Exercise

Exercise to relieve chronic back pain

backpain

Exercise can be a very effective way to relieve chronic back pain. That said, it is absolutely crucial that you talk to a doctor before starting an exercise program. If you’re experiencing back pain, then something is wrong, and exercise done improperly could actually make it worse. Your doctor may also refer you to a sports medicine doctor or physical therapist to discuss precisely which ...

Stomach Exercises: Lower Back Flattener

578532_bikini

The Lower Back Flattener uses the curve of the spine as a focus to make you work the abdominal muscles. Like the Alternating Toe Touch, it gives you a goal to focus on other than just the contraction of the abdominals. This is particularly helpful for novice exercisers, because the goal helps you know that you have achieved the movement that will strengthen your abdominal ...

Stomach exercises: Sit-Up Hold

723741_womans_midsection_3

The Sit-Up Hold has a few things in common with the Alternating Toe Touch, but many people find it easier to perform. It works the same abdominal muscles, and more specifically, it works them for the purpose of lifting your shoulders off the floor. There is no focus on an abstract goal like touching your toes. You simply contract the abdominal muscles to perform the ...

Stomach exercises: Alternating Toe Touch

dreamstimefree_998642

The Alternating Toe Touch is one of those exercises that gives you a goal to distract you from the movements that are actually working your target muscle groups. Specifically, this exercise is all about touching your toes, but in doing so, you work your lower abdominals – a notoriously difficult muscle group to target. Alternating Toe Touch Lie on the floor. You can use a ...

Stomach Exercises: Crunchless Crunch

bellyjeans

Once you learn it, the Crunchless Crunch is one of the easiest exercises you will ever do. It is surprisingly effective at flattening the transverse abdominus. There is a bit of a learning curve, as the way this exercise requires you to move your body is probably quite different than what you are used to. Most exercises focus on big movements, but the Crunchless Crunch ...

Belly dancing for depression

534425_ballerina

We’ve talked before about the health benefits of belly dancing as a form of exercise: it burns a surprising amount of calories per hour, strengthens your core and even helps to improve your sense of well-being and positivity. This article focuses more tightly on the emotional healing you can experience through belly dancing. No, belly dancing is not a magic cure for depression. It does ...

Stomach Exercises: Seated Torso Twist

stomach

Achieving a flat, toned belly is notoriously difficult because there are so many muscles in that area that need to be worked, and because fat must be burned before the defined muscles can be seen. There are a number of exercises that can help you tone those muscles specially. The Seated Torso Twist is one such exercise, which focuses on both the abdominal muscles and ...

Dance to Your Health

1194046_cheerleader_silhouette

One of the easiest ways to incorporate regular exercise into your busy schedule is with dance. Dancing doesn’t require leaving your home. You don’t have to join a gym. You don’t have to wear special clothes, though you can if you like. All you need is some music and a little time alone. Some of the great advantages of simply dancing around the house any ...

3 Stretching Exercises To Relieve Back Pain

1058869_bella_-_maine_coon

Stretching exercises are a great way to relieve and prevent back pain. Stress and sitting or standing all day puts pressure on the spine, compressing the vertebrae so that nerves get pinched. This back strain can lead not only to immediate discomfort, but long term back problems as well that could even require surgery. Post-op recovery for back surgeries requires two to four months of ...

6 Poor Stomach Exercise Habits

870548_navel

The stomach is a notoriously difficult part of the body to get into shape. This is partly because there are several muscle groups that must be worked, and a routine has to cover every one to be effective. But it is also partly because of some simple mistakes many of us make when trying to do these exercises. These mistakes can render the exercises ineffective, ...