Blog Posts by TheDailyZeel

By: StacyAtZeel
Kim-Lien KendallHaving trouble squeezing exercise into your busy schedule? Yoga teacher, movement educator and single mom Kim-Lien Kendall knows just how hard it can be to find the time to work out; but that doesn't mean she lets excuses get the best of her. Kim says that she still manages to fit at least five workouts into every week.

If she can, so can you. "I think the best way to approach this is to recognize where your starting point is," says Kim. "You have to choose a workout routine that you will actually stick to." That means anything that's too easy, too difficult or too inconvenient is out-it simply isn't going to work. When your time is even more limited than usual, you need to choose shorter, more effective workouts. Here's how.

Lift at lunch. Physical activity can be a great way to break up your day, especially if you work a standard nine-to-five job. Rather than spending your break waiting online at the local deli, bring your lunch from home so that you can fit in a

By: StacyAtZeelMaria Sharapova

You don't have to go by Maria Sharapova to incur the wrath of elbow tendinitis, and while the condition is often attributed to sports like tennis (and golf), in reality, an achy elbow can be spawned by any type of overuse that contributes to an inflammation of the area.

As many experts will tell you, if it ends in "itis," bodywork can help. We look to three Zeel experts to take a swing at the issue.

Jon Stange, Structural Integration Professional and Massage Therapist (Santa Monica, CA)

Absolutely. Tendinitis is an inflammatory issue caused when the tendons get too tight, due to either overuse or an imbalance between flexor muscles and extensor muscles. Scar tissue from micro-tears can also build up around the attachment site of the tendon, making the condition chronic.
Massage and icing are a good first approach. Rolfing will create better movement patterns to keep this problem from coming back.

Debbie Clemans, Massage Practitioner (Everett, WA)

By: StacyAtZeel
This guest blog post comes from Zeel Expert Natasha Uspensky, CHHC, AADP Zeel Expert Natasha Uspensky

The field of nutrition is a relatively new one, which means there is tons of seemingly contradictory information floating around, much of it with science to back it up! This can be incredibly confusing and frustrating to someone just looking to get healthy and eat well. Though there are several different approaches to eating that can be equally beneficial to different people with varying body types, activity levels and needs, there are definitely some major diet myths and trends that everyone can stand to cut out in spring 2012, along with last year's harem pants and formaldehyde-ridden keratin treatments.

DIET MYTH #1: All calories are created equal

The biggest problem with most calorie-counting diets is that they are based on the premise that a calorie is a calorie - and less calories equals greater health. There is so much wrong with this principle. Eating a 2,000 calorie diet of fresh fruits

By: StacyAtZeel
Lunges are one of the best-and easiest-ways to keep your legs, thighs and glutes trim and toned. The do-it-anywhere movement requires little equipment and, at that, little effort; all you need is an open space, a bit of motivation and these seven secrets to perfecting your positioning. Armed with these tidbits, you'll be ready in no time to take the lunge.Photo of lunge.

1. Your upper body should remain vertical while lowering down into the lunge. If you lean forward or backward, you could lose your balance.

2. While you want to stay vertical, don't assume any awkward postures. Make sure to keep your back naturally arched. Standing too straight or leaning to far forward or backward can lead to injury.

3. Use your front leg for support and core strength to try and reach the rear foot as far back as you can.

4. While lunging forward, your knee should not go past your toes. Look down and align your body before proceeding.

5. While you are in the downward motion of the

By: StacyAtZeel

When most think of us think of acupuncture, we conjure images of hair-thin needles protruding from various points throughout the body-the nose, the ears, the belly. New York City acupuncturist Bruce Mandelbaum takes a different approach, one he calls local point acupuncture.Unlock and release tension through acupuncture

Local point acupuncture is especially advantageous for soft tissue-based muscular conditions. Piriformis syndrome? Local point acupuncture can help. Achilles tendinitis? Limited range of motion? Shoulder tightness? Again, your body may benefit from the application of local point acupuncture.

As Bruce, a reputable sports acupuncturist, explains, your body can become injured or strained due to physical activity or adding stress to the underlying muscles. By applying needles to specific points locally along this injury or strain, acupuncture can physically unlock that source of tension, releasing the muscle from a tense or hardened state.

Local point acupuncture isn't necessarily a

By: StacyAtZeel

The effects of a therapeutic massage and bodywork session can be profound; but it's essential to remember to hydrate afterward.Humans are mostly water; take care to replenish and refresh your body by drinking it

"The lingering sensation of a good bodywork session can last for days," says gifted healer and New York City massage therapist Madeline Michaels. "You've had your lymphatics drained, stress has been lifted, muscles have been stretched and soothed, and for the most part, the mind has achieved that "still point," allowing for greater healing to take place-emotionally and physically."

One way to facilitate this overall sense of wellness and balance is to drink up-water, that is. Madeline explains.

"Follow up by drinking quality water to help flush toxins from the body," she says. "During a massage, there is an energy exchange within the cells of the body; the old (toxins and waste) is pushed out of the cells and the new (oxygen) enters them. Water flushes toxins and waste from the body and transports nutrients to where they are needed."

The

By: StacyAtZeel

With recent allegations that yoga does all sorts of evil things like injure the body and slow the metabolism, of course The New York Times couldn't resist scandalizing it even more by placing the ancient act in the realm of sexual eroticism.
Healthy, with matching sex-drive
We already know that yoga calms the mind and relieves stress. Now that we know it helps you become more aware of your body's sensations, strengths and limitations-all of which lend to a healthy sex life-let's delve into which poses can give you the most bang for your buck.

Improve your flexibility and strengthen your pelvic muscles with these four yogic asanas.

Seated Cat/Cow. Sitting with legs crossed, alternately arch your back as you inhale, and round your back as you exhale. Flow in and out of each arch as you please.

Camel. Kneel with an upright torso. Lean back, stretch your hips forward and touch your hands to your heels. Look up. Take deep breaths and stay in this position for one to two minutes.

Shoulder Stand. Lying on

By: StacyAtZeel

Zeel Member: I've started running in the last couple years. But each time I start running (well, jogging) for 30 or 45 minutes at a stretch, maybe three times a week, I inevitably aggravate an old ankle injury and have to cut back or stop running for several weeks. Basically, I keep getting sidelined just as it's getting really fun! What to do?Running correctly may help prevent injuries rather than aggravating old ones.

Zeel fitness expert Frank Baptiste gives a thorough response ripe with valuable tips.

Run faster, not longer. You're better off trying to run at a faster speed rather than for longer stretches of time, Frank explains. Because of the difference in body mechanics, jogging is actually much harder on the joints than sprinting. With sprinting, the foot strikes directly beneath the body rather than out in front. The result: your impact and force will be far less.

Keep off pavement. Pavement causes too great an impact while running, making it less than ideal for someone who is recovering from an injury. "Stick to flat, stable surfaces,"