How to Replace the Magnet-Standoff on a Life Fitness 95Xi CrossTrainer
About This Video
Replacing the Magnet and Standoff Assembly on a LifeFitness 95Xi Crosstrainer
- This video demonstrates how to replace the magnet and standoff assembly on your 95Xi Crosstrainer by LifeFitness
Tools necessary:
- Philips Screwdriver
- T25 Driver
- T50 Driver
- 2MM Allen Wrench
- 5/32” Allen Wrench
- Remove the main shrouds as seen in Sportsmith’s main shroud removal video
- Remove the outer link cover as seen in the Outer Link Cover removal video
- Remove the Left Pedal Lever Assembly as seen in Sportsmith’s pedal lever replacement video
- Remove the two bolts holding the crank arm cover in place, and remove the crank arm cover
- Remove the screw securing the magnet and standoff assembly to the drive pulley and remove the assembly from the unit
- Install the new magnet and standoff assembly in reverse order
This concludes today’s repair demonstration.
First Class Fitness Products
With 2012 coming to an end, Sportsmith is looking to gear up for the new year. As a leading provider of innovative strength and personal training products we are constantly expanding our line of quality fitness equipment. Listed below is some new gear to help kick start those resolutions.
SPORTSMITH Soft Medicine Ball
We can't help make wall balls easier, but we can supply you with a better ball. Tired of a lopsided wall balls with center weights that don't stay in the center?? We were too. Our new Sportsmith Soft Medicine Balls are made with a perfect-grip, cushioned cover featuring 14 raised panels that create added grip and softness at the seams.The larger 14” uniform diameter is easier to throw, track, and catch for safe handling during the most intense workouts. Superior reinforcement and higher quality filling material ensure better shape retention and consistent weight displacement than lower-quality traditional balls. Long-lasting seams reinforced with threads that won’t stretch or wear out. View all Sportsmith Soft Medicine balls
Sportsmith Wrist Wraps, Pair, Grey
It's time to grip it and rip it with our Sportsmith Strength Wraps. Whether you are setting WODs on fire or smashing OLY PRs these wraps are for you. Strength Wraps tighten down to provide stability for your wrist joints yet allow for full range of motion of movements. Our light weight fabric is made of 100% cotton. Designed with an exclusive liner to provide maximum joint support with minimum bulk. Cloth wrist wraps designed to tighten down on themselves, functioning as a tightening mechanism for wrist support with full range of motion. Sportsmith wrist wraps are specifically designed for strength training, power lifting, and Olympic weight lifting. View Wrist Wraps
Leather Hand Grips, Large, Black, Pair
I've never heard of anyone bragging about how great washing their hair felt after shredding their hands on pull ups. So train smart and train for tomorrow with Sportsmith Gymnastic Grips.
Our grips come in 3 sizes and have adjustable velcro straps. View All Leather Gymnastic grips
Programmable Interval Timer
Get a variety of functions with our new Programmable Interval Timer.
- Programmable Timer can be programmed with specific count up to and down from times
- Completely programmable interval timer
- Number of rounds, length of rest and length of work can all be set up by the user for total custom intervals
- Timer can save up to 8 custom programs
- Dynamic display shows time in red while displaying the number of rounds in electric blue, 4 3/8" tall numbers
- Timer Functions:
- Stop Watch to hundredths of a second
- Several preprogrammed intervals(Fight Gone Bad!)
- Clock display
View Programmable Interval Timer.
MTape
When You Need a lot of Athletic Trainers Tape with Conformability and Excellent Tackiness, Get a Case of MTAPE in 15 Yard Rolls.
- The white MTAPE® features high tensile strength with excellent tackiness and conformability
- 100% cotton backcloth, zinc oxide athletic trainers tape
- Tape is easy to handle and easy to unwind to the core
- Case contains:
- 32 rolls of tape
- Roll measurements:
- Length: 15 yards
- Width: 1.5"
- 100% Cotton backcloth
- Color: White or black
- Zinc Oxide
View all Athletic Tape.
Olympic Competition Bumper Plates
No more busting out inserts and cracked out plates. Our new competition plates are as tough as they are pretty. Weight and dimensions calibrated to meet the specs of IWF. So go heavy.
- Insert type: Steel disc, chrome coated
- Collar opening: 50.40mm +/- 0.1mm
- Weight tolerance: +/- 5 grams
- Diameter: 450mm
- Thickness: 2"
View all Competition Bumper Plates.
Replacing a Treadmill Running Belt and Deck
Following is a basic guideline of removing and replacing the running belt and deck on a treadmill. Due to different brands and designs of treadmills, the following should only be used as a guideline. If any of the information is not exact to the treadmill being serviced, refer to the service manual or call Sportsmith for further help.
Tools Needed: Phillips Screwdriver, Set of Allen Wrenches, Set of Box End or Open Face Wrenches (Tools needed may vary depending on treadmill. )
- Switch the Power off on the unit.
- Next, unplug the unit from the wall.
- Remove the finger guard retaining screws and carefully remove the finger guards from the deck at each end of the rear roller.
- Loosen each rear roller bolt by 10 full turns. Then count the remaining turns necessary to remove the rear roller bolts. Remember to write down the number of turns needed to remove the bolts in each side for future reference.
- Carefully remove the rear roller from the unit. Clean any wax or debris buildup from the roller and place it aside.
- Raise the shroud and secure it with a bungee cord.
- Work the drive belt off the motor pulley by hand turning the flywheel while pushing the belt aside.
- Now remove the front roller retaining bolts.
- Carefully remove the front roller from the unit. Clean off any wax or debris buildup and set it aside.
- Loosen and remove the deck mounting hardware.
- Move the deck toward the left side of the frame to free the deck from the right side. The deck will move down once the frame has been cleared.
- Remove the deck and belt by raising the right side edge of the deck over the frame rail and sliding it to the right to remove.
- When installing a new belt or deck it is important to note that a new belt and deck surface should always be installed together. Failure to adhere to this guideline will severely shorten the life of the newly installed parts. Some decks can be used on both sides. However, be sure that each side is only used once. Be sure to install the belt in the proper direction on the unit.
- Install the belt and deck by first putting the belt on the deck, and then installing them from the right side as a unit.
- Be sure the deck is lined up with the frame and push the deck to the left side.
- Now carefully lower the right side of the deck to insert it into the frame rail and then push the deck to the right as far as possible.
- Re-install deck mounting hardware. (Check with mfr. for proper torque during install process.)
- Carefully place the front roller on the deck under the belt and push it forward into place, while placing the drive belt on the inside of the drive pulley.
- Replace the front roller bolts. (Check with mfr. for proper torque during install process.)
- Now spin the roller by hand while pushing the drive belt onto the pulley. Be sure to spin the roller several times to insure complete installation of the drive belt on the pulley.
- Install the rear roller into unit. Carefully start each bolt and turn one to two threads to ensure no cross-threading has occurred.
- Tighten each rear roller bolt the number of turns you kept earlier for reference.
- Now, Plug in and power on the unit.
- Carefully remove the bungee cord from the shroud and lower it back into place.
- Start the unit at a very slow speed and check for proper belt alignment. Remember to start at the slowest speed possible and be ready to stop the unit quickly if needed.
- If the belt is moving to right side of unit tighten the right roller bolt, If the belt is moving to the left side of the unit tighten the left roller bolt until the belt is tracking properly.
- Caution: make very small adjustments such as ¼ turns and then watch the belt for several moments before making another adjustment.
- Once the belt is tracking properly walk on the unit at a slow speed and check for belt slippage on foot fall. If this is happening tighten each of the rear roller bolts equal turns until the slippage is no longer occurring. Caution: make very small adjustments such as ¼ turns and then watch the belt for several moments before making another adjustment.
- Now use the unit at a jogging speed to check for belt travel or slippage.
- If slippage still occurs make small equal adjustments (1/4 turns) to both sides of rear roller and re-test.
- Install the finger guards once you have enough clearance from the rear roller.
- Some manufacturers require wax or lube during the install process, please consult your owner’s or service manual for further information regarding this.
How to Replace Mando Alternator Brushes found on StarTrac Steppers & Bikes
About This Video
Video Demonstration of How to Replace Mando Alternator Brushes found on StarTrac Steppers & Bikes
- This procedure demonstrates how to change the brushes of a Mando alternator that is used on StarTrac fitness equipment such as bikes and steppers
- It is not necessary to remove the alternator from the machine to remove/install the brushes
- To replace or inspect the brushes you must first remove the brush cover as shown in the video. It is attached with two nuts and a screw. Remove them and then remove the cover as shown in the video
- Once the cover is removed you will notice the black rubber seal, this should be included with your new brushes. If not it can be re-used
- You will still have two screws holding the brush assembly in place. Remove them and then you may need to use a screw driver to pry up on the brush assembly as shown in the videoto get it to come loose. The brushes shown in the video are new; This is not what a used pair of brushes will look like. Worn brushes will have a rough surface as well as being shorter than this pair. Generally worn brushes will also leave quite a bit of carbon dust in the alternator which can increase resistance between the brushes and the commutator. Therefore it is always a good idea to use a commutator stone as shown in the video to clean up the surface of the commutator before installing a new set of brushes
- Note: Using forced air to blow the carbon dust out of an alternator is not good practice. It can release the powder carbon into the air and inhalation of this can be harmful. Use of a vacuum with small attachments is the only safe option
- First locate the surface of the commutator by noting the surface the brushes rub against when installed. Focusing on one side of the surface at a time, spin the alternator pulley a few times while holding slight pressure against the commutator with the commutator stone. Doing so will clean and prepare a fresh surface for the new brushes to make contact with
- There are two versions of the Mando alternator brush assembly
- The version one brush assembly has a 1/4" height from the base where the rubber seal sits to the top of the brush housing as shown in the video
- The version two assembly measures 13/32" from the rubber seal seat to the top of the brush housing, which is also shown
- To reinstall the brushes place them as shown in the video and hold them in place while replacing the screws in the brush assembly
- Now place the cover over the brushes and re-install the screw and two nuts. Once the cover has been replaced the procedure is complete
Elite Bumper Plates
Anyone who takes their fitness training seriously knows that they also have to be serious about their equipment: their gear has to work as hard as they do. For athletes into weight training, it’s important to buy bars and plates with precision and durability, but at a price that suits the pocket.
That’s why more athletes and coaches rely on Sportsmith. Top brands, low prices and same day shipping have helped make Sportsmith the nation’s leading supplier of strength and fitness products.
Right now at Sportsmith, there is an extensive range of black and colored plates, from 10lb up to 55lb, all at the best prices you’ll find anywhere. No matter if the end goal is Olympic lifting, gym-based workout programs, or just personal strength and fitness training, Sportsmith has the plates to meet your training and competition needs.
What are bumper plates?
Bumper plates are precision weights made of extremely durable rubber. They’re all the same diameter (450mm) regardless of weight, and they all fit an Olympic bar. They were invented in the 1960’s during a boom in personal fitness, as more and more people began to realize the importance of weight training for health and strength. Traditional metal weights used in lifting could seriously damage platforms and floors if dropped from height, so bumper plates were developed to bounce safely instead.
While not as cheap as iron plates, bumpers are a sound investment as they are long lasting, much less likely to cause surface damage, and available in colors to make weight selection easier.
Additionally, there are lightweight bumpers called technique plates. These are typically thinner and lighter than normal bumper plates, and aren’t really made for repeated dropping. They are ideal for kids, however, or for workouts that focus more on technique and general fitness than on explosive strength.
If you’re setting up equipment for a professional or home gym, you’re going to need a good variety of bumper plates. It can be a big investment, so you want to get it right. Choose a supplier that offers quality and variety and won’t break your budget. Choose Sportsmith, because the only thing you want to be sweating over is your workout.
Sportsmith bumper plates
For serious lifters, Sportsmith has competition bumper plates in black, ranging from 25lb (at just $56.95) to 55lb monsters, priced at just $104.95. With precise calibration, each plate bears the Sportsmith logo, and that’s a personal guarantee of quality.
Also available are bumper plates designed for every health centre or home training setup. Ideal for high intensity interval training training, Sportsmiths range includes Olympic rubber bumper plates in black or colors, with or without the logo. Pick up your basic black 10lb bumper from only $15.75, or a colored (green) weight for just $19.95. Choose a quality 25lb yellow, 35lb blue or 45lb red bumper, or go for the same models in black and save even more.
Complete sets are also available. For the complete range, just click on this link: Bumper Plates
Want more? Check out Sportsmiths technique plates, or fractional plates as small as ¼ lb plates, available in matching pairs.
Sportsmith has the gear to get you fit. The rest is up to you.
How to Tension a Treadmill Running Belt
So how do you adjust the Tension on a Treadmill Running Belt?
It is necessary to properly tension a treadmill belt when it is replaced. After time, a belt can stretch and may begin to slip. When this happens, it is necessary to adjust the tension of the belt to stop it from slipping.
Manufacturers of treadmills generally agree on one of three procedures for tensioning a running belt.
- Adjust for no slippage of the treadmill running belt on the front roller (Often referred to as the "Stomp Test")
- This procedure works well for a previously installed belt that is now slipping.
- Underside of belt should be free of any glazing/wax buildup.
- Rollers must also be free of wax buildup.
- Be sure belt tracking/centering is correct before proceeding.
- The most popular speed for this adjustment is 2mph to 3mph.
- Try to slow the belt by applying pressure with your foot against the belt movement while grasping the handrails. If the running belt slow, slips or stops (and the front roller does not) adjust BOTH adjustment bolts 1/4 turn clockwise. Test again and repeat adjustment if necessary.
- This procedure requires two belt gauges or calipers
- This procedure works well when installing a new belt.
- This procedure requires you to stretch the belt. Depending on the manufacturer*, this varies between .4 and .6 percent. A dial on the gauge or caliper will indicate the amount of stretch. *Consult the owner/service manual for proper tension.
- If you are working on a previously tensioned belt you will need to release the tension before attaching the gauges or calipers.
- Gauges or Calipers unavailable
- Release the tension on the belt.
- Using a yard stick or tape measure, place two marks on the left and right edges of the belt and deck 36 inches apart (or 50 inches if you prefer).
- Adjust the left and right tensioning bolts until both sides measure 36 3/16 inches (or 50 1/4). This is equal to .5% of stretch.
- Test for proper tracking and tension, adjust if necessary.
National Family Health & Fitness Day
This year’s National Family Health & Fitness Day falls on September 29th, and as every year, on the last Saturday in September. Events are scheduled in local communities throughout the United States, to promote family involvement in physical activity. There are many ways, and just as many reasons to participate.
Lifestyles have changed through this country’s evolution to its present state, and so has the level of physical activity in its families. This is commonly evidenced by the overall American state of health. The American Health Foundation says that health improvement in the U.S. has declined more than 69 percent over the last decade, as compared to the 1990s.
Various issues are often purported to be the root of this decline, yet, regardless of cause, the evidence is still the same. American families need more physical activity.
Physical activity is beneficial to the health of both mind and body. This applies to anyone, at any age. Parents who set an example for their children, in scheduling regular physical activities for the family, are setting them up with healthy habits that could last for a lifetime.
These activities may not need to take much extra time, if any at all. You might easily integrate some into regular daily activities, such as walking to work or school. Still, if you are uncertain as to how much physical activity is necessary to maintain a healthy body, there are some suggested guidelines to work with.
Adults require two types of physical activity, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These include moderate-intensity aerobic activity for 2 ½ hours weekly; accompanied by two or more days of muscle-strengthening activities, that work all the major muscle groups.
For younger family members, The National Institutes of Health states that most children need at least an hour of physical activity each day. A few of the benefits that this one hour can yield are stress relief, a healthy weight, and raised self-esteem.
On the other end of the spectrum, a lack of physical activity may yield the opposite effect. According to the Mayo Clinic, physical activity helps to prevent, and even to heal the effects of such inactivity. These include high blood pressure, obesity, and depression, to name a few. These types of issues often come together, making it easier to prevent them than to overcome them.
Alarmingly, these issues are no longer exclusive to adults, as many had once considered them to be. Obesity itself is now considered at epidemic levels, and affecting any age.
Aside from unwanted physical and emotional health issues, obesity has unexpected financial costs, and thus creates expense that anyone can afford to lose. An infographic from Forbes offers some surprising insights into this aspect.
It offers straightforward facts such as, in America alone, in the year 2010, medical costs related to obesity were at $160 billion. Gas consumption, due to increased passenger weight in earthbound vehicles, went up an extra 938 million gallons for that same year. Airline fuel consumption soared, as well. Yet, these are just a part of the unnecessary expenses associated with obesity.
This epidemic must be faced.
Hence, family health and fitness is one venue to empower each family member individually, as well as the family as a whole.
Empowerment could mean that you or your child may never need to take on the challenges and associated health risks of an obesity issue; or it could mean that a family member who already has can experience the thrill of victory, with overcoming these same things.
Physical activity puts your family more firmly in control of its own physical health, and hence, of its own financial health.
National Family Health & Fitness Day can be that first step in a healthier direction, or it can be another step on the road to family fitness. It matters not what level of fitness your family is at, it is a day to re-empower your whole life, and the life of your whole family.
The National Family Health & Fitness Day website offers suggestions on where you may find these events held in your local community. These can include your local YMCA, schools, health clubs, and various other community locations. Your local newspaper may have events in your area listed in its community events section.
If you happen to live in an area without an event held nearby, you can still participate in the day. Invite your family for some physical activity, and enjoy the benefits in more ways than one.
Suggestions for the day might include:
* A walk
* A bike ride
* A game of Frisbee golf
* Line dancing
* Rollerblading, roller skating, skate boarding
* Any sport the whole family enjoys participating in
Whatever you do, be creative, have fun, and be actively involved in your family’s health and fitness.
Family Health & Fitness Day
Family Health & Fitness Day Starts Sept 29
Saturday, September 29 2012 is an important day for America. It’s not an anniversary of a battle, although it could be seen as a day to engage in battle against the so-called Obesity Epidemic that is sweeping America and the developed world. Family Health and Fitness Day USA aims to promote health and fitness across America by keeping it in the family.
According to the US Surgeon General’s report on physical activity and health, more than 60 per cent of American adults and almost half of the nation’s children do not engage in enough physical activity to maintain health. Family Health and Fitness Day USA aims to encourage parents and children to enjoy activities together and learn how to live a more healthy lifestyle.
Organized by the Health Information Resource Centre (HIRC), 2012’s event is the sixteenth of its kind. It’s a national and local initiative, with organizations such as schools, hospitals, parks, malls, health clubs and Christian groups such as the YMCA and YWCA hosting non-competitive health and fitness functions for all the family to enjoy.
Family Health and Fitness Day USA is a national wake-up call, aimed at getting families together to learn about nutrition, health and fitness and participate in fun events across the country. It’s a day for families to focus on fitness and make a dent in the frightening statistics relating to obesity and poor health.
The Obesity Epidemic in America
According to the Get America Fit Foundation (GAFF), more than 60 million adults are obese, while 9 million 6 – 19 year olds are overweight. The presentation of hypertension, diabetes and other obesity-related conditions in children is on the rise. As these life-threatening diseases are normally associated with obesity in adulthood, there is a real danger that the current generation of America’s children may not make it into old age.
The statistics make for sobering reading. In the space of around thirty years, childhood obesity has effectively trebled, with almost one third of America’s youngsters either overweight or obese – that’s around 23 million kids.
Why the big rise? Children are now eating around 1,000 calories a day more than they need, and spending up to 6 hours a day in front of the television, computer or games console. Back in the 1960s, almost half of all children cycled to school, but fear of crime, changing weather and increased affluence mean that these days, kids are either taken to school or drive themselves there. In addition, physical education is no longer a priority on the school curriculum.
Why it’s important to be fit and healthy
In purely monetary terms, overall fitness and health benefits both individuals and the government. Work days lost through illness affect both the employee who loses out on income, and the government, which loses out on income-related taxation. Then there’s the burden on the health service, medical insurers and the social security system.
On a more personal level, maintaining a healthy weight and staying fit reduces the risk of contracting obesity-related diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, some forms of cancer, arthritis and cardiovascular disease. Avoiding these potentially life-threatening conditions makes for a longer life, which means you get to see your children – and probably your grandchildren – grow up. Currently, the average lifespan for Americans is 78.2 years, which is low compared to other developed, relatively prosperous countries.
Just 30 minutes of vigorous exercise five times a week can help maintain physical and emotional health, yet only31% of Americans take enough exercise to obtain those health benefits. Exercise can also boost your immune system, making you less prone to sickness and disease. It's also an acknowledged mood lifter - people who exercise regularly are less likely to suffer from depression.
Involving your organisation in Family Health and Fitness Day USA 2012
Local organizations across America can register to host an event by filling in the registration form on the official website. On receipt of the registration form, organizations will receive a resource pack with ideas and information, and access to the official website. Registration costs $30, and includes a license to use the official logo in publicity material for your event. Small organizations running a single event may qualify for free registration.
Participating in Family Health and Fitness Day USA 2012
Check out the local press for details of events in your area. Local schools, churches, hospitals, medical centres, gyms and sports centres may also be hosting events, so ask around. Available events will depend on the organizations hosting them and local interests. Typically, these events may include workshops, health screenings, games, organized walks and exercise sessions. Email [email protected] for more information on events in your area.
Family Health and Fitness Day USA 2012 is an ideal opportunity to learn more about health and fitness, while enjoying a great day out with the family. Exercise doesn’t have to be an ordeal – when the whole family have fun together, getting fit and healthy can actually be a pleasure. Remember, the family that plays together can look forward to staying together for much longer.
What events are you or your facility planning?
(Leave your answer in the comments)
Some fun items to include in your event
Jump Ropes
Medicine Balls
KettleBells
Resistance Tubes
Power Bands
AbMats
Kick start Your September with National Yoga Month
With students returning to school, what better way than to kick-start September by participating in National Yoga Awareness Month, introducing more people to the healthy benefits of Yoga. All across the country, Yoga studios will be hosting activities such as Yoga classes, concerts, and other special events to inspire people to "practice Yoga and create a more balanced lifestyle".
To start off, the Yoga Health Foundation, a non-profit organization registered in the State of California is offering one week of free Yoga to new students. By giving interested persons a "Yoga Month Card", it serves to initiate interest and awareness in Yoga. The card has no monetary value and is good from September 1 to October 30. Invite your family and friends to take advantage of this offer; encourage your neighborhood Yoga studio to participate and/or register events; have an expert come into schools or physical education classes to lead student-wide Yoga sessions.
Presently, over 1600 studios have registered and are involved in National Yoga Awareness Month. For your free pass to get started in Yoga, please click here.
After the month of activities are over, a culminating event will take place on September 30th, 7:00 pm local time. Yoga students of all experience levels are encouraged to practice an international observance with their teachers by doing a "worldwide Yoga practice". This will be an hour-long practice, followed by Savasana at 8 pm, and 15 minutes of meditation at 8:15 pm, focusing on universal peace and well-being. Savasana is also known as the corpse pose, a resting position that signifies the final relaxation of a Yoga session.
This final event will encompass a virtual worldwide wave-effect, spanning nations and countries, coming together through various time zones to end National Yoga Awareness Month with one big bang.
For a person who is new to Yoga, there are many styles to choose from; it may be a bit daunting at first as where to start. Yoga studios, being quite prolific these days, no matter what type of Yoga they teach, practices are all based on the same poses. The only difference is the emphasis or focus placed on movements, whether they are for flexibility, strengthening the core, or addressing injuries, etc.
Most importantly, you should try to find a style that suits your personality, needs, and purposes. Yoga has been around for over 5000 years, and as such, people have been practicing Yoga for various and numerous reasons: body toning, stretching after a workout, reducing stress levels, clearing the mind, boosting the immune system, for detoxification. The benefits are manifold. Listed below are the five most common types of Yoga styles.
A great starting point for beginners is "Hatha Yoga". Begun in India in the 15th century, this type of Yoga is both gentle and slow-moving, focusing on deep breathing practices and meditation. Basic poses are introduced to students, along with relaxation techniques. The benefits of Hatha Yoga are for managing stress, as physical exercise, and improving techniques.
Vinyasa Yoga is a variation on Hatha Yoga, where rhythmic breathing is synchronized with moving from one Yoga pose to another. This style of Yoga emphasizes the Sun Salutation pose, leading to a flowing series of 12 poses, breathing in and out with each movement. "Yoga Flow" is a popular class in many studios, where Tai Chi is incorporated with Yoga moves into one continuous fluid motion that is choreographed to Zen music, a form of Yoga that is both uplifting and cleansing in nature.
Vinyasa Yoga is great for building lean muscle mass throughout the body, plus total body conditioning. At the same time, this style improves strength and flexibility, along with toning abdominal muscles. This practice helps reduce risks of hypertension, heart disease, and Type II diabetes. It is appropriate for both beginners and students at advanced levels.
Ashtanga Yoga is also known as "power Yoga", where emphasis is placed on the eight limbs of the body. However, these are not physical limbs, but rather, aspects of a person's psyche: mental, emotional, and spiritual. This kind of Yoga is fast-paced and intensive, with many push-ups and lunges, designed to maintain body strength and stamina. At the same time, these moves help to relieve stress, improve coordination, aid in weight loss, and address the spiritual self. For a more detailed explanation on all eight limbs, please click this link.
Lyengar Yoga covers all 8 aspects of Ashtanga Yoga, but its concentration is on aligning and balancing the body. In this style, props are frequently used to strengthen poses: Yoga blocks, straps, blankets, etc. Standing poses are emphasized and held for long periods of time. In this way, alignment and balance is improved; body strength is built; and recovery from injury is sped up. This kind of Yoga is therapeutic in nature and beneficial for chronic conditions like arthritis, as well as being a good introductory course for beginners.
Bikram is also therapeutic in nature, known as "hot Yoga"; it takes place in a heated room of 95-100 degrees Fahrenheit. The aim of Bikram is to flush out toxins through sweating, and to loosen tight muscles with endurance stretching and deep heat massaging of various poses. In addition to cleansing the body, Bikram Yoga enhances flexibility and can speed up recovery from injury. These classes are appropriate for beginners, advanced students, and people with physical injuries.
No matter what type of Yoga you choose to practice, you can find studios all across America and around the world. To find a Yoga studio nearest you, click here. Additional websites are also available if you want to do some exploring. If you haven't already joined the Yoga movement, now is the perfect time to start, as National Yoga Awareness Month is here to initiate and inspire you to lead a healthier, wealthier, and more balanced lifestyle.
National Yoga Month Starts Now
National Yoga Month Starts Now
National Yoga Awareness Month is on the doorstep! Starts September 1, 2012. Hundreds of Yoga events around the world are taking place to celebrate the role of Yoga in healthy living and to introduce new people to Yoga. If you have ever been curious about Yoga, this September is the perfect time to discover how Yoga can open the door to lifelong health benefits.
Events
Yoga studios across the nation are opening their doors to celebrate National Yoga Awareness Month. Some are planning special displays and exhibitions.
Yoga Aid Challenge
This September 9, Yoga studios around the world are celebrating the joy of Yoga by fundraising for a cause. The Yoga Relay will follow the sun around the world, starting at Sydney, Australia, and ending at sunset in Los Angeles.
More than 200 Yoga events are planned for this day alone. Many of them will feature some of the premier Yoga teachers in each community. Thanks to the miracle of time zones, MC Yogi will be able to participate in both the opening and closing events of the 2012 Yoga Aid Challenge.
Since this event first began in 2006, the Yoga Aid Challenge has raised $1.2 million for charities around the world. This year, organizers hope to raise $1 million. The funds raised during this event will go to local charities, many of which are involved in smaller, community-driven projects.
Global Mala Yoga for Peace
On September 20 through 23, the global Yoga community will unite to form a "mala around the earth." The mala and its 108 beads is symbolic of the prayer for peace, hope, and charity.
The events of a Yoga mala will differ by Yoga tradition and inspiration. Typical events during a Yoga mala may include 27, 56, or 108 sun salutations, or 108 minutes of meditation, kirtan, or movement meditation. Some Yoga centers will also add community service as part of their global mala events.
Most centers will time their early events this year for September 19 or 20, to match the fall equinox and give a strong lead-up to World Peace Day on September 21. Many will also have major global mala events on the September 22-23 weekend. Check with your local Yoga centers for details.
The Time for Yoga
National Yoga Awareness Month winds up on September 30 with another worldwide celebration of Yoga. At 7 pm local time, Yoga students around the world will participate together in an hour of Yoga practice, followed by 15 minutes of savasana and a 15-minute meditation for universal peace and well-being. In this way, a wave of Yoga will flow around the world to bid the sun farewell at the end of National Yoga Awareness Month.
Different Types of Yoga
Yoga is an extremely ancient concept. It is mentioned in writings as old as the Bhagavad Gita, where Yoga is divided into karma Yoga, Bakhti Yoga, and Jnana Yoga. Karma Yoga is the Yoga of action. Bhakti Yoga is the Yoga of devotion, although all Yogas are considered devotional. Jnana Yoga is the Yoga of knowledge. Hatha Yoga is the most familiar form of Yoga to most Americans. It develops strength, flexibility, and stillness of mind through physical postures ("asanas") which are designed to open the channels of the body so that energy can flow freely. The word "hatha" comes from the word for "forceful," as focused through physical exercises and applied willpower. It also has the balance of sun ("ha") and moon ("tha") which is essential for creating balance and uniting opposites. Many other types of Yogas are also practiced around the world. For example, you may see references to "eight-limbed Yoga" ("ashtanga Yoga"), which is the basis of modern Raja Yoga. These eight limbs cover all parts of lifestyle and spirit from right behaviors to proper breath control. Moksha Yoga is a form of Yoga which is practiced in very hot temperatures.
Wondering how to get started?
Making Yoga a part of your healthy lifestyle is easier than ever during National Yoga Awareness Month. Over 1,600 Yoga studios are offering a week of free introductions to Yoga, from beginner levels all the way to specialist branches of teacher training. Whether you want to try out a new branch of Yoga or have never tried Yoga before, you are certain to find a Yoga center event which is ideal for you.
Even the American government has gotten behind National Yoga Awareness Month. This National Health Observance has been marked by the Department of Health & Human Services to promote and educate the public about the health benefits of Yoga.
National Yoga Awareness Month is the perfect time to discover how Yoga can work for you. Commit a week to a free introduction to Yoga, invite Yoga into your life for a month, and discover the health benefits that will last you a lifetime.
How will you participate in National Yoga Month ?
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