by Mayachela (Maya) Garcia, CSCS
Interested in learning to lift kettlebells? It’s vital that you first learn some of the technical aspects of kettlebell lifting in order to safely begin your program. In this exclusive instructional series for Athleta Chi, the first foundational movement we’ll cover is the one-handed Kettlebell Swing. ICKB competitor and candidate for Master of Sport Jessica Dibiase demonstrates this powerful compound movement that involves total body integration. Every muscle along the torso and legs are recruited for maximum output under load, which also makes it one of the most effective ways to strengthen our bodies from top to bottom…
Adventure Travel
My Sporty Souvenir
by Dina Mishev
Of course I wanted an awesome souvenir. Morocco was a brand-spanking-new-for-me country. Since it’s full of awesome stuff like indigenous pottery, spices, metalwork, and leather goods, it’s not surprising I came home with my most unique souvenir yet from a trip abroad. Unfortunately, just because it’s my most unique souvenir ever doesn’t mean it’s my best souvenir ever…
Jungle Journal
by Tamara Jacobi, Eco-Adventurer
The air is heavy and filled with an anxious, waiting, energy. I am captivated as I imagine the scene before me as an angry Poseidon, the Greek God of the ocean, emerging from the depths of the sea. Dusk turns to night, and lightning bolts hauntingly illuminate the steep jungle ridges that drop to the ocean. The accompanying booms and cracks grow more powerful as the storm approaches. Suddenly, after six months without rain and without even a single warning drop, the sky opens and pours torrentially…
Yoga
Breathe. Feel. Trust. Giddy Up.
by Margaret Burns Vap, Big Sky Yoga Retreats
There are many similarities between practicing yoga and riding a horse, which is how Cowgirl Yoga, a merging of horses and yoga, came about. Despite the similarities, there is one very, very big difference between yoga and riding: when you practice yoga you are on your mat, an inanimate object; when you ride a horse, you are on a living being that possesses its own feelings, intuition and instinct. Most of the time you can be pretty sure your mat is not going to fly out from under you — this doesn’t necessarily hold true for the horse…
OMbody Mini Practice
by Margaret Burns Vap, Big Sky Yoga Retreats
In Be An OMbody we focused on sun salutations as the cornerstone for a home practice. Now that you’re feeling comfortable saluting the sun at home, the next step is to build a well-rounded practice. Many wanna-be at-home practitioners have the misconception that, in order to make their practice well-rounded, they need a huge chunk of time to dedicate to yoga. Not so. The sequence that follows should only take 20-25 minutes…
Inside Athleta
Outdoor Yoga
It’s the perfect time of year to get out of the studio and into nature. Here’s some inspiration to open the door…
{more»} Share Your Chi
Where Were You in 1972?On this day in 1972, Congress passed Title IX, the civil rights law authored by Patsy T. Mink, prohibiting discrimination in federally funded education programs and activities. To commemorate the anniversary of Title IX, we’d love to hear from Chi readers…
{more»} Cycling
Training for a Century Ride: Part 2with Kathleen Burke Jensen & Sage Rountree
Let’s catch up on Part 2 of the virtual coaching sessions with Sage Rountree advising Kathleen Burke Jensen as she prepares to attempt a personal first—a 100 mile bike ride as a member of Team Fatty in the LiveStrong Challenge…
Training for a Century Ride: Part 1with Kathleen Burke Jensen & Sage Rountree
Last year Kathleen Burke Jensen left behind her life as a self-proclaimed non-athlete and joined the ranks of the first time triathlete with coach Morgan Filler guiding her through the challenges of open water swimming. For 2009, Kathleen is attempting another personal first—a 100 mile bike ride as a member of Team Fatty in the LiveStrong Challenge. This year we introduced Kathleen to Sage Rountree, USA Cycling certified coach. We invite Athleta Chi readers to eavesdrop on their conversation…
Tips From a Pro
Inspiration and Passionby Jennifer Yanazzo, Mountain Bike Racer
An amazing power we possess as human beings is the ability to inspire others. We are the only animal on the planet that has the brain capacity to influence others. How we choose to do this is one part learning experience, one part personality, one part strength and one part courage. People carry with them experiences both good and bad. I choose to believe that all experiences have the power to change us…
Running
Get a Running Startby Sage Rountree, USA Triathlon Certified Coach and Registered Yoga Teacher
Here on Athleta Chi, you’ll find my plans to get you through a fast 5K, 10K, or half marathon race. The key word there is race — the training schedule gets you ready to be speedy (define speedy however you like). But if you’re not already running, that doesn’t mean it’s out of reach. There are many good plans and tools to help you get a running start…
