You, he and yo-chi: increase your flexibility and relieve stress by practicing this fusion of yoga and tai chi - fitness
Looking for a way to ease tension and bond with your honey? Then ask him to join you in yo-chi, a new blend of ancient Eastern art forms that will bring the two of you closer physically and mentally.
Yo-chi is the brainchild of Lawrence Biscontini of the Golden Door Spa in Puerto Rico. It combines the stretches and poses of yoga with the slow, meditative movement of tai chi. The result is a challenging workout that increases concentration, balance and relaxation. “When you’re practicing yo-chi, you’ll be exploring your partner’s flexibility, building your trust in him and becoming more intimate with each other,” explains Biscontini, who has taught yoga and tai chi for more than ten years.
According to research from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine at the National Institutes of Health, yoga can help reduce heart disease, which Blacks are 20 times more likely to suffer from than Whites. “High blood pressure is the silent killer of African-Americans,” explains Catherine Jackson, Ph.D, an exercise physiologist at California State University in Fresno. “And there’s no question that exercises like tai chi and yoga–with their controlled breathing and relaxing poses–do relieve stress, which, in turn, reduces your heart rate and blood pressure.”
Worried your guy won’t go for any moves that can’t be categorized as offense or defense? Tell him that Los Angeles Lakers head coach Phil Jackson uses yoga to help reduce tension and improve the concentration of his championship team. We’re sure he’ll agree that what’s good enough for Kobe and Shaq’s game should be good enough for him.
Biscontini chose the following moves to get you and your partner started. For all poses, inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth. Focus on muscle control as you stare into your mate’s eyes and mirror his moves. Loosen up your muscles first with a few warm-up stretches.
1. STANDING BACK BEND AND FORWARD BEND (yoga; see previous page) Stand back-to-back with your partner, spacing feet hip width apart. Keeping arms at your side, touch each other’s palms. As you breathe out (and he breathes in), lean forward into a table position as he leans into a standing back bend. Try to keep your back straight and together; don’t strain. Hold at least five seconds, working up to longer times. Now you bend backward as he bends forward. Repeat.
2. EMBRACING THE FULL WHITE MOON (tai chi) Stand facing your partner with feet shoulder width apart. Hold your arms as if you’re grabbing a huge ball in front of you with your right arm resting on top and your left arm underneath. This is your starting position. Next slowly switch arm positions–bringing your left arm on top and your right arm below–but simultaneously start slightly bending your knees. The final position for each pose is when your top hand is just under your nose and your bottom hand is near your navel. Continue for up to five minutes.
3. OPENING THE DOOR AND CLOSING THE DOOR (tai chi) Stand facing your partner with feet together. Keeping your shoulders down and elbows tucked in, allow your wrists to float up like a puppet as you take a step to the right. As you lower your wrists, palms facing your partner’s, step together with your left foot. Repeat to the left. Continue for up to five minutes.
by Lynya Floyd