Mar22

Pose + Purpose: Virabhadrasana III

Posted By: Daphne's

Categories: California Greek Culture, Daphne's California Greek, Exercise, Fitness, fitness, fitness club, healthy living, Healthy Living, Jessica Mulvey, Live Well, Virabhadrasana, yoga classes, yoga poses, yoga postures, YogaBabes

This month's pose + purpose is a standing asana called Virabhadrasana III, or Warrior III Pose. This posture strengthens your legs, tones your core, and improves your balance.

1. Begin in crescent lunge. Your right knee is bent to a 90-degree angle and your left leg is straight and engaged behind you. Your torso is perpendicular to the ground and your arms are lifted up in line with your torso.

2. Moving into warrior III, bring your arms out in front of you, parallel to the ground. Gracefully float your left leg up, as you simultaneously straighten the right, standing leg. 

3. Your left leg and your arms should now be parallel to the ground so that from the side, your body looks as if it were making a "T". Be sure to engage your core because it will help you to find balance and will also protect your lower back. Finally, find a micro-bend in your standing leg to protect the knee joint.

4. Focus on maintaining the posture by concentrating on your breath for 10-30 seconds. When ready to come out of the posture make your way back to a crescent lunge by slowly bending your standing leg and lowering the left leg down to the floor behind you.

-YogaBabe

Jan10

NATURE’S LIQUID GOLD

Posted By: YogaBabes

Categories: Daphne's California Greek, EAT WELL, health benefits of honey, Jessica Mulvey, liquid gold, raw honey benefits, royal jelly, YogaBabes

Let’s talk honey–that delicious, golden nectar prominent in many-a-Mediterranean-desserts and a staple in the average American’s cup of tea. You may already know that it is a healthier alternative to processed white sugar, but did you know that raw, unrefined honey provides benefits to your body besides satiating that sweet tooth? Because the honey is unprocessed, it retains all the enzymes, pollen, royal jelly, propolis, rich vitamins, minerals and carbohydrate content.

5 Fun facts about raw honey:

1.  Raw honey is 100% pure, unfiltered, never strained and never heated above 115 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Studies suggest raw honey may suppress your cough (it is not just an old wives’ tale).

3. Raw honey has both anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.

4. Raw honey can help with the occasional sleeplessness.

5. Studies are finding that local honey may help provide some relief to seasonal allergy sufferers.

Though honey provides a multitude of health benefits, bear in mind that it does contain a large amount of fructose (about 70%), which must be consumed in moderation.

So the next time you hit your farmer’s market, pick up some local honey and enjoy nature’s liquid gold!

 -YogaBabe
  Image source

Dec29

YOGABABE POSE + PURPOSE

Posted By: YogaBabes

Categories: Daphne's California Greek, Exercise, Healthy Living, healthy living, Jessica Mulvey, Live Well, Parsva Bakasana, side crow, yoga classes, yoga poses, yoga postures, YogaBabes, YogaBabes

This month's pose + purpose is Parsva Bakasana or Side crow, which is an arm balancing posture that enhances your sense of balance while toning your core simultaneously. Please note that if you have any wrist or lower back injuries, you should avoid this pose.

1. Come to a squatting position with the knees into the chest.

2. Come up on to the balls of your feet and bring your palms flat on the floor in front of you about shoulder's distance apart.

3. Keeping the palms in place, twist so that your lower body, your knees and your hips face to the left and bend your arms to a 90-degree angle

4. Hook the outside of your right knee on your left elbow. Lift your left leg and glue it on top of your right.

5. Bring your gaze about 6-10inches in front of you and shift your weight forward so that your toe float up off the ground

6. Engage your core and lift up slightly in your chest. Smile!

7. Now try the other side.

-YogaBabe

Dec01

Jujubes

Posted By: Chris Cote

Categories: EAT WELL, Exercise, Fitness, Healthy Living, Jessica Mulvey, juju be, juju bee, jujubes, Live Well, Menu , YogaBabes

Have you ever tried a jujube? No, I am not talking about the candies, I am talking about the fruit. If not, don’t fret because I was only introduced to them this year myself! Jujubes come from small trees and resemble miniature apples. In fact, I think they taste a little bit like caramel apples. Although this fruit may not be particularly well known, it has some very unique and amazing attributes.

Surprisingly enough, some studies are showing jujubes to have medicinal qualities, such as the capability to prevent ulcers, dry skin, diarrhea, liver disease, anxiety, and insomnia. The farmer I bought my jujubes from even claimed that Jujubes have the potential to balance the nervous system and regulate hormones.

Now that we all know jujubes are great for our health, let’s talk about all the ways we can eat them. I prefer to just eat mine raw, like an apple. If you really want to bring out the flavor, boil the jujubes in water, squeeze in some lemon and add a bit of local honey to enjoy as a tea. I've also heard that you can bake with them, eat them as dried fruit snacks, or toss them in stews. Take a trip to your local farmers market, get creative in the kitchen and reap all of the amazing health benefits of jujubes!

Nov17

yogababe pose + purpose

Posted By: Daphne's

Categories: Daphne's California Greek, Exercise, Fitness, Healthy Living, Jessica Mulvey, Live Well, Prasarita Padottanasana, yoga classes, yoga poses, yoga postures, YogaBabes

This month’s pose and purpose is: Prasarita Padottanasana or wide-legged forward bend (with hands interlaced behind your back). This posture is wonderful because you can easily perform it at your office. I chose this posture because if you are reading this blog is most likely means you are sitting at your computer, yeah? Which also means that a nice anterior deltoid and pectoralis major stretch could be just what the yoga instructor ordered.  Essentially, this pose stretches your hamstrings, your pecs, and your shoulders while also releasing neck tension. 

Stand with your feet about 3 feet apart. Reach your hands behind you, and interlace your fingers. Take a deep inhale, lift your chest, and slow fold forward. Once you have folded forward enough to feel the hamstrings being stretched, micro-bend in your knees. A micro-bend is when you slightly bend your knees so that it protects the joint, but it’s a bend so small you would not visibly notice it. Now, slowly move your hands up and over your head so you feel a gentle stretch through your chest and shoulders. After your take 5 slow breaths, release your hands to your waist and slowly roll up to standing. 

-YogaBabe

Oct20

Yogababe + Cucumbers

Posted By: YogaBabes

Categories: cucumber recipes, cucumbers, Daphne's California Greek, EAT WELL, Healthy Living, Jessica Mulvey, YogaBabes

This yogini loves Daphne’s menu options, and my favorite items are the ones with cucumber. Want to know why? Cucumbers are magical. Yes, I know magical may seem like a bold statement, but hear me out.
Not only are cucumbers sodium-free, fat-free, cholesterol-free, and low cal, they are also an an excellent source of:

-vitamin A, which supports good eye health, a healthy immune system, and proper cell growth.

-vitamin B6, which stabilizes blood sugar levels.

-vitamin K, which prevents bruising and strengthens bones.

-minerals such as silica, potassium, zinc, calcium, and magnesium.

And besides being chock-full of vitamins and minerals, cucumbers also come in handy.
Gardeners claim that if you place a few cucumber slices in an aluminum pie tin it causes a chemical reaction that only the bugs can smell – and the bugs hate it! Ever wonder why beauty spas love cucumbers so much? Cucumber slices placed on the skin will release phytochemicals that, for a few minutes, tighten wrinkles and cellulite. Even rub a slice of cucumber over a mirror and it will eliminate the fog while leaving your bathroom smelling like a spa.

So like I said – Cucumbers – Magical.

Sep27

Guest Blog From YogaBabes

Posted By: YogaBabes

Categories: Jessica Mulvey, yoga classes, yoga poses, yoga postures, YogaBabes

Namaste,

I'm Jessica from YogaBabes and I couldn't have been more delighted when Daphne's invited me to be a guest on their blog! 
I am a passionate yoga teacher, food connoisseur, green living lover, and blogging enthusiast that will be dropping by Daphne's blog monthly to share my yoga tips and tid bites on healthy living. I have my bachelors in science from Loyola Marymount University in Natural Science and yoga certified through CorePower Yoga.
Seeing as though this month is National Yoga Month, I wanted to celebrate with Daphne's by giving half off (starting today through the end of October) to anyone who mentions Daphne's when booking a private yoga session through YogaBabes. Email me HERE for scheduling. 

Alright, now for the Pose & the Purpose
The pose of the month is Marichyasana, also called: 1-Legged Seated Spinal Twist. I love this pose because it elongates your spine, improves posture, and it also aids in digestion.

Begin seated on your mat with your legs extended straight out in front of you.
Bend your right knee and place your heel as close to your right sit-bone as you can. 
Reach your right arm behind you and plant your palm on the floor. Press your right hand on the floor behind you to help lengthen your spine. 
Place your left elbow on the outside of your right knee to encourage a deeper twist. Stay here for 5 or more. Use each inhale to lengthen the spine and each exhale to twist further.