Posts

Yoga Poses for Ankle Injury Rehab

Are you struggling with an ankle injury?

Yoga may just be your best rehabilitation modality.

However, before taking a Greenville yoga class, it’s mandatory that you allow your body an adequate period of rest. Follow the old RICE regimen: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. However, keep in mind that too much rest can actually stunt your ankle’s healing process. After the initial pain and swelling have subsided, it’s time to get going on your recovery. To avoid losing mobility and flexibility, gradually begin creating gentle movements in the ankle and exploring ankle stretches.

Poses that are awesome for maintaining flexibility include hero pose, frog pose and child’s pose. When practicing hero or child’s pose, you might consider rolling up a towel and placing it underneath your feet to subdue the pressure placed on the ankles. Another option is to tuck the toes and sit back on your heels. This provides a pretty intense stretch, so explore this option later in your healing process.

To increase ankle mobility and re-build strength, try out chair pose. Don’t hesitate to use the wall or a chair to support you if your balance is wobbly. Also, downward facing dog is a great pose to recover your ankle’s range of motion. Really press the heels down into your mat to receive that sweet ankle opening.

Finally, once your balance is solid, you can introduce balancing postures into your recovery plan to really strengthen and stabilize the muscles supporting the joint. These poses include eagle pose, half moon pose, dancer’s pose, and extended big-toe hold.

Once you are in full recovery mode, commit to a Greenville yoga class, which will surely introduce a combination of these ankle-healing postures. If you can’t seem to squeeze in a class, explore these yoga poses (asanas) before, after, or during your typical Pivotal Fitness Greenville gym workout.

/by
,

5 Ab Workouts to Better that Beach Bod

Summer is quickly approaching, as is beach-going season. What’s your game plan? Okay, maybe you’re in top-notch shape already, but there’s always room for core enhancement.

The core is your nucleus of power. Working the core provides not only a flatter, more defined belly, but also greater support and stability in your Pivotal Fitness Greenville gym workouts. So, how do you go about fortifying your center of strength?

  1. Do yoga. Yoga, especially Vinyasa and the more heated forms, does wonders for the core. It not only works the superficial muscles of the abs (the six-pack), but also the deeper muscles that provide stability and support. Check out the Pivotal Fitness Greenville yoga offerings to hit the mat.
  2. Cat vomits. Yes, this exercise isn’t the most flattering to observe or perform, but it is super effective. If performed just 3 times per week (10 reps), you will undoubtedly see marked core transformation, especially to the six-pack (that is, if you follow a clean diet regimen).
  3. Planks on top of planks on top of planks. Do high plank for 1 to 2 minutes daily. Work in some low or forearm plank. Hold 1 to 2 minutes. Throw in a good deal of side plank to work the internal and external obliques. Hold each side for at least 1 minute. Feel free to extend the hold time. The more the merrier!
  4. Russian twists. Grab that medicine ball and twist it out for about 1.5 minutes. Repeat 4 to 5 times. Set those obliques on fire!
  5. Breathe. Again, yoga comes into play. Practice Breath of Fire, a powerful breathing exercise that is super beneficial to the belly. If practiced regularly, it will tone and strengthen the deep muscles of the abdomen. It’s also a great way to warm up the body and release the mind from all thoughts and worries – to get in the zone for your workouts at the Pivotal Fitness Greenville athletic club. Warning: Other Greenville gym goers might look at you funny while doing this breathing exercise. Don’t pay them any mind.

Cultivate the core, Greenville gym enthusiasts!

/by

Greenville Yoga Classes

Yoga is an exercise that originated in India which allows you to combine physical and mental disciplines. At Pivotal Fitness we offer a variety of yoga classes to help you get in shape, increase your flexibility, and reduce stress and anxiety. As follows is our list of yoga offerings:

  • Yolates – PiYo blends together workout techniques from Pilates, yoga and more in a group exercise environment that can challenge all levels of participants
  • Sampoorna Yoga – Sampoorna yoga focuses on helping you to balanced state so that your self can shine through. At Pivotal Fitness’ Greenville yoga classes this group class incorporates pranayama, sun salutations, poses, and deep relaxation.
  • Vinyasa Flow Yoga – A dynamic form of yoga that connects postures and creates a flow between traditional Hatha yoga postures. You will take yoga to a deeper level by integrating rhythmic breathing with conscious movement.
  • Yoga – Our traditional yoga class focuses on the Hatha yoga discipline, allowing you to focus on the mind body connection. Lengthen and relax while strengthening.

If you are looking for a Greenville yoga studio, join Pivotal Fitness and get the best of both worlds. You can attend as many yoga classes as you would like for one low monthly price and also get access to our state of the art fitness equipment and a variety of other classes. Sign up for our free 7 day trial membership today at www.pivotalfitness.com.

/by