Blog Posts by TheDailyZeel

By: StacyAtZeel

field-flickr-citeA Zeel member asks: "I have lower back pain. What type of massage is best for this type of pain?"

With a flurry of answers, Zeel Experts respond with possible bodywork solutions for all your lower back pain woes.

Structural Integration: Find Realignment

"Lower back pain is a very common symptom of structural imbalances, less-than-optimal movement habits, emotional trauma or blockages, and an accumulation of years of tension and stress that may manifest in the lower region of the spine and back," says structural integration professional Minki Kim.

Touting the benefits of structural integration, Minki explains that, "By aligning your major structures (head, neck, shoulders, hips, knees and ankles) from head to toe vertically with the Rolf Method of Structural Integration, and raising body awareness to correct inefficient postural habits, odds are you'll be feeling revitalized, with less back pain."

Deep Tissue & Acupressure: Mixing

By: StacyAtZeel

This year marks the first annual Runner's World Half Marathon, and with good reason. As the editors note in their most recent edition of the publication, the "challenging but not all-consuming" race is one of the most popular distances known to the sport.

Do you see a half in your future? Read up on these 10 fun facts to fuel you through the finish line and beyond.

1. Age is not a factor. More than 50 percent of participants are over the age of 35. Nearly 20 percent are well into their 40s. In other words, you can't use the number of candles on your cake as an excuse to back out.

2. A reasonable race. More than 45 percent of runners have completed between two and five half marathons, while 50 percent have never signed up for a full marathon.

3. Ladies first. More than 59 percent of all half-marathon finishers in 2011 were female, though the gender shift only dates back to 2005. Previously, men were in the lead.

4. California dreaming.

By: StacyAtZeel

The opening ceremony for the 2012 Olympics is upon us!

In light of London's ultimate summer spectacle, we reached out to Zeel Experts to find out which event they'd love to compete in-and what they think it takes to win the gold. USA!

Sarah Ann Corkum, personal trainer and Half Ironman

Event: Swimming relay or (obviously) triathlon

Advice: Set small goals along the way and enjoy every milestone, whether you're going for the gold or fitting into your college jeans! Set yourself up with mentors you admire and trust. Surround yourself with goal driven (athletic or not) people who can support and inspire you.

Adam Yezer, RD and sports nutritionist

Event: Olympic weightlifting. (Adam has competed in powerlifting, and actually represented the USA in the North American Masters Bench Press Contest!)

Advice: Stay confident and focused; train and go with what got you there. Stay well hydrated unless you have to make a weight class, and

By: StacyAtZeel

If not for the fact that they have only 80 calories per cup and hardly any fat at all, or that a serving packs in roughly a quarter of your daily vitamin C requirement, then embrace blueberries through the end of July because - that's right, you guessed it - it's National Blueberry Month.

Fact: As published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, did you know that blueberries are actually a native North American fruit produced in as many as 35 states? With their harvests peaking in July, it's no wonder why we take this special summer month to celebrate the antioxidant-packed fruit.

While picking them out of the container one by one can be delicious in its own right, there are lots of ways to get creative with blueberries while adding an even bigger nutrition-punch. Here are some of our favorite recipe finds; feel free to leave your own suggestions in the comments below too!

King Salmon with Blueberry Sauce. The combination of flavors in this

By: StacyAtZeel

The following article was contributed by Zeel Skincare Expert Barbara Lynn Cantone, President of Body & Soul Restorations, Inc.

Like lazy beach days and corn on the cob, sunscreen is a summer essential. But, as anyone who's ever perused the aisles at their neighborhood pharmacy knows, picking a decent sunscreen can be a confusing and frustrating process!

So many brands. So many ingredients. So many large words staring back at you from the shelves! All of a sudden, the fun of preparing for a little time in the sun is, well, no day at the beach at all!

To help make the process a bit easier, consider these three important elements the next time you're faced with the task of picking out sunscreen.

1. Broad Spectrum Coverage

Look for a sunscreen that will give you both UVA and UVB coverage. UVA rays can cause premature aging, wrinkles and skin cancer. Their partners in crime-UVB rays-can result in burns and cancer too, however.

UVB rays

By: StacyAtZeel

Ahnu's Tilden in Bright Chartreuse

Whether planning a weekend in the woods or a day-trip close to home, hiking is one of those activities that is perfect for a simple, no-frills summer retreat, where you can get out and enjoy the great outdoors while squeezing in a solid workout to boot. It's not just for the pros either; rather, head out on the trails on any given afternoon and you're bound to run into hikers of all levels-beginners and all-stars alike.

Not sure where to start? We recently caught up with four Zeel Fitness and Health Experts (while sneaking in our own two cents too-we heart hiking!) to get their input on the best trails, gear and reasons to lace up your sneakers and get out there.

Happy trails!

1. What are the top health benefits of hiking?

Devon Metz: Hiking is a great way to burn calories, work the major muscle groups, strengthen your heart and improve balance and stability. Regular exercise, such as hiking, reduces your risk of heart disease, stroke,

By: StacyAtZeel

As a longtime runner, I can assure you this: I know trigger points. The funny thing is, you probably do too. You might just not know what they are-at least, not yet.

Think of a sore spot, whether in your upper back, lower back, glutes, or anywhere else you tend to tense up after working out. Often times, when you start to poke around, it may be possible to locate an isolated area from which the discomfort is stemming.

When "triggered," these tender muscle fibers contract and tighten, causing a physical response and further discomfort. With trigger point therapy, a qualified practitioner is able to address the affected, knotty muscles.

So when is trigger point therapy appropriate?

Whenever you hurt, explains licensed massage therapist Michael Genovese. "Really, massage is like maintenance. Every so often you get bodywork, just like you'd get an oil change in your car."

Adds Kei Niebur, "You can continue to do trigger point therapy

By: StacyAtZeel

Despite recent claims that yoga causes injury and a slowing of the metabolism (where did all these haters come from anyway?), we here at Zeel love to flow. A basic yoga practice is inherently good for your body and soul, and if you haven't already incorporated regular poses-if not a regular practice-into your personal fitness routine, then consider it now.

For those of you who have never up-dogged, down-dogged, or asana-ed in any other fashion, know that headstands and arm balances aren't a requisite part of the deal. Rather, when establishing your practice, focus on basic movements that offer a gentle introduction to the ancient routine. Ease in to it slowly, and play with different styles.

Here's what our Zeel Experts have to say about the best kinds of yoga for beginners.

Hatha and Restorative Yoga

Brooklyn-based yoga instructor Alexandra Moga says that the slower pace of hatha classes gives students the time to explore proper alignment