Body Basics Search Results

How To: Work on your yoga headstand

Yoga can be challenging, but with a lot of practice and concentration you can learn to master certain moves and poses. This yoga how to video will help you work on you headstand. Watch and learn the proper way to measure the positioning of your body and your arms to move into the headstand.

How To: Do a backflip on the scooter

Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to perform the backflip on a scooter. The tutorial suggests that you follow the curve in the jump and lean your body back to make sure it's perpendicular to the base of the jump. Be careful when performing these scooter tricks.

How To: Add the mouthpiece to a salt pig

Watch this ceramics tutorial video to learn how to add the mouthpiece to a salt pig and finish it off. This how-to video requires a certain degree of experience, specifically the ability to make the body of the salt pig, so it's not for beginners. The instructions in this helpful video will have you finishing your salt pigs in style in no time.

How To: Do the Neck Pull #1 pilates exercise

Neck Pull #1 is an easier version of the original Pilates exercise Neck Pull which helps build strength and increase spinal flexibility. By focusing on keeping the abdominal muscles pulled in flat throughout the exercise, the lower back is always protected and the abdominal muscles are being strengthened in their flattest position. Watch this fitness how to video and you will be toning your body with pilates in no time.

How To: Do the Short Plank pilates exercise

Short Plank is derived from original pilates exercises in order to teach proper abdominal and torso support in the push up position. The exercise in this how to video will strengthen your core, strengthen your shoulder girdle stabilizers and target the deep muscles of the abdomen and spine to protect your lower back. Watch this fitness tutorial and you will be toning your body with the Short Plank pilates move.

How To: Do a Hip Twist pilates exercise

The Hip Twist is an original pilates exercise that strengthens the abdominals and the core. By focusing on a modest range of motion to start and the correct use of the abdominal muscles, your abs will get stronger and flatter and you will protect your lower back. Watch this fitness how to video and you will be toning your body with the hip twist pilates move.

How To: Do the Swimming pilates exercise

Swimming is an original Pilates exercise that strengthens the muscles of the back and strengthens the core. By focusing on pulling in the abdominals (even though you're lying on them!) you'll not only flatten the abs but also protect the lower back. Watch this fitness how to video and you will be toning your body with pilates in no time.

How To: Do a half curl pilates exercise

The Half Curl is a variation of a classical Pilates exercises that help teach how to use the abdominal muscles properly when curling off the mat from a reclined position. The effect is flatter abdominal muscles, a stronger core and a lower back that will always be protected by your strong abdominal muscles. Watch this how to video and you will be toning your body with pilates in no time.

How To: Do the Prone leg lift pilates exercise

The Prone leg lifts are variations of the classical pilates exercise the Swan Dive. This exercise tones and strengthens the back of the legs (hamstrings and glutes) and improves hip extension, both necessary components of a good Swan Dive. Remember to keep your abdominal muscles pulled in to protect the lower back and keep tension out. Watch this fitness how to video and you'll be toning your body with pilates in no time.

How To: Do the Develope pilates exercise

The Develope is a variation of the original pilates exercises in the side-lying series. This exercise tones the muscles of the legs and increases flexibility while improving core strength as well. Focus on proper form and the fluidity of the movement instead of the height of the leg and you will find this exercise far more effective. Watch this fitness how to video and you'll be toning your body with pilates in no time.

How To: Do the Scissors pilates move

The Scissors is an original pilates exercise that strengthens the abdominal muscles and increases hamstring flexibility. If your hamstrings are tight initially, decrease the range of motion so that you can keep your knee straight, otherwise your hamstring flexibility won't increase as quickly. The Scissors will deliver flatter abs and lean sculpted legs. Watch this fitness how to video and you will be strengthening your body with pilates in no time.

How To: Do the shoulder bridge pilates exercise

The shoulder bridge is an original pilates exercise that builds core strength and strengthens the hamstrings and glutes. Keep your abdominal muscles contracted throughout the exercise to support the lumbar spine. Watch this how to video and you will be strengthening your body with pilates in no time.

How To: Do a double leg lift pilates move

The double leg stretch is an original pilates exercise that strengthens your abdominal muscles and your core. Reaching your arms and legs away from your torso challenges your core strength. To increase the core challenge, don't let your head and shoulders drop as your arms and legs reach away and pull in your abs to keep them as flat as possible. Watch this fitness how to video and you will be strengthening your body with pilates in no time.

How To: Do a pilates single leg stretch

The single leg stretch is a classical Pilates exercise for strengthening and toning the abdominal muscles. For increased abdominal challenge, stop the knee at 90 degrees of hip flexion instead of hugging the knee into the chest. Actively stretch through the legs, flatten the abs and keep the shoulders down with each movement and this exercise will tone many muscles in the body. Watch this how to video and you'll be getting in shape with pilates in no time.

How To: Become aware of your pelvic placement

Pilates exercises involve strengthening the core and flattening the abs, so why are your instructors always talking about the pelvis? This how to video explains the importance of pelvic placement and how it relates to the lower back and the muscles around the hip joint. Just becoming aware of your pelvic placement as you drive your car, walk down the street or do any household activity can help you improve your alignment and strengthen the deep postural muscles of your body.

How To: Practice bound poses in yoga

This how-to video introduces bound poses in yoga. Bound poses use interlocking body parts to take a yoga stretch deeper. Many people don't know where to start with these kind of poses, so we hope this yoga how-to video helps you unlock the mystery.

How To: Perform "Tatta Adavu" in Indian Bharatanatyam dance

In Bharatanatyam, the word "Tatta" literally means "to tap". "Adavu" is translated as foot work, but "adavu" is not a presentation limited to usage of the the feet. Every single limb of the body is coordinated in a certain style. In this traditional Indian dance how to video, we are taught the Bharatanatyam way of leg tapping. This "adavu" involves only the use of legs unlike most other "adavus."

How To: Do a chair massage for arms and hands

The hands are one of the more overworked parts of the body. Watch this video to learn massage techniques that can be used to relieve aches, pains and knots in these regions while the client is relaxing on a chair. A word of advice though, use lotion instead of oil because most clients go back to work after a massage and you do not want to leave their hands greasy.

How To: Pose people for pictures

You will find a lot of information on the web about how to get an exposure reading and using a softbox, but you have to learn the most flattering angles of the face and body (poses) before you can really apply correct lighting techniques.

How To: Create an earth mother makeup look

"Green is the new black" is this leading earth-mother-lady's mantra. She cares just as much about what she puts on her body as she puts in it, and stands behind the all-natural products that are as easy on her skin as they are on the environment. And, oh, does it show!