Healthy Hollywood

Healthy Hollywood: Wellness Wednesday: Strike A Pose Like Heidi Klum!

 
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  • Heidi Klum’s AOL Summer Run turns yoga with Russell Simmons in New York City on July 12, 2011

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    Heidi Klum’s AOL Summer Run turns yoga with Russell Simmons in New York City on July 12, 2011

FIRST PUBLISHED: September 21, 2011 12:17 PM EDT

LOS ANGELES, Calif. --

Celebrities love their yoga. Heidi Klum, Drew Barrymore, Matthew McConaughey and Madonna are just a few of the stars that publicly hype the benefits of yoga!

If you’ve been thinking about getting into the practice – now is the perfect time to strike a pose. September is National Yoga Month. Studios nationwide are offering free yoga classes and other incentives to motivate people to get off the couch and on the mat.

Still hesitant? Yoga expert and head of New York’s teacher training program at Pure Yoga, Kay Kay Clivio, shares with Healthy Hollywood 3 reasons to do Yoga now!

1. Yoga reduces mental stress & physical tension:

No matter which style of yoga you practice, the ultimate goal of yoga is to quiet the chatter of our busy minds. In yoga practice we use the tool of controlling the breath (pranayama) to focus the mind and allow ourselves to be present in the moment. The breath helps to calm the central nervous system and the poses (asanas) help to dissolve tightness, tension and toxicity in the muscles, leaving the yogi with a sense of physical and mental clarity.

2. Yoga balances the mind & body:

A regular yoga practice will bring balance to the entire body and all of its systems. Yoga postures are geometrically designed to stimulate the blood flow to our internal organs and glands. The result is increased energy and a feeling of balance on and off the mat.

3. Yoga heals injuries:

Yoga practice teaches us self-care. We learn in yoga to be in tune with our bodies. You will increase the awareness of your own body and build strength and insight into any injuries.

For more information on Pure Yoga, check out www.pureyoga.com

Still not convinced? Another great thing about yoga is that you don’t need to buy any pricey equipment or attire – plus you can practice it in the privacy of your home. Celebs, like Gwyneth Paltrow and Tobey Maguire, are big fans of the eco-friendly YogaForce mat, which features a colorful orange grid that helps with alignment.

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