Tai Chi Tuesday: Practicing From a Wheelchair

Don't let anything stop you: tai chi is an option for fitness and flexibility no matter your mobility and fitness level.

Fitness Friday: Leg Day

Step Up to the Calorie Counter: No-Bake Banana Bites

Spring has sprung, which will take you outdoors and away from the kitchen. Try these nifty snacks on the go, courtesy of Nature Box.

Remember to look for low-salt and l0w-sugar ingredients — and try to find local honey.

Makes 2 dozen 1-inch balls

Ingredients:

• 1 cup NatureBox Banana chips
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup chunky peanut butter (or other nut butter of your choice)
• 1/3 cup honey

Directions:

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Crush the banana chips with the back of a butter knife (or roughly chop in food processor) and add to a large mixing bowl.

Add the oats and cocoa to the banana chips and mix together. Add the peanut butter and honey and stir well.

Place in the refrigerator and chill for 30 minutes. Once chilled, remove from the refrigerator and form small 1-inch balls with your hands.

Place onto a baking sheet and chill for 15-30 minutes (until firm). Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Courtesy Nature Box

Tai Chi Tuesday: The Paradox of Tai Chi Rooting and Movement

People who study tai chi are familiar with the term rooting, or to be in solid contact with the ground.
During a tai chi demonstration, viewers notice right away the fluid ease of movement.

However, this presents a paradox: how can we stay rooted and still remain fluid in our movement?

The answer is this: with each step, along with proper breathing and relaxation, we need to focus our body weight onto the soles of our feet. This gives us rooted, constant, solid contact with the ground — and yet we remain relaxed, and therefore can move with unencumbered freedom to maintain our fluidity.

One concept I try to instill in my students is to stay focused.  When practicing chi, if you hesitate anywhere within the form, stop right away. Take as many breaths as needed in order to recompose, then get back in contact with your chi. After a few meditative breaths, you then can continue your practice.

One uncorrected mistake can lead to many more mistakes, lack of relaxation and poor rooting.  Catch yourself when you lose your chi, and get yourself back on track.

Fitness Friday: Primal Workout

Today's hottest fitness trend, primal workout, is a lot of work, but also looks like a lot of fun.

In the primal workout, exercisers mimic the movements of animals in the wild: run, scurry, hop, stretch like a variety of animals. I will have my clients give this a try — but I also will keep it light and interesting.

Watch the BBC video above, then try it for yourself — and let me know how you fared.


Remember: work hard, be careful, have fun.

Step Up to the Calorie Counter: 'Fries' Option

You don't have to give up all of the "junk food" you like. Consider healthy alternatives, like this tasty option for French fries.

Butternut squash.
Baked.
Tasty!

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 425º F.
2. Use a sharp knife to carefully cut away the peel from the squash. Cut the squash into sticks like French fries. Arrange squash pieces on a baking sheet and season with salt.
3. Bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven, turning the fries over halfway through baking. Fries are done when they are starting to brown on the edges and become crispy.

Courtesy of TheBERRY and AllRecipes.

Tai Chi Tuesday: Get Ready for World Tai Chi and Qi Gong Day April 27

Join this global movement: find an activity in your area on World Tai Chi and Qi Gong Day April 27.

Find out more at the World Tai Chi and Qi Gong Day website.