<http://schema.org/articleBody>
"It's no coincidence that the celebs I seem to envy most are the ones who have adopted yoga as part of their healthy lifestyles (Brittany Snow, Reese Witherspoon, Gisele Bundchen, the list could go on...It's no coincidence that the celebs I seem to envy most are the ones who have adopted yoga as part of their healthy lifestyles (Brittany Snow, Reese Witherspoon, Gisele Bundchen, the list could go on and on). This simple but effective regimen improves both mental and physical health, so it's really no surprise why they all look (and surely feel!) so great. Take Jennifer Aniston, for example, who practices yoga regularly and clearly has the healthy mind and body to show for it. We talked to Jennifer's yoga instructor, Mandy Ingber, about the benefits of yoga, and why we should all work to incorporate it into our everyday routines:\n\nWhat inspired you to begin practicing yoga?  I began to practice yoga when I was a child. My father practiced, so at first I was doing it as a way to be close with him. Then I started waking up and practicing on my own in the early mornings before I went to school. I would practice right out of a book- Light On Yoga and Richard Hittleman were my bibles! I have always seen ercise and yoga as a touchstone in my life.\n\nHow can yoga be part of a healthy lifestyle? It can teach you mindfulness, meaning, self-observation. It makes a big difference to set an intention about a way that you want to treat your body because whatever you focus on expands. When I was a teenager, I was very self-critical and a perfectionist. I have learned through experience that beating myself up does not help me get into shape faster. Yoga is amazing because, while it is very active, it is also very calming. It can be very vigorous or gentle, and I use it to balance out where ever I need to.\n\nWhat are the benefits of practicing yoga? Yoga can calm your nervous system, reducing stress. This gives you more happiness due to becoming present. It can also increase your strength, balance and flexibility. Not only will it enhance all other ercise, but [yoga] in itself is a workout, so [it will help] your body fall into place. It allows you to develop a relationship with your body, which is the one relationship that lasts a lifetime. [Yoga] gives us emotional clarity, and the ability to surf through our emotions. And, of course, it tones and lengthens muscles. **\n\nWhat's the best way to begin practicing yoga if you've never tried it before?** I suggest finding ways to incorporate it into your current workout. In my Yogalosophy DVD, I created a hybrid that combines a yoga pose with a toning ercise. It gives you the long holds and then emphasizes the tone, which is a fun way to start. Since there are so many different styles of yoga and of teaching, try a different style or teacher weekly until you find one that you love. Or, try it with a girlfriend. Make sure to wear clothes that are comfortable and stretchy but also hug your body, so that you can see your form.\n\nHow does nutrition play into the healthy lifestyle of your clients? Anyone out there you see who is in great shape is probably a pretty healthy eater. My diet tips vary, according to the needs of the individual. Food is very personal, and we all have a variety of needs but here are some basic tips: hydrate! Drink lots of water (1/2 oz per pound that you weigh), eat a lot of veggies and leafy greens, replace processed food with whole grains and choose a way of eating that works for you. Do not starve yourself, it messes up your metabolism. It's great to eat consistently throughout the day, with 5 smaller meals. **\n\nWhat yoga moves do you recommend for teens?** It's great to start when you are a teen because if you are flexible, you will train your body to stay that way, as well as add strength. If you are inflexible, it probably has to do with how you are built, so don't worry about it; however, it's great to start now because you can actually increase your flexibility and it will lend itself to greater health. I suggest the basics. Warrior variations 1, 2 and 3 will strengthen, and improve focus and grace, especially as your body is shifting. Bridge pose and lunge will open the hip flexors from all the sitting you do at school. Try taking 10 long deep breaths. Inhale, then pause, exhale, then pause. This will calm nerves and social anxiety. I also like sun salutes because they are active, and with hormonal shifts and changes it's great to channel all of that energy into something that will change your body. Be very deliberate in your placement, and use the inhale on all of the expansive poses (like cobra) and an exhale on all of the contractions (like forward bend).\n\nAre there any moves that specifically ward off stress, fatigue, or other issues that teens may be facing in their everyday lives?  All forward bends relax the nervous system, so [I would suggest] seated forward bend or pigeon. You can also try legs up the wall in a modified inversion. Sometimes when we take a time out and take a break from schoolwork, we come back far more effectively than just pushing through. If you are fatigued, try a bridge pose, or my yogalosophy set, which includes lots of toning ercises between the poses. If you are feeling lethargic and unmotivated, this would be the \"Just Do It\" approach! The patience that you can develop by long hold is amazing. Teens actually have quite a lot coming at them all the time. Personally, that age was incredibly stressful for me. I was constantly comparing myself to my friends, and often feeling emotionally sensitive. My family was breaking apart, yet I didn't have a place to talk about it. I was very concerned with my looks and self conscious (almost fearful/uncomfortable) in my body. The ability to cultivate the patience to be with all of these feelings and the process of [coping with] uncertainty and change is a result of long hold in yoga.\n\nWhat is the best way for teens to incorporate yoga into their everyday lives? Make it a date with friends, a daily ritual or add it before or after other ercise you may be doing. Take 5 minutes in the morning to set a loving intention for your day. Sit with it and breathe. If you are ambitious, wake up before school [and practice it]. Get your yoga (losophy!) DVD, or your yoga book and just do it!\n\nAllie Vasilakis, Beauty and Health Intern_\n\n_Photo by: Sheryl Nields"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.teenvogue.com/story/qa-with-mandy-ingber>