PopSugar

YOGA CHALLENGE: Standing Bound Split

FitSugar — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 15:10:00 -0800

How's it going fellow yogis? Have you been opening your hamstrings practicing the Bound Wide-Legged Forward Bend pose? I hope so because I have a really fun challenge for you.

But wait - before you give this a try, make sure you have a friend ready with a camera to take your picture.

Then visit the YOGA CHALLENGE Group.

My favorite will be posted right here on FitSugar!

Are you ready for Standing Bound Split?

Start in Bound Wide-Legged Forward Bend, and step your feet closer together, so they're underneath your hips.
Shift your weight into your left leg (or whichever leg is not bound).
Slowly lift your bound leg up off the ground.
You can keep it bent and work on staying balanced, or try to straighten your leg.
If your leg is straight, try looking away from your leg.
Just reverse the steps to come out of it and then try the other side.

How'd it go? I had a tough time staying balanced - every time I tried to straighten my leg, I tipped over. Want to see my bloopers? Then read more

View 6 Photos ›

Strike A Pose: Bound Wide-Legged Forward Bend

FitSugar — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 08:30:00 -0800

OK, we're going to tone it down a little from the last challenge, Tripod Balance Pose into Crow.

Here's a pose that works your hamstrings and opens your chest and shoulders at the same time.

Bound Wide-Legged Forward Bend

Begin with your feet about 3-4 feet apart.
Bend at your knees and hips, lean forward and bring your right elbow and arm through your legs and behind your right hamstring.

Reach your left arm behind your lower back.
Try to bind around your right leg, touching your hands together - if you can, the right hand holds the left wrist.
From here, try to straighten through your legs, and pull your right shoulder open towards the ceiling.
Stay here for 5 breaths and then switch sides.

That's it folks. Practice opening up those hamstrings - you'll need it for next week's challenge. Want to see previous challenges? Go to It's a STRETCH: Fit's Yoga Challenge group.

Strike a Yoga Pose: Seated Half Bound Lotus

FitSugar — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 10:00:41 -0700

Most of us suffer from stiff hamstrings and hips, so here's a pose that will increase flexibility in both. It's one of the seated postures in Ashtanga Yoga's Primary Series, and although it looks pretty basic, being in half lotus can be very challenging for those with tight hips.

Sanskrit Name: Ardha Baddha Padma Paschimottanasana
English Translation: Half Bound Lotus Western Intense Stretch Pose
Also Called: Seated Half Bound Lotus

To learn how to do this forward bend variation read more.

Begin sitting on the mat with both legs straight out in front of you. Bend your right knee and pull your right heel into half lotus, so it's in front of your left hip. Sit up tall and reach your right arm around your lower back and clasp your big toe with the first two fingers and thumb.

Now fold at your waist, rest your torso on your left thigh, and hold your left foot with your left hand. Lower your nose or forehead to your shin. As you breathe, continue to reach the crown of your head toward your left foot. This will help to lengthen the spine.
Be sure to relax your shoulders as you take five deep breaths. Then lift your torso up, release your right leg, take a vinyasa and do this pose with the left leg in half lotus.

Strike a Yoga Pose: Sage Half Bound Lotus

FitSugar — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 08:00:00 -0700

Balancing poses are really fun to try and they also perfect your posture and muscle control. After trying Beginner's Sage and Sage Tree, I think you're ready for a more challenging variation: Sage Half Bound Lotus. If the name makes it sound challenging, that's because it is. The challenge is part of the fun.

Sanskrit Name: Vasistha Ardha Bada Padmasana
English Translation: Sage Half Bound Lotus Pose

To learn how to do this pose read more.

Begin in Downward Facing Dog pose. Step both feet together so your big toes are touching.
Now move your right hand over to the left so it's at the upper center of your mat.
Step your right foot forward two inches, and plant the sole of your right foot firmly on the mat so your toes are pointing to the left.
Then roll over to your right side and lift your left hand off the mat, coming into a side plank. Lift your left leg up bending your left knee and use your left hand to pull your heel in front of your right hip so it's in Half Lotus. Reach your left arm around your lower back and hold onto your left big toe. Gaze toward the ceiling. Engage your right fingertips so you can take some pressure out of your wrists. Stay here for five deep breaths, trying to keep your core strong and the pose steady.
Release your left hand back to the mat and move your right hand back where it was near the top right corner of your mat. Separate your feet so you are in a top of a push-up position (what I call Plank). Now take a vinyasa and come back to Downward Facing Dog. Then do this pose on the other side.

Strike a Yoga Pose: Standing Half Bound Lotus

FitSugar — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 05:30:00 -0700

Whenever I say I do yoga, people always ask me if I sit in Lotus and "ommmmm" for three hours straight. Not quite, but Lotus is a pose I often do at the beginning and end of class. It's a pretty advanced pose actually, because it requires incredible flexibility in your hips. If your hips could use a little opening, give Standing Half Bound Lotus a try.

Sanskrit name: Ardha Baddha Padmottanasana
English translation: Half Bound Lotus Standing Forward Bend
Also called: Standing Half Bound Lotus

To see how to get into this pose read more

Begin in Mountain pose.
Shift weight into your left foot, grounding firmly, and then bend your right knee up towards your chest. Reach for your right foot with both hands, and gently pull your right heel up in front of your left hip. If this feels OK, let your right knee lower down.
Hold your right foot with your left hand and then reach your right arm around your lower back.
Either hold onto the front of your elbow and stay here, or work on reaching for your toes with your right hand.
Stay standing or fold forward, placing your left palm flat on the ground. If your left hand isn't holding onto your right foot, you can still fold forward, but place both palms on the ground. This is going to be an intense stretch in your hip. If you feel any pain in your knee, stand back up.
If you're folded, tuck your chin in towards your chest and work on drawing your forehead towards your shin.
Hold for five deep breaths and then rise back to standing. Release your right leg and then do this pose on the left side.

Strike a Yoga Pose: Bound Wide Squat

FitSugar — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 04:00:00 -0800

Last week I showed you the prep pose for Bound Wide Squat. If that was easy for you, then give the full expression of the pose a try.

Sanskrit Name: Bada Malasana
English Translation: Bound Garland Pose
Also Called: Bound Wide Squat

Want to know how to get into this great hip, chest and shoulder opening pose? Then read more

From Wide Squat, bring your right arm between your knees. Try to lower your right shoulder as far under your right knee as possible, so you can bend your elbow and reach the back of your right hand up towards your waist.
Then reach your left arm up as high as you can, bend your elbow and bring the back of your left palm to your lower back.
Try to touch your fingers together. If they're close enough, hold your left wrist with your right hand, with the left palm facing behind you.
Stay here for five deep breaths, then come back to Wide Squat for one complete breath to release the pose. Then do the other side.

Strike a Yoga Pose: Prep For Bound Wide Squat

FitSugar — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 04:00:00 -0800

Wide Squat is a great pose that opens your hips, but if you want to open your shoulders, chest, and increase flexibility in your spine as well, then you're going to love doing Bound Wide Squat. The prep for this pose makes you feel an incredible sense of openness in your heart and lungs. Since you put weight in your bottom hand, it also gives you a great wrist stretch which allows you to shift weight into your heels so you can stretch your calf muscles.

Sanskrit Name: (Prep pose for) Bada Malasana
English Translation: (Prep pose for) Bound Garland Pose
Also Called: (Prep pose for) Bound Wide Squat

Want to know how to do this pose? Then read more

Begin in Wide Squat. Bring your right arm between your knees, and place your right palm flat on the floor. Try to lower your right shoulder and reach your fingers as far as you can out to the side, underneath your right shin.
Put some weight into your right palm, so you can shift weight back into your heels and balance equally on both feet.
Then reach your left arm up towards the ceiling. You can keep your arm straight, or for more of a stretch in your left shoulder and chest, you can pull your left arm further back. Gaze towards your lifted hand to encourage your spine to twist a little more.
Stay here for five deep breaths, then come back to Wide Squat for one complete breath to release the pose. Then do the other side.

Paclitaxel Protein-bound (Injection)

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:11:57 -0700

Overview

Introduction
Brand Name(s)
When This Medicine Should Not Be Used
How to Use This Medicine
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Warnings While Using This Medicine
Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Introduction

Paclitaxel Protein-Bound

Treats advanced breast cancer.

Brand Name(s)

Abraxane

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

You should not receive this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to paclitaxel protein-bound, or if you have a low number of white blood cells. You should not receive this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

How to Use This Medicine

Injectable

Medicines used to treat cancer are very strong and can have many side effects. Before receiving this medicine, make sure you understand all the risks and benefits. It is important for you to work closely with your doctor during your treatment.
You will receive this medicine while you are in a hospital or cancer treatment center. A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.
Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given through a needle placed in one of your veins.

If a dose is missed:

This medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose, call your doctor, home health caregiver, or treatment clinic for instructions.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Make sure your doctor knows if you are using cyclosporine (Gengraf®, Neoral®, Sandimmune®), dexamethasone, diazepam, etoposide, ketoconazole (Nizoral®), quinidine (Cardioquin®, Quinaglute®), teniposide, verapamil, or vincristine.
Make sure your doctor knows about all other medicines you are using.

Warnings While Using This Medicine

This medicine can cause birth defects if it is used by the mother while she is pregnant or by the father when his sexual partner becomes pregnant. If a pregnancy occurs while you are using this medicine, tell your doctor right away.
Make sure your doctor knows if you have heart disease, kidney disease, or liver disease.
Cancer medicines can cause nausea and/or vomiting in most people, sometimes even after receiving medicines to prevent it. Ask your doctor or nurse about other ways to control these side effects.
This medicine lowers the number of some types of blood cells in your body. Because of this, you may bleed or get infections more easily. To help with these problems, avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Wash your hands often. Stay away from rough sports or other situations where you could be bruised, cut, or injured. Brush and floss your teeth gently. Be careful when using sharp objects, including razors and fingernail clippers.
Your doctor will need to check your blood at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.
This medicine is made from donated human blood. Some human blood products have transmitted certain viruses to people who have received them. The risk of getting a virus from medicines made of human blood has been greatly reduced in recent years. This is the result of required testing of human donors for certain viruses, and testing during manufacture of these medicines. Although the risk is low, talk with your doctor if you have concerns.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
Blistering, peeling, red skin rash.
Changes in your vision.
Chest pain or coughing up blood.
Diarrhea, dark-colored urine, or black stools.
Extreme weakness.
High fever, chills, cough, sore throat, or body aches.
Lightheadedness or fainting.
Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, pain in your upper stomach.
Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet.
Shortness of breath, cold sweat, or bluish-colored skin.
Slow, fast, or uneven heartbeat.
Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness.
Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

Cough.
Loss of hair.
Mild stomach upset.
Pain in your muscles or joints.
Pain, itching, burning, swelling, or a lump under your skin where the needle is placed.
Pale lips or skin.
Rapid weight gain.
Sores or white patches on your lips, mouth, or throat.
Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.

Review Date: 8/4/2008

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

A.D.A.M. Copyright

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-2009 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

adam.com

Source Doc: 45_5477

Strike a Yoga Pose: Bound Headstand

FitSugar — Mon, 21 May 2007 10:15:00 -0700

We've been doing a lot of grounding yoga poses like Warrior 1 and Pigeon that work on your leg strength and flexibility. Let's turn things around - literally - and talk about headstands. This is a fun inversion to practice, because you can work on your balance and build the strength in your upper body. I do this pose if I have a headache, stuffy nose, or if I'm feeling sad or tired. All the blood rushing to my face is so invigorating, and standing upside down gives me a whole new perspective on life.

Try this pose, but do only what you feel comfortable with. You don't even have to lift your legs off the ground - you can just work on building the strength in your upper back and arms. You can also do this pose in front of a wall or with a trusty friend who can spot you.

Sanskrit Name: Baddha Hasta Sirsasana A
English Translation: Bound Hands Headstand Posture A
Also Called: Bound Headstand

Want to see how to do this pose and see my Headstand bloopers? Then read more.

Begin with your hands and knees on the mat. Lower your elbows to the floor and interlace your fingers, bringing your lowest pinky in front of the other pinky, forming a semi-circle with your hands.
Place the BACK of your head against your palms, and the top of your head on the mat, so your skull is vertical with the floor. Once your head and forearms feel stable, straighten both legs and walk you feet towards your face as far as you can.
Shift your hips over your shoulders, and keep you elbows planted firmly on the mat. Lift your right leg straight up towards the sky, and stay here, or work on lifting your left leg up too, coming into full headstand.

Getting into headstand and being able to stay up is a fun challenge to practice, but it can be a little scary. Everybody has a hard time at first and everyone falls out of it. It's no big deal - you just have to keep on trying until your body gets it. Once you do find your balance, the feeling is unbelievable!

Here's a few pictures of me falling out of headstand.

Strike a Yoga Pose: Bound Lotus

FitSugar — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 04:00:00 -0800

We're up to the last three poses in the closing sequence of Ashtanga Yoga. They're all poses that involve having your legs in full lotus. This pose not only stretches your hips, but it also opens your chest and stretches your shoulders and lower back.

Sanskrit Name: Baddha Padmasana
English Translation: Bound Lotus Pose

How do you get into it? To find out read more

If lotus doesn't work for you because it hurts your knees or hips, just sit cross-legged.
If you want to try doing lotus, bend your right knee and place your right foot up by your left hip bone. Then carefully bend your left knee and pull your left foot over your right shin and place it by your right hip bone. If your knees or hips are hurting whatsoever, come out of lotus and just sit cross-legged.
Once you've got your legs into position, it's time to do your arms. Traditionally, you cross them behind your back, lean forward slightly and your right hand holds your right big toe, and your left hand holds your left big toe. If you feel like your toes are too far away, you can take your legs out of lotus and then fold them back in, readjusting your feet so they're as close to the sides of your waist as possible. If you can't hold both toes together at the same time, just hold one. If you can't reach either toe, just keep your arms crossed behind you, fold forward over your knees and pretend you're holding your toes.
Stay here for five deep breaths, eventually working on bringing your forehead towards the ground. On your next inhale, sit up.

Fit's Tips: Some people are born with really open hips so lotus is easy for them from the start. If you're not one of these people, you can work on opening your hips by practicing Pigeon and Double Pigeon.