This is not your mother’s baby and me yoga. Lena Fokina, a 50-year-old Russian self-proclaimed “baby yoga guru” who lives in Egypt teaching is causing a stir across the Internet with her approach to baby yoga. http://kenguru3.narod.ru/index.html She made a baby yoga video that she claims is an everyday practice, but was so shocking it was taken off of YouTube. While she never lets go of the baby’s arms, she swings, flings, and tosses around a (at the time) two-week old baby, claiming it’s simply “baby yoga.” Isn’t yoga supposed to relax, calm and resolve tension? Traditional American baby yoga is usually adults practicing yoga gently with their babies, however according to Fokina, Russian baby yoga is a little more… well, rough. From swimming in the Gulf of Aqaba with her nephew (who is clearly far too young to know how to swim) to holding two babies at once upside down with her hands, Fokina and her daughter are surely pushing the limits when it comes to caring for a newborn. Read this interview with Fokina to find out her more about her views on baby yoga. See how That’s Fit readers reacted to this video. MaryKate M. How is that even yoga? What does it have to do with yoga at all?! She should be jailed! Carole R. Child abuse! Alicia C. Speechless… I couldn’t watch much of that. Sounded like it is someone elses baby… I was in a great mood until I saw that! They mentioned her commenting on American babies, didn’t even want to read what she has to say. Trisha M. OMG that video is… INSANE! I could hardly watch the whole thing! That WOMAN IS INSANE! Is that her baby, has she ever had children herself?! I’d guess NOT! Did you all read the interview? Nice part, when she’s asked if an infant has ever been injured while doing this. She answers, “I don’t recall.” WHAT KIND OF ANSWER IS THAT? That means,”Yes, I did. But I don’t want to tell the rest of you.” There are no words for my reaction to this, and no way to describe what should happen to any MORON who does that to a baby! Lindsey C. That was insane! I thought I was going to have a heart attack watching that video. Who is the mother that handed their child over to that woman? Mary P. I couldn’t watch the whole thing. Had to stop. Too painful. Wow, that’s can’t be good for the baby. Just can’t be. Mary C. Wow, a bit scary to say the least! Permalink | Email this | Comments
Amazon.com I am one of those people who feels clumsy and ungraceful when I do yoga in the best of circumstances, so when I first heard about naked yoga classes, the idea filled me with dread. I simply couldn’t imagine the amount of confidence — and shaving — something like this would require. I declined an invitation to try a class and a private lesson at a recently opened naked yoga studio, even after I was assured the lights would be dimmed and no one was interested in checking me out. Then I received a copy of the new video series “Yoga Undressed.” If I were ever going to try unclothed exercise in any form, this was more my speed. Not that striking a pose without clothes was on my bucket list or anything, but I admit I was a little curious. Would it be an enlightening experience that helped me change my relationship with my body like the package copy promised? Or would it be creepy and disturbing like that time in my college women’s study class when the instructor encouraged us to view our private parts with a mirror? I figured I might as well find out in the privacy of my own home, at a time when no one was around, maybe with garbage bags taped over the windows. .relatedLinksR{width:240px;border: 1px solid #CCCCCC;float:right;margin:10px 0 10px 10px;}.relatedLinksL{width:240px;border: 1px solid #CCCCCC;float:left;margin:10px 10px 10px 0;}.relatedLinksL a{text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;color:#004173;}.relatedLinksR a{text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;color:#004173;}.relatedListContainer ul{list-style-type:none;padding:0 10px;white-space:normal !important;}.relatedHeader {padding:10px 10px 0;}.relatedHeader h3{font-size:18px;color:#000000;border-bottom:1px dotted #CCCCCC;padding-bottom:4px;}.relatedHeader{font-size:18px;color:#000000;}.relatedListContainer ul li {background:url(“http://o.aolcdn.com/os/sphere/art/blue-icon”) no-repeat scroll 0 7px transparent;margin-bottom:3px;padding-left:10px;} More We Tried It WeFitfor2 Couples DVD The UltraSimple Diet Cool Shapes Contouring Apparel Even before I double-locked the doors and cued the DVD, I couldn’t shake my discomfort. For starters, the covers of the “Yoga Undressed” DVD series feature gorgeous models depicted in the most contorted positions imaginable. Not one of them seems to have an ounce of unnecessary fat or a ripple of firm muscle that doesn’t look as if it has been carved by Michelangelo himself. Intellectually I know that yoga is not supposed to be about having the perfect body, but emotionally I found these images intimidating. They made me hyperaware of even my slightest imperfections. Simply reaching for the remote seemed to make my inner thighs jiggle, my bra bulge expand and my tummy bunch up in rolls. I stood there for a long time, finger poised on the play button, my baggy T-shirt and sweats still shielding me from reality. I really felt like wussing out. All that’s left to do is whip off my clothes, I said to myself, and I will finally be able to celebrate both my higher self and my nether regions. I would love to be one of those women who loves skinny dipping, but alas, I can barely try on pants in a communal dressing room. I decided to take a striptease approach and ease into my nakedness slowly, so I sat down on the mat and removed my socks. When I finally did start the video, it was obvious from the first frame that I was right about the shaving thing. These girls definitely know their way around a razor, whereas I rarely shave above the knee except for special occasions. The instructor faced the camera in a seated, cross-legged lotus position with her well-trimmed vajayjay on full display. Of course, that’s not the point. The point is to free your spirit and learn to love yourself warts and all by following this elegant, flowing practice in the buff, or at least in bare feet. I did finally did work up the nerve to take it all off, but I lasted for only about 15 seconds. Part of the reason for this was my Beavis and Butt-head moment when the instructor explained the practice was from the kundalini school of yoga. Then I totally lost it when she went into a downward dog. Despite the strategic camera angles, all I could think of was the Seinfeld episode where Jerry explained the difference between good naked and bad naked. The instructor was inspiring and amazing, but following her lead I felt like a whole lot of bad naked. By the next asana, I quickly rushed to cover up my “asana” once again. I want to point out that my apprehension at exposing my body, even when no one else was around to judge, definitely says more about me than “Yoga Undressed.” The videos are well instructed, beautifully shot and tastefully executed. As the narrator said, yoga in the nude should make you feel like the bold goddess you really are, giving you permission to feel at home in your own skin. I agree with this concept wholeheartedly. If you are on a mission to build self-esteem and enhance your body image, I highly recommend this series as an excellent starting point. As for me, I’m not there yet. I’m just not ready to let it all hang out with my rump in the air and my boobs stretching toward the floor. For me, the few seconds I exposed myself to nobody but myself was an absolute moment of vulnerability. Whether it’s because I’m a victim of a puritanical society, the product of a repressed upbringing, or just an uptight, immature woman by nature, I admit that I have a long way to go before I will ever be able to do these routines in my underwear, let alone my birthday suit. Have any of you tried naked yoga? I’d love to hear about your experience. Oh, one last note: If you feel like you want a little shot of self-confidence before you do a naked yoga practice, check out the new “Look Better Naked” DVD staring Jessica Smith. No nudity, but it’s a great collection of workouts. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Build a lean, sexy body with this total body yoga workout from That’s Fit expert Mandy Ingber. Permalink | Email this | Comments
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THESE PRODUCTS ARE NOT SOLD IN STORES! *This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Allergic reaction and/or side effects may occur. Please consult your physician before trying or taking any new nutritional product or supplement. Read our nutritional facts here to identify the ingredients.
