Tips for Combatting the Growing Obesity Epidemic and How the PHIT Act Can Help

Obesity is a gowing epidemic in the United States. According to the CDC, "Obesity related illness including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancers are the leading causes of preventable death." It is truly "sad" that this is happening in our country. Ironically S.A.D. is also the acronym for the Standard American Diet. 

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Our government considers this to be such an enormous problem, with health care costs going through the roof, that Congress is working on a bill called the PHIT Act. The PHIT Act will provide tax incentives to encourage physical fitness by allowing you to take a tax credit of up to $1000 as an individual, or $2000 per household for fitness expenses such yoga classes and gym memberships.

Inactivity is now the 4th leading cause of death in the USA and it contributes to the number one leading cause, which is heart disease.  Exercise and meditation, combined with breathwork can significantly reduce your chances of developing heart disease. Type 2 diabetes can also be reversed with a combination of a diet rich in plant based foods and physical movement. 

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Inactivity is a HUGE problem and electronic devices and video games are adding to it. Physically fit kids on the other hand have been proven to get better grades in school. Add yoga to their physical activity and you will also see an increase in focus, memory and concentration.  I would eventually love to see all schools incorporate yoga and meditation into the school day and I believe we are headed in that direction, but we are not there yet. So parents, bring your kids and teens to yoga in the evenings or on the weekends. Even consider practicing yoga together. It is a great activity for the whole family! 

Your health is one of your greatest assets! Your body is your temple. WE can be in control of our lives for the most part. It is not easy to lose large amounts of weight, but it is not as hard as you may think if you break the weight loss process down it into small attainable steps. In other words, set simple goals that you can realistically achieve, be kind and accepting to yourself along the journey and know that there is always help. I have worked with clients who struggle with their weight and they have told me how intimidating it is to join yoga classes because their bodies literally cannot fully do many of the postures. I know that is a major point of frustration and discouragement. If that sounds like you, I am here to help you lose weight and feel better about yourself. I will modify everything in your yoga practice to make it work for you. 

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I would strongly suggest if you are looking to lose more than 30 pounds that we schedule a private consultation, take body measurements (the scale is not always the best indicator for weight loss) and make a plan that will work specifically for you. I can teach you modifications that you can then use in group classes. I will also help by holding you accountable (accountability is a big motivator). Commit to yourself to creating a happy, healthy and active lifestyle. You will be amazed when many of your aches and pains disappear and by the energy and the enthusiasm that will flow back into your life.  You were designed to feel good!

Health & happiness,

Libby

PS -  My monthly membership cost is $130. If the PHIT Act passes, you will be able to write off $1000 from your yoga class fees annually on your taxes as an individual, or up to $2000 for a household.  You can even use this tax credit for Teacher Training and turn it into a money making venture for yourself! Please, I urge you, reach out to your Member of Congress and say YES to the PHIT Act! If you or a loved one (children included) are overweight, see me or someone who can help you.  

Live the Life You Love.... Do you LOVE your Job?

Do you wake up every morning excited to hop out of bed and start your day? If so then you are likely doing what you love.  If not, then it might be time to explore a change. What if I told you you could listen to your favorite music, light relaxing candles, exercise and meditate all day in a job with very little to no stress? Well, it IS possible and the answer is Yoga Teacher Training! Become a yoga teacher and not only help others relieve stress and tension, but you too will benefit! I tell you from my heart it is the BEST JOB EVER!!!!!!

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My next training session begins October 28th. We will meet approximately one weekend per month. I am very flexible, within reason, if you need to miss a session I will work with you. My training program is different than most other programs for multiple reasons. I designed it because I loved my training under one of the best Rocket Yogi's out there, Amber Gean at Yoga Ah. However, once I began teaching I realized that Rocket Yoga, even though I loved it, does not fit the needs of the general population. So I had to learn quite a bit on my own. I said "yes" to every teaching opportunity that came my way when I finished my training and was soon teaching 27 classes a week at various studios throughout Cincinnati. I learned what worked and what did not work. I designed my training program to encompass all that I learned in my training, and all that I learned on my own so that you will have all the knowledge that I now have after thousands of teaching hours.

You will learn the history and philosophy of yoga, as well as how to teach Ashtanga Yoga, Rocket Yoga, Hatha Yoga, restorative Jaba Yoga, Yin Yoga, Thai Yoga and how to teach to people with injuries and disabilities (yoga truly is for everyone and its growing popularity in the USA is a very positive trend). I will equip you with the tools and the knowledge for you to be able to confidently teach the style that feels right to you, and for you to work with whatever might come up in a given class. You will learn modifications, alignment, anatomy, history, adjustments, body composition anaylsis, weight loss plans, nutrition... This is really so much more than yoga training. It is a wellness program for whole life living. You will be prepared and ready to teach by the end of the program.

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My Teacher Training course is dynamic in that we will start with a group circle and a short information session. Then we will always practice together. Following practice we will have another circle where we go over interesting and informative subjects such as philosophy and Sanskrit. Then we get up and move again focusing on alignment, adjustments, or the topic of the day. You are never just lectured to for 8 hours. It flows easily and quickly and is very fun! This experience is truly life changing and you will build lasting friendships and bonds (please read Wendy Riker's and Ben Brynjulfson's stories from my past blogs to get student perspectives on my Teacher Training program).  

In addition to all that you will learn, Teacher Training increases your personal strength, your agility, your flexibility of body and mind and your confidence on and off the mat. It will also enhance public speaking skills, reduce stress, improve sleep and improve your posture.  The benefits are endless! 

You can decide if you want to make teaching a full time or a part time career. It has beautiful flexibility and pays roughly $15-75 an hour. I know that is a broad span, but it is indeed true. My program also has a strong a business module where you will learn how to maximize your earning potential.  

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Sign up now for the early bird special to save hundreds of dollars! There are only have 8 spots remaining. I cap the amount of students to assure that you get quality attention and personalized instruction. I will work with you and I have payment options, so please do not be overwhelmed with the tuition fees. Your investment in yourself through Teacher Training returns to you in many ways when you begin teaching. Both in terms of the money that you will earn as a Yoga Alliance certified instructor, in the personal growth that you will undergo, and also with the satisfaction that you will receive from helping other people improve their lives through yoga. 

Live the life you love, love the life you live,

Libby McAvoy

PS - Call me at 513-237-5330, or write to me via my contact form to reserve your space before this class fills up.  As I mentioned earlier, I only conduct Teacher Training two times a year, and enrollment is limited to 8 students to assure that you get a high level of personal instruction.  My "Early Bird Special" will also save you a significant amount of money if you enroll now.  

*Teacher Training will be held at Breakthrough Fitness (not far from my former location). They are in the process of creating a space just for us!

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How to do a Headstand: 6 Steps to a Safe Headstand Using a Solid Foundation to Achieve Your Goals

It's a brand new week so it is the perfect time to set new goals. Make a list of easy ones that you would like to accomplish today. Next, make another list of slightly bigger goals you would like to accomplish this week. Finally, write down several really, really big dreams! If you believe they will happen and work toward them, you will likely achieve your goals!

The first step is getting started, and honestly that is usually the hardest part. Building a firm foundation is key. In relationships that foundation might include honesty, respect, communication and many other joint things of importance. For financial goals and manifesting abundance, it may involve a solid education, connections in your field of interest, and many hours of dedication and perseverance. In yoga, a firm foundation requires a regular disciplined practice. Through this regular practice you build the strength and flexibility allowing you to advance. You create awareness on the mat that then carries off the mat and into your daily life. And all of these experiences affect your practice! After all, the body and mind are deeply connected. 

Today I will show you the basic foundations for learning how to do a safe and sturdy headstand. This method will allow you to graduate into the full inversion as you feel ready; letting go of your fears and building your core strength. It is very important to use your core and to listen to your body! If you feel too much pressure on your neck, come immediately out of the posuture!  

Here are the 6 steps for safely doing a headstand:

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1. Start in downward dog position. Drop to your forearms and interlace your fingers around your head. Bring your big toes together, then walk your toes in toward your elbows. Stay here and breathe to build strength and get used to having your head below your heart, OR move to step 2. 

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2. Lift one leg at a time using your core strength. Keep your knees bent and legs close to your body coming into egg position. Feel free to do this with your back close to a wall and your mat doubled under your head and arms.  

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3. Once both knees are up you are in control. You can slowly lift one leg at a time all the way up, or if this is enough for you at this moment, simply come back down.  

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4. Keeping your knees bent as you raise your legs allows your center of gravity to stay low. So, if you feel wobbly, simply lower your legs and come safely back down.

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5. Go slowly. Take your time. Press into your forearms to relieve pressure on the neck. Eventually, you will have the strength to press all the way up so that your head leaves the ground.

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Photography by Morgan McAvoy

6. Finally, you can lift all the way up and achieve a full headstand. To come down safely and in control you want to practice coming back into that egg position. Remember, listen to your body. This is not the place for the ego to be involved. Safety is a priority.  

Practicing headstands has many benefits including: stress relief, increased focus, improved digestion, increased shoulder and arm strength, decreased fluid build up and retention in the legs, ankles, and feet, and increased core strength. Headstands also stimulate the lymphatic system. Not to mention they are fun and bring out your inner child!

It is so important to remember to have fun in life and continue to grow and accomplish new things! We are NEVER too old. Age is simply a number. What is important is how we feel. So get to it! Set your personal goals and make them happen. Feel the energy rise as your dreams start to come true! 

My personal short term goals this week are to: 

1. Finish organizing my studio space at home.

2. Make and deliver treats to families I know who are struggling.  

3. Clean and put away all of my laundry (dirty secret revealed! I tend to throw clothes on top of my dresser instead of actually opening the drawers).  

My longterm goals are to: 

1. Make an instructional video and DVD.

2. Plan and implement yoga retreats.  

3. Grow the audience for this blog and website by offering high quality content.

Feel free to comment and share your goals! I would love to hear from you. Remember, these are the starting points. If you do not accomplish them today or this week, forgive yourself and add it to your goals for the following day or week. Practice full acceptance of yourself and know that all is coming!

Simply believe!  

Libby

PS - Make sure to sign up for my NEWSLETTER.  If you do it through the pop-up window on my website, you will automatically be given access to my new and highly informative article called, "Top 10 Reasons to Practice Yoga." This inspiring guide also has links to additional articles that go deeper into each subject. Email me if you are already signed up for my newsletter and I will send you the password and instructions to access these tips.  You will also receive the password in my next newsletter that I am currently writing.  Thanks so much for your support and interest!