Fitness

A closer look at the practice of yoga reveals a huge range of health benefits waiting to enrich the lives of men who are bold enough to embrace it.

Those of you who have ever used the services of a personal trainer are more than likely familiar with the arduous task of keeping a food diary or log.

Food diaries are a pain in the butt, i don’t deny that. Toting around a note pad and pen and scrawling down a bizzare description of every mouthful you eat before it even has had time to digest (“deck of cards sized piece of chicken breast” or “tennis ball of greek yoghurt with 7 almonds”) becomes tedious very quickly..BUT, they do work.

The winter months can be less than inspiring when it comes to exercise. Reboot your fitness routine and invigorate your body, mind and soul by making the most of indoor exercise with Bikram yoga.

Water is an important part of many religious rituals and narratives representing refreshment and renewal. Even going for a walk near a body of water can lift the spirits, so why does this liquid wonder have such an effect on our bodies, hearts and minds?

Postnatal yoga isn’t just for women who want to get rid of the baby belly, but also for those who want to strengthen their bodies and find a few moments of peace amid the newborn experience.

Yoga is great for cultivating arm strength. Many women, myself included, feel their strength is somewhat lacking when it comes to the arms. Yoga offers a way to gradually build up that strength. Although many of the yoga positions that are arm intensive may seem physically challenging at first, it’s important to stick with them. Even if you can only hold the pose for a few seconds, it’s a start. Practise will help you progress and gradually cultivate strength and endurance.

Yoga places great focus on the abdominal and core strength. However, there’s more to this than just achieving perfectly toned six pack. Your abdominals are literally your core – your centre – so it’s essential we keep this area strong.

For sufferers of multiple sclerosis, symptoms are debilitating and difficult to live with. Gentle yoga can help to naturally reduce symptoms and improve the quality of life for the many who live with the disease.

By looking in the mirror to see where your curves and weight are distributed, you can predict your health status now and in the future.

Cardiovascular disease is responsible for over 40 per cent of deaths in Australia. Discover how the practise of yoga can improve cardiovascular health and increase your lifespan.

Think of southeast Queensland and you picture sundrenched beaches and the glitzy Gold Coast. For a refreshing alternative, head west for one of Australia’s best-kept secrets.

As you age, it’s likely that your muscle strength will decrease, but specific resistance training exercises can maintain your strength by training your brain.