you may have noticed athletes from around the world sporting multi-colored tape like a badge of courage or a newly born tattoo. The tape which is intertwined around joints and ligaments as if to keep them from falling apart actually has a specific purpose and technique.

Kinesio tape is an elastic tape placed on the body to relieve tension support muscles and joints to allow them to heal. The Kinesio® Taping Method is applied over muscles to reduce pain and inflammation, relax overused or tired muscles and support muscles in movement on a 24-hour-a-day basis. It is not a restrictive type of taping and allows for full range of motion. In contrast, traditional sports taping is wrapped around a joint strictly for stabilization and support during an athletic event. Kinesio® Tex tape is used to treat anything from headaches to foot problems and everything in-between. Examples include rehabilitation from sports injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, lower back strain/pain (subluxation, herniated disc), knee and shoulder conditions and more.

This taping method requires a tape that is patient and skin-friendly, possesses optimum elastic qualities, is the same thickness and elasticity as the skin and that is durable enough to stay on for multiple days, even through sweating and showers.

Tape application

Without getting too technical, the tape is applied over the affected area with the muscles in a stretched position. Then the tape is applied from one end of the muscle to the other with very little to no stretch on the tape. The tape is applied from the origin to insertion of the muscle for support and from insertion to origin to reduce tension. There are also multiple applications to support joint motion as well.

There are many different colors available for Kinesio tape but there is no physical difference between the colors. Color choice is a matter of individual preference. Kinesio tape will not affect bio-mechanics of the patient. Latex-free, Kinesio® Tex Tape is safe for sensitive skin and for populations ranging from pediatric to geriatric.

If you are injured, talk to your sports medicine physician and find out if Kinesio tape may be helpful in your rehabilitation program. You can also visit my Web site, www.drZmd.com, for more information.

Dr. Annette Zaharoff is a sports medicine physician specializing in the non-surgical evaluation and treatment of injuries. She maintains a private practice in San Antonio and may be reached by calling her office at (210) 616-0646 or visiting her Web site www.drZmd.com
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Mikel Allen National Running Day - June 3
 
By Bonny Osterhage

Did you know that June 3 is National Running Day? People all across the country are lacing up their running shoes to hit the road to better health.

According to the Web site www.runningday.org, the mission of National Running Day is to "designate one national day to promote running as a healthy, easy and accessible form of exercise."

If you've never tried running as a form of exercise, June 3 is an excellent day to start. The Running Day Web site offers the following tips for beginners and novice runners:
•    Relax
•    Think positively
•    Buy quality gear
•    Train with a plan
•    Run at "conversation" pace
•    Include cross training if possible
•    Aim for a race

The site also points out that it is OK to begin with walking until you are able to build up to a comfortable running pace.

If you are still daunted by the idea of beginning a running routine, simply wear your running shoes to work on June 3. Not only are you showing support for this grassroots cause, but who knows? That simple act alone might prove to be just the motivation you need to get you on track.
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Dive into fitness this summerBy Bonny OsterhageWhen temperatures soar in South Texas, many of us turn to the neighborhood pool for some relief. But rather than just utilizing the pool for a heat reprieve, why not use it as a...

Mikel Allen Dive into fitness this summer

By Bonny Osterhage


When temperatures soar in South Texas, many of us turn to the neighborhood pool for some relief. But rather than just utilizing the pool for a heat reprieve, why not use it as a wonderful addition, or warm weather alternative, to your existing exercise regimen?

You can get a fantastic cardio and strength-training workout in the water without putting excessive stress and strain on your joints.

Why is swimming so effective? Water provides more than 700 times more resistance than air.

Why does that matter? Because it is like adding a full set of weights to any cardiovascular workout.  It's like getting a two for one -- all without significantly raising your body temperature!

The best part is that almost anyone can perform water exercises. All you need is a pool and a willingness to try something new.  Most gyms even offer water aerobics for all fitness levels to get you started.

So go ahead: Dive in to a new form of fitness this summer!

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Helping you get back on trackBy Janis TurkAre you a cool cat who loves to cycle in San Antonio?Then why not join the Cool Cats Cycling Club, The San Antonio Wheelmen or the Hill Country Bicycle Touring Club, or any...

Mikel Allen Helping you get back on track

By Janis Turk

Are you a cool cat who loves to cycle in San Antonio?

Then why not join the Cool Cats Cycling Club, The San Antonio Wheelmen or the Hill Country Bicycle Touring Club, or any one of many other local clubs for cycling enthusiasts in our area? It's a good way to get some support as you get back on the bike this summer and get in shape or just have some fun. You don't have to be an expert cyclist at all--most welcome even novice cyclists. All you need is a bike of some kind, a desire to ride, and the interest in sharing the experience with others.

While you're getting back on track, there are some other helpful organizations that the Cool Cats Cycling Club Web site says may be helpful to you, too:

•    Bicycle Texas www.bicycletexas.com - This Web site will give you lots of useful information on cycling in Texas, including a good calendar of upcoming rides.

•    The Texas Bicycle Coalition (TBC) is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization dedicated to advancing bicycle access, safety and education in Texas. See their Web site at www.biketexas.org

•    The League of American Bicyclists is a national organization dedicated to advancing the interests of cyclists nationwide. See their Web site at www.bikeleague.org]]> tag:southtexasfitness.com,2009://1.232 2009-06-01T15:33:25Z 2009-05-28T15:56:17Z

Using mantras in Yoga meditationBy Janis TurkAt a Hollywood party, a guy calls his guru and says in a panic, "I forgot my mantra." It's a funny moment in a classic movie -- a line said by Jeff Goldblum's character...

Mikel Allen Using mantras in Yoga meditation

By Janis Turk

At a Hollywood party, a guy calls his guru and says in a panic, "I forgot my mantra." It's a funny moment in a classic movie -- a line said by Jeff Goldblum's character in Woody Allen's Oscar-winning Annie Hall.

Allen was making fun of the 1970s Hollywood crowd's tendency at the time to practice Yoga and transcendental meditation just because it was "in." However, here in South Texas we're not that closely tied to West Coast trends and East Coast cool anymore (if, indeed, we ever were). If we practice Yoga and meditation, it's because we find they're good for both our minds and bodies, and maybe even our souls. But in recent South Texas Fitness and Health stories, we haven't talked about mantras much or even focused on the meditation side of Yoga in a while. In a sense, we've "forgotten our mantras," or at least the importance of them.

So what is a mantra exactly?

A mantra is a sound, a syllable, a word or phrase -- any utterance, really -- that is used during meditation to help us achieve a sense of spiritual transformation or to encourage us to quiet our minds and focus. Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism all use mantras as part of their religious meditation, as do other Eastern meditation and Yoga practices. But mantras aren't some weird Eastern religion practice or 70s-style hippie thing that Texans can't relate to -- you can be a hip, 2009 Christian or even a non-hippie non-believer and still utilize a mantra to help you focus during your meditation. It's just a way of using a word or thought to help empty the mind and open the soul.

Try to meditate for ten minutes, and you'll find you spend the first nine or more trying to turn down the noise in your head. The mind is easily distracted by the worries, reminders, distractions and work loads that fill our minds each day, and having a mantra to concentrate on and repeat, either aloud or in our minds, helps sharpen our focus and drown out other thoughts, keeping us centered and open.

According to several Internet sources, including Wikipedia.com, " The Sanskrit word mantra- consists of the  root man- "to think" (also in manas "mind") and the suffix -tra meaning, tool, hence a literal translation would be "instrument of thought."

That's a nice way of explaining it, as Mantras are just that -- instruments that are often helpful to our thoughts, so they're often a central part of one's Yoga practice. Some say repeating a mantra over and over helps to loosen the body for better breathing and concentration. Others say it helps them remain focused, and some say it even helps them spiritually to move to new levels outside themselves.

Some basic mantras often used in Yoga practice/meditation include:
OM (or AUM), with an emphasis or drawing out of the "mmm" part. It creates a vibration or a hum when done properly.

SOHAM - Say the "sooo" part while you inhale and the "humm" part as you exhale.
Some mantras are sentences with a positive thought message.
Others are a repetition of the name of God.
Others are small "compact" prayers.

Whatever you wish to focus upon that brings you further clarity, better concentration, better breathing and inner serenity is perfectly valid. So find the mantra that works for you -- and remember to use it. When you do meditate and do Yoga properly, it will be an instrument of peace, meditation, and focus, and you'll surely benefit from it. You'll better understand why mantras are so helpful -- then you won't have to phone it in, and you surely won't forget it. ]]> tag:southtexasfitness.com,2009://1.231 2009-06-01T15:21:57Z 2009-05-28T15:33:19Z

Tips for Nutritious Summer SnacksBy Janis TurkThe kids are home for summer, and they're ready to raid the fridge and your pantry. What will they find there? Ice cream bars, sodas, sweets and salty crackers?Why not head them off at...

Mikel Allen Tips for Nutritious Summer Snacks

By Janis Turk

The kids are home for summer, and they're ready to raid the fridge and your pantry. What will they find there? Ice cream bars, sodas, sweets and salty crackers?

Why not head them off at the pass by stocking up on nutritious summer treats that will be just as tempting on a hot summer's day?

Try having these on hand:
Keep a sealable plastic container full of sliced strawberries in the fridge, along with another full of cold watermelon already de-seeded and cut into cubes. How about a big juicy bowl of cherries and another with plump blueberries, too? They're great for the kids, and great tasting, too.

In the freezer, how about homemade popsicles made from pure lemonade made with only minimum amounts of real sugar (not unnatural artificial sweeteners). Nearby, have a bowl of frozen grapes. Kids think they're cool, and they make great ice-cubes, for that pitcher of passion fruit and raspberry summer tea you should be making, too.

Make kiwis more fun by serving them with little spoons. Show your kids how to cut off the top of the kiwi and then scoop out the fruit inside. They're nature's perfect little containers, and the kids will think it is fun.

Keep plastic jars of dried soybeans or almonds on hand in the pantry. Dried fruits are good, too--tell the boys that the apricots are dried ears. Dried banana chips are a hit with kids, too, but don't let them eat too many--some are made with lots of added sugar.

Let the kids have at a cantaloupe, honeydew melon or watermelon with a melon ball scooper. They're likely to put as many scoops in their mouths as they do the bowl you provide.

Food should be fun, but it should also be good for your kids. This summer, prepare your pantry and refrigerator for all the fun soon to come.

Schools out for summer -- make sure your fridge is ready. ]]> tag:southtexasfitness.com,2009://1.228 2009-05-02T04:02:37Z 2009-05-01T15:41:23Z

Swine flu isn't related to the foods you consumeBy Janis TurkRe-thinking serving your mom's smothered pork chop recipe for dinner tonight because of the swine flu pandemic sweeping South Texas? Well, don't. There's no need to put away the pork...

Mikel Allen Swine flu isn't related to the foods you consume

By Janis Turk

Re-thinking serving your mom's smothered pork chop recipe for dinner tonight because of the swine flu pandemic sweeping South Texas? Well, don't. There's no need to put away the pork chops. You can't get the swine flu that way.

Purdue University experts say that avoiding pork unnecessary, for this frightening strain of influenza, commonly called "Swine Flu," is not a food-borne pathogen, meaning it's not transmitted through the food you eat and there is "no risk to the food supply," according to their experts. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention along with the U.S. Department of Agriculture have both indicated that influenza is not passed through food.

Purdue Extension nutrition specialist Melissa Maulding is explains, "The flu is a virus that is transmitted through interaction with people, so the biggest defense against catching the flu is to wash your hands."

According to a story on the AgAnswers.Com Web site, which helps answer questions related to the business and science of agriculture and more, Dr. Paul D. Ebner, assistant professor of animal sciences at Purdue University said that, "while the current strain infecting humans is an H1N1 virus that is normally associated with pigs, it is not a classic swine virus. It has changed, obviously in a dramatic way that has allowed it to more easily infect humans. Previously there were a few occurrences of humans catching the flu from pigs, but this strain is different."

So go ahead: Keep pork on tonight's menu -- but be sure to wash your hands first and take care to avoid contact with anyone who might be ill.
]]> tag:southtexasfitness.com,2009://1.230 2009-05-01T22:11:39Z 2009-05-01T16:54:28Z

Finding the Yoga fit that's right for youBy Bonny OsterhageUntil very recently, I assumed Yoga was the most non-energetic activity in which one could participate, second only to watching grass grow.A high-intensity adrenaline junkie, I am of the belief that...

Mikel Allen Finding the Yoga fit that's right for you

By Bonny Osterhage

Until very recently, I assumed Yoga was the most non-energetic activity in which one could participate, second only to watching grass grow.

A high-intensity adrenaline junkie, I am of the belief that unless there is good music, lots of sweat and fatigued muscles, any other kind of workout is a waste of my precious time.

But last week, a friend challenged me to try the Ashtanga practice of Yoga. Given the excellent shape said friend is in, I agreed (with a smirk and eye roll) to give it a try. After 90 minutes of moving myself from one posture to the next, I realized that, not only was I sweating, I was also engaging muscles I didn't know I had. Furthermore, rather than feeling fatigued after doing Yoga, I felt energized and rejuvenated.

I returned the next day to the Ashtanga Yoga class and now consider myself hooked.

Why am I sharing this? Because Yoga really is for everyone; you just have to find the type that works for you.

Contrary to my earlier misconceptions, not all Yoga practices are the same. In order to help you find the class that works for you, the following list offers very general breakdown of some of the most common Yoga practices. Whether you want a relaxing mind/body focus, or a more intense workout, there is something for everyone and every body type.

Ashtanga
One of the great things about this fast-paced, intense class is that the poses are executed in the same order every time. Through repetition you gain strength and flexibility.

Bikram
This is a series of 26 yoga postures preformed in a sweltering 100◦F room. The intense amount of sweating that ensues cleanses the body and rids it of toxins. It also limbers the muscles, thus allowing them to fall into the poses more easily. But this high-heat Yoga practice is not for the faint of heart.

Hatha
This is the slow and gentle practice that most often comes to mind when you hear the term "Yoga," so it is an excellent choice for beginners.

Iyengar
Rather than flowing quickly from one pose to the next, Iyengar Yoga focuses on body alignment by holding the postures for longer periods of time. Yoga straps, blocks and other props are incorporated into this style.

Kundalini
While all Yoga practices focus on the correct breathing techniques, Kundalini places an emphasis on coordinating the breath with the movement as you flow quickly through the postures.

Vinyasa
Another class that coordinates breathing with movement, a Vinyasa Yoga class consists of several sun salutations followed by a series of intense stretching.

So find your own Yoga style today.
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For the Beach to Bay Relay Marathon in Corpus ChristiBy Bonny OsterhageIt's that time of year again! On Saturday, May 16, at 7 a.m., thousand of runners will take their marks at Nueces County Park on the beach in Corpus...

Mikel Allen For the Beach to Bay Relay Marathon in Corpus Christi

By Bonny Osterhage

It's that time of year again! On Saturday, May 16, at 7 a.m., thousand of runners will take their marks at Nueces County Park on the beach in Corpus Christi for the 34th annual Beach to Bay Relay Marathon.

Each team of six runners begins the first leg of the race on North Padre Island along the sandy beach. The remaining three legs take place on pavement and wind runners through the Naval Air Station before ending at Cole Park in downtown Corpus Christi.

Steeped in tradition, the Beach to Bay Marathon is always held on the third Saturday in May, which is Armed Forces Day. This event began in 1976 as a way to honor those brave men and women who serve in the military.

The cost to participate is $185 per team. For information call (361) 881-6166 or visit the Web site at www.beachtobayrelay.com
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