Celebrate the summer and get in a workout at the same time. As this gallery shows, you can take your yoga just about anywhere outside when the sun shines, perhaps in an organized group or in some exotic destination, if you're lucky -- but also in your favorite park and with your favorite prop.

Speaking of props, the hula-hooping yogis of Sydney, Australia, find a new but clever use for the generation-spanning hoop. A familiar sight at parks, beaches, festivals and yoga events, Hoop Yoga puts to rest the idea of yoga as a slow-moving meditational pastime. It's a high-energy hybrid that begs you to put on legwarmers and swap the meditational music for something more upbeat.

The cousin to SUP (stand-up paddleboarding) yoga, "ka-yoga" is offered in St. Petersburg, Fla., and has the benefit of requiring slightly less coordination. Instead of requiring people to pose on the flotation device, the instructor divides the kayaking-yoga parts of the workout, so you just paddle to a scenic patch of beach and then begin the stretching and posing.

Great news: Laughter yoga is a real thing. It incorporates yogic breathing, "childlike playfulness" and visualization, usually in a small-group setting. It was created in the 1990s and its popularity is increasing to the point where studios are cropping up everywhere from Orange County, Calif., to Beirut to Houston. Though it doesn't have to be outside, it often is because it's, quite frankly, too loud for the normal studio environment.

Tassajara Zen Mountain Center bills itself as the most remote Zen monastery in the United States. Tucked in the ruggedly beautiful mountains 25 miles south of Big Sur, the center is surrounded by sea cliffs, protected forests and empty beaches. It's only open to the public for four months of every year, now through Sept. 9.

What better way to remind yourself of nature's thriving presence than to practice your meditations in a rain forest? The setting seems to attract yoga studios and students, even in quite remote locations. This rainforest retreat on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica runs "Living Yoga" rainforest retreats, Yoga in the Caribbean packages and teacher-training workshops.

Whether because it removes one from the hectic energy on the street or because it gives a more elevated visual perspective, rooftop yoga is ever-popular, especially when there's a beautiful horizon to contemplate. At the boutique Canary Hotel in downtown Santa Barbara, guests are invited to welcome another gorgeous California Riviera weekend with a complimentary 8 a.m. yoga class on the rooftop pool deck.

We all know the saying, "Take time to stop and smell the flowers." How about taking a full hour to surround yourself with them? If you're on vacation, you might be lucky enough to spend this hour in a dreamy landscape like Mirbeau Inn's Monet-inspired garden. But, if not, your own back yard or community garden might be all you need.

While luxury retreats or hip, celeb-attended classes might seem like the most motivating places to practice, yogis from Hawaii to Brooklyn to Bali know how to bliss out in the moment, even on their own. One perfectly beautiful, inspiration setting: a Northern California redwood grove.

See more here:
8 Amazing Outdoor Yoga Experiences

Typically set inside the quiet confines of a dimly lit studio, yoga is not something that immediately comes to mind when searching for a fun, outdoor activity to do. That is, until now. SUP Yoga adds a new, exciting twist to an age-old practice. For starters, a stand up paddle board takes the place of a traditional yoga mat. And a body of water acts as your yoga studio.

A single thought dominated my mind as we prepared to enter Beverly Harbor for a SUP Yoga class: theres no way I am NOT falling in. So much for the power of positive thinking. But our instructor, owner of SUP Yo, assured me that only happens to about 10 percent of her students. I tucked that affirmation into the back of my head and off we went.

If youre like me and have never been on a stand up paddle board before, it takes a few minutes to acclimate yourself to the stance and balance required to maintain it. We did a little warm-up lap around the harbor and then settled closer to shore to begin our practice. In order to avoid being swept away by the current, each board is equipped with a small anchor that securely nestles itself into the sand after being dropped into the water.

The hour-long class included an assortment of traditional yoga poses like sun salutations, downward dogs, and rejuvenating twists. As the poses became more complex, balance became more of an issue. Even the smallest of waves, or simply the current, makes your mat feel unsteady. In order to stabilize yourself, you are constantly engaging your core, along with smaller subsets of muscles throughout your body. Ten minutes into class and I knew I would be sore the next day.

The thing that surprised me the most about SUP Yoga is the fact that its as much a physical workout as it is an exercise in mental focus. I admittedly lose focus quite a bit throughout the course of my regular yoga classes. But the paddle board has a way of penalizing you for letting your mind wander. At one point during the class, my focus shifted from the pose we were instructed to wind ourselves into, to three baby crabs frolicking along the ocean floor. Seconds later, I lost my balance and ended up joining those tiny crustaceans in the chilly water. I was officially part of the 10 percent. Moments later I was back on my board. My body was drenched but my mind was more awakened.

Enough cant be said about the sensory adventure SUP Yoga offers. Our immediate surroundings , with the sounds of seagulls, soft ocean breeze, and smell of salt water, added a whole other dimension to the experience. Its soothing, yet energizing at the same time. Kind of like ice cream, but with a much more favorable calorie ratio.

SUP Yo, http://www.sup-yo.com, single class $35, rate includes board and paddle rental; classes held in Swampscott, MA, Rye Harbor, NH, Seabrook, NH.

Do you have a workout for me to try? Tweet me @ApozTv.

Read the original here:
Stand-Up Paddleboard Yoga

As befits its name, the Yoga bends itself into different shapes -- you can use it as a conventional laptop, bend it backward into a tablet, or prop it up into a "tent mode" to act as a display.

Lenovo's Ideapad Yoga 11S in just one of its several poses.

Consumers eyeing Lenovo's Yoga 11S hybrid laptop/tablet now no longer have to wait to get one.

Lenovo kicked off preorders for the new Yoga on May 16, promising that the convertible would be available for shipping and on store shelves starting June 23. Buyers can now pick one up directly at Lenovo's online store, which estimates a June 27 ship date based on an order date of June 24.

The 11S is also available through Best Buy, both online and at the company's retail outlets.

At this point, the new convertible is available in the U.S. only through Lenovo and Best Buy, a Lenovo spokesperson told CNET.

The Yoga 11S is outfitted with Windows 8, transforming it into a beefier version of its Yoga 11 predecessor, which came with Windows RT. The 11S also offers an 11.6-inch 1366x768 high-definition LED screen.

But the neatest trick is the way the Yoga bends itself into different shapes. You can use it as a conventional laptop, bend it backwards into a tablet, or prop it up into a "tent mode" or "stand mode" where it acts as a display.

You can outfit the 11S with a 3rd generation Intel Core i3, i5, or i7 processor. You can also choose either 4GB or 8GB of RAM and opt for a 128GB or 256GB solid-state drive. Prices start from $749.99 to $1,299.99 depending on the configuration and other options.

See original here:
Lenovo Yoga 11S convertible laptop now available for buyers

As befits its name, the Yoga bends itself into different shapes -- you can use it as a conventional laptop, bend it backward into a tablet, or prop it up into a "tent mode" to act as a display.

Lenovo's Ideapad Yoga 11S in just one of its several poses.

Consumers eyeing Lenovo's Yoga 11S hybrid laptop/tablet now no longer have to wait to get one.

Lenovo kicked off preorders for the new Yoga on May 16, promising that the convertible would be available for shipping and on store shelves starting June 23. Buyers can now pick one up directly at Lenovo's online store, which estimates a June 27 ship date based on an order date of June 24.

The 11S is also available through Best Buy, both online and at the company's retail outlets.

At this point, the new convertible is available in the U.S. only through Lenovo and Best Buy, a Lenovo spokesperson told CNET.

The Yoga 11S is outfitted with Windows 8, transforming it into a beefier version of its Yoga 11 predecessor, which came with Windows RT. The 11S also offers an 11.6-inch 1366x768 high-definition LED screen.

But the neatest trick is the way the Yoga bends itself into different shapes. You can use it as a conventional laptop, bend it backwards into a tablet, or prop it up into a "tent mode" or "stand mode" where it acts as a display.

You can outfit the 11S with a 3rd generation Intel Core i3, i5, or i7 processor. You can also choose either 4GB or 8GB of RAM and opt for a 128GB or 256GB solid-state drive. Prices start from $749.99 to $1,299.99 depending on the configuration and other options.

Original post:
Lenovo Yoga 11S convertible laptop now available

It can be challenging to find time to exercise as a new mum, explains senior yoga teacher Tara Lee, who specializes in dynamic, pregnancy and post-natal yoga. Dont be hard on yourself or in too much of a rush to get back into shape. Remember, it took nine months of being pregnant, so expect it may take nine months to return back to how you were.

Five reasons to lose your baby weight

Although the thought of exercising may be unappealing after giving birth, yoga can help new mothers de-stress, beat the baby blues, and ease the body back into exercise in manageable installments and here, Tara offers her top tips for practising post-natal yoga.

Her first piece of advice? Dont push yourself or exercise too strongly in the first few months, she says. You need to conserve lots of energy for producing milk. Plus, you are likely not to be getting enough sleep.

The chic-est maternity fitness clothing

Tara strongly recommends placing an emphasis on holistic recuperation, Its important to rest and eat well in the early months, and to focus on your recovery rather than bouncing back into shape immediately, she explains.

Its for this reason that Tara has taken on the role of Head Yogi at a brand new sanctuary, Mermaid, a residential centre opening in July 2013 that will offer a comprehensive array of services to support women who have just given birth. Tara explains that she and her team will help prepare women for their journey into motherhood with yoga and breathing techniques, and ensure they feel on top form.

Stay safe during your pregnancy workout

But for new mums that cant take substantial time out, there are plenty of easy-to-manage solutions to getting in shape. Taras DVDs are filled with easy exercises that you can do at home and fit into your day. She explains, I added a 10-minute quick fix section, which will be easy to squeeze into even the busiest of days. Theres also a Yoga for You and Your Baby DVD that allows women to exercise with their newborn.

Tara Lees tips forpractising post-natal yoga:

Read more:
Post-natal yoga with Tara Lee

(MoneyWatch) Yoga has become a pretty big deal in my life: Since taking up the practice several years ago I've lost 40 pounds, and at 47, am in the best physical shape of my adult life, and at least as importantly, better mental shape. I still have a long way to go on the latter, but anyone who knew the "before" model knows -- and I think appreciates -- the dramatic differences. Yoga has become such an important part of my life that I even started a little yoga-related side venture that's looking promising. And it doesn't hurt that my wife is a yoga teacher -- keeps me on the path.

No, you're not in the wrong section of the CBS site; This is a business column, I promise.

Yoga is big on teaching, learning, awareness and introspection: Whether it involves emotions and attitudes, relationships, health and well-being, or even life's big questions, there are good lessons and life/business skills to be learned, and you don't have to be the least bit earthy-crunchy (I am the furthest thing from it) to benefit from them. Here are what I consider to be the five big ones:

Equanimity: This one has done the most for me in recent years. Equanimity is a state of calm and balance that flattens out the extreme mental/emotional sine wave of business, which for many people -- especially small business owners -- is reactive and counterproductive. Everyone knows that rule number one in a crisis is to remain calm, and there's a reason for that: Calmness always leads to better decisions and a better ability to work with people. To be equanimous is, in more current parlance, to be "chill."

Focus: Both the physical and mental components of yoga are best served by trying to maintain an uninterrupted state of focus, whether it is on breathing, balance, moving or not moving, thinking or not thinking. For many entrepreneurial-types (including me), it is extraordinarily difficult to stay in a narrow band of attention for extended lengths of time. But when it comes to critical business priorities, it is important to try. A scattered brain may be a font of creativity, but it usually isn't the best problem-solving tool.

Clarity: This is, of course, the ability to see and accept things as they are before acting on them. Particularly for the business person, clarity and focus are complementary (and often equally challenging): Clarity provides awareness and understanding of a situation, whether big or small, while focus enables us to deal with it most effectively.

Empathy: Yoga is big on feeling for all other living things ("sentient beings," if you do like the crunchy stuff). And if you've read even a few of my commentaries, you know that I think this word is the key to just about everything in business. Empathy is the seed of exceptional customer service, managing employees and culture, product design and more. Business is about being paid to provide something for someone else, and empathy is about understanding what it feels like to be someone else. You can do the rest of the math.

Presence: Pretty much anyone who has done yoga is used to hearing the phrase "be present"; it is one of the most difficult concepts to fully grasp, and even harder to accept and practice. Presence is the state of understanding that the past can not be changed and you can't actually do anything in the future. The only moment you ever have is now -- it is, very literally, the only time you can think or do anything -- and recognizing that fact can make a huge difference in the way you manage your business affairs.

I'm not smoking anything, really.

Truly understanding the idea of presence can be pretty heady stuff, especially if you are on the cynical side (again, like me). If you really want to dig into it without sitting cross-legged on the floor, the work of author and modern-day philosopher Eckhart Tolle is a great place to start.

Follow this link:
The yoga of business