Yoga for Runners | CorePower Yoga

"Maybe you’re inspired to run to raise awareness for a cause that’s close to your heart, or perhaps it’s all about the personal challenge. Whatever your motivation for running a marathon is, one thing is certain— it’s a monumental, life-changing experience. 

Training for a marathon is intense, taking place over the course of months or even years. From building base mileage to speed work, you will constantly be challenging and pushing your body to its limits.

It’s no surprise that many runners training for a marathon implement yoga into their cross training regimens. Yoga aids runners by increasing blood flow to overworked joints and muscles, promoting healing and making the most out of rest days. Yoga also stretches and strengthens the muscles of the legs, core and spine. Perhaps most surprisingly, yoga is a workout for the mind and helps instill a sense of determination that will definitely be crucial come race day.

Here are a few of our favorite yoga poses for runners. Try focusing on these postures next time you’re in a yoga class, and feel free to ask your instructor for pointers to nail them. Good luck snagging a PR at your next race!" - CorePower Yoga Continue Reading

Yoga, PTSD, and Personal Growth | Yoga for Men

"One of our primary goals at Yoga for Men is to help encourage people to look beyond the physical aspects of yoga, and consider the psychological and emotional benefits that yoga can provide. Our programs are designed not only to make you a fitter, healthier person, but someone who is open and ready for emotional and personal growth as well..." Continue Reading

3 Essential Items for Beginning Yoga - Yoga For Men

“Move Easily with Proper Yoga Clothing
Yoga is unique from other workout courses, as it is a connection between the mind and body. With yoga, you’ll work in different positions and create new movements you’ve never experienced before. It’s likely some of the workout gear you’ve used and loved in the past may not be the right choice for yoga.

Form fitting clothing allows you to comfortably get into positions where your head hangs below your waist and not worry about whether your shirt is sliding down. Anything too tight might hinder your flexibility, and slick lycra-type pants might cause you to lose traction.

For men in particular, it can be difficult to find yoga clothes specifically designed for the male form in motion that are also manufactured ethically. That’s why we created our Bhujang line of yoga clothes for men. Whether you choose our clothes or something else, remember that the best clothing options for yoga are form fitting, comfortable, and breathable.

Keep in mind yoga is generally done in bare feet, so feel free to leave those gym shoes at the door.

Find an outfit that is comfortable, provides proper traction, and stays where it should even if you are upside down, and you’ll be all set.

Get Comfortable with the Right Yoga Mat
Many yoga studios and gyms will rent out or let you borrow a yoga mat, so it isn’t essential that you have your own. However, most people feel more comfortable on their own mat, since you can’t guarantee how often the studio mats get cleaned. Additionally, some yoga studios charge a fee to borrow one of theirs.

A yoga mat is essential not only because it helps define your personal space in the studio, but also because it creates traction for your hands and feet so you don’t slip. It also helps cushion you from the hard floor.

Yoga mats are easy to clean and roll up conveniently for traveling to and from the studio. With proper care, a good yoga mat can be part of your yoga experience for years and years.

Why not check out our Legend Men’s Yoga Mat and see if it’s right for you?

Improve Performance with a Yoga Towel
Yoga may not look intense, but don’t be surprised when you need a towel to wipe the sweat off your brow. Bringing a towel to the studio may also come in handy by adding extra cushioning to the mat and helping you remain comfortable in certain positions. A towel can take the place of a yoga bolster, yoga block, or yoga strap as well.

As you become more comfortable with yoga, you will determine the best tools to get the most out of your workout. Being prepared and opening your mind and body to the experience of yoga is all you really need, but a yoga mat can sure come in handy.”
— http://blog.yogaformen.com/tools-for-beginners-yoga/

Cummings Wellness - Squarespace

“I always remind my students, “It is your practice, do what feels best for you.” I fully believe and support this concept… unless it is at the expense of others. The idea of yoga etiquette comes down to respect and working towards a greater good so that what you are doing is not altering anyone else’s experience in a negative way. These subtle and sometimes unspoken rules of yoga etiquette help to ensure that everyone has a great class!

Be mindful of the time
As yoga teachers, we work hard to respect our students by starting and ending class on time. Arriving late can disrupt the focus of both students and teachers. Depending on how late you join a class in progress, it can even be unsafe for you, as the rest of the class may be moving into postures that your body is not properly prepared for. Along these lines, try your best not to leave class during Savasana. This is the final relaxation posture where everyone can soak in all of the benefits of their practice. If you need to leave class early, let your instructor know ahead of time so that she/he can let you know when it’s a good point in class to slip out.

Respect other’s space
Try to arrange your mat in a neat row to make space for other yogis behind and in front of you. If you’re in a crowded class, consider making room for others walking in. Yoga is for everyone, after all, and we want to be inclusive! Also, be thoughtful about your belongings surrounding your mat. Keep water bottles, blocks and straps close by and leave whatever you don’t need for class in a locker or cubby outside of the yoga room.

Don’t forget about personal hygiene!
In yoga, we breathe and sweat together in a closed room and in close proximity to one another. Out of respect for each other’s air, be mindful of your own odors. Wear clean clothes, avoid dousing yourself in heavy cologne or perfume (some people are allergic), try to keep your breath fresh, and avoid re-using a sweaty or moldy towel. At the end of class, take a moment to wipe any stray drops of sweat from the floor around you. Your fellow yogis will thank you!

Make the yoga room a sanctuary
Many people think of the yoga room as a type of sanctuary. It’s a space for quiet, relaxation and even meditation. The sound of a cell phone ringing, chatty conversations, loud grunting and laughter are just some of the noises that can disturb this peaceful space. Do your best to keep these distractions to a minimum. You might be surprised at how refreshed you feel after separating yourself from the outside world for an hour! ”
— Gillian Blake - Corepower Yoga

How one NFL Star Quieted the Voice in His Head and Found the Present Moment

This is an amazing article on how yoga has helped an NFL player find a calmer and happier life. 

 http://www.dailycupofyoga.com/2016/03/12/how-one-nfl-star-quieted-the-voice-in-his-head-and-found-the-present-moment/

Every time we put the time in on our mat we leave feeling awesome. #beawesome #yogaeverydamnday #yogalife #awesome #pittsburghyoga #love

"Every time we put the time in on our mat we leave feeling awesome. #beawesome #yogaeverydamnday #yogalife #awesome #pittsburghyoga #love"

We are now offering Aromatherapy

What is this? 

  • "Aromatherapy can be defined as the art and science of utilizing naturally extracted aromatic essences from plants to balance, harmonize and promote the health of body, mind and spirit.  It is an art and science which seeks to explore the physiological, psychological and spiritual realm of the individual's response to aromatic extracts as well as to observe and enhance the individual's innate healing process.  As a holistic practice, Aromatherapy is both a preventative approach as well as an active method to employ during acute and chronic stages of illness or 'dis'-ease.

    It is a natural, non-invasive modality designed to affect the whole person not just the symptom or disease and to assist the body's natural ability to balance, regulate, heal and maintain itself by the correct use of essential oils."     Jade Shutes, founder of The East-West School for Herbal and Aromatic Education


How does it work?

  • Essential oils used in Aromatherapy evaporate into the air, and are inhaled and smelled; thus, they directly affect the brain, and therefore mood and emotion.
  • How we perform our Aromatherapy is to mix your choice of essential oil with our Biotone Advanced Therapy Massage Lotion in a bottle that you get to take home after the session. Throughout the session, this combination is both applied to your body where the essential oils soak in through the skin and we also we cup our hands near your face for you to breath the scent in. 
  • We currently offer six essential oil blends by Eden’s Garden including: Breathe Easier, Good Night, Hope, Relaxation, Stress Relief, and Sunshine Spice.

How much does it cost? 

  • Our Aromatherapy treatment is an additional $10 on top of the massage.  
  • You get the option of taking your personal lotion bottle home and using it however you wish; bring it back for a future appointment for no additional charge; or leaving it with us to use for your future appointments. 

What are the benefits? 

  • Reduces stress.

  • Helps fight depression and anxiety.

  • Aids in pain management.

  • Improves blood pressure.

  • Aids in improving quality of life, physically, mentally, and/or emotionally. 

Are you ready to relax?