by Valerie Brooks

Take a Cruise and Say Om

Blogger Paloma Chavez has a great idea for your next vacation. Princess Cruise Lines is now offering healthy mindful options for your next sea adventure. Called Fitness @Sea, this in-cabin video series of fitness classes will help defray the over-eating that almost always accompanies a cruise. Now you can stretch, do yoga, cardio exercises, and flex in the comfort of an average-sized cabin. Kids can get it on the fun too with their Yoga Programs for teens and children, which is free for both kids and parents. The cruise line is also offering tai chi, meditation, and a Wii Fit Yoga Program. Other cruise lines will hopefully follow the trend. See yogahub.com.

Facial Yoga

There are many pressure points associated with the head and face. This recent video from Expertvillage offers a short but effective demonstration of how to relieve stress using imagery, tapping, and touch on the face, head, neck, and hair. It’s a great energy-booster as well, combining massage techniques with a drop of oil, gentle hair lifting to engage the scalp, and light ear pulling. You can follow the sequence they show and then repeat it (since it’s only 2.5 minutes) or concentrate on the areas you feel need it most. See more at youtube.com.

Yoga and Martial Arts—Fitness Cousins?

A karate studio in Allston, Massachusetts, is opening its doors to yogis. Now, students can practice both arts on different days of the week. Jason Gould, the studio’s director claims that the two disciplines aren’t nearly as different as people might think. Although one typically thinks of defending oneself or learning to perfect a powerful kick with martial arts, and enlightenment, breath awareness, and relaxation with yoga, the two actually have a lot in common. Gould says they stem from the same roots, naming four commonalities: “harmonizing the body, mastering a technique or posture, breath awareness, and mindfulness.” He refers to both of them as “moving meditations.” Can’t argue with that. Read more at boston.com.