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…

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…

by Margaret Burns Vap, Big Sky Yoga Retreats
If the economy has put a damper on your yoga class attendance, it’s time to start a home practice. A home practice can help fine-tune your grasp of the basics, so you can get more out of class time and more bang for your yoga buck. More yoga, better yoga -– it’s a win-win. A home practice doesn’t have to be long or elaborate either; you can easily squeeze it into your day without the extra time needed to get to class. Just unroll your mat in a quiet and reasonably clear space (indoors or out) and go to it. Let’s start with the sun salutations…

by Mayachela (Maya) Garcia, CSCS
It’s been a busy day—full of deadlines, clients, emails and of course, mommy errands. Did I remember to buy his teething tablets? Who knows… I know one thing for sure though—despite those dreadful bags under my eyes, I can’t rest tonight because it’s my night to train. An upcoming kettlebell competition looms…

by Margaret Burns Vap, Big Sky Yoga Retreats
Hiking is a great reminder to have fun when you exercise. We do it not just for the health benefits, but also for enjoyment. Health-wise, it’s great to get outside and into nature, and there’s the body and mind benefits of the long, low-intensity cardio workout from a good solid hike. So what else do you need to add to this almost-perfect mix? Yoga, of course.

by Mayachela (Maya) Garcia, CSCS
I never anticipated how much weight I would gain while growing a 9 pound boy for ten months. I planned on being one of those girls we all see on You Tube and running laps during my last trimester, but in reality all I could do was walk in straight lines…

by Margaret Burns Vap, Big Sky Yoga Retreats
Margaret demonstrates her favorite Cowgirl Yoga poses for stretching and strengthening the muscles affected by horse riding. Try them before or after you ride to enhance your time in the saddle…