Rishikesh - the gateway to the Himalayas (Photo by Rafi B.) You don't have to look far to try a yoga regimen of limber bliss. It seems like everybody is up for challenging their bodies with yoga in trendy gym classes, and yoga competitions are all the rage. If you're already an avid practitioner, maybe you should head over to Rishikesh. Nestled in the foothills of the Indian Himalayas along the Ganges River, this spiritual hub lures tourists from all over the world -- including worldly celebrities like The Beatles and Kate Winslet. Travelers gather at the local classic yoga centers, or ashrams, to align their chakras and to perfect asanas like nobody's business. The town's hotspot Parmath Niketan hosts its annual International Yoga Festival next month -- where yogis meet to demonstrate their traditions. Whether you tire of those typical vacation tours or struggle with stomach implosions, tongue tricks, and tough poses, you might find the ultimate experience at Rishikesh. Suggested Sites... About.com: Index of Yoga Poses - all the asanas with instructions, photos, and Sanskrit names. Indiayogi: Rishikesh - get the 411 about the holy haven. Yoga Expo: Glossary of Terms - impress your yoga teacher with your Sanskrit vocabulary. Himalayan Institute: Article Archive - writings on how to live joyfully through yoga. MichNews.com: Don't Add Yoga to Christian Prayers - J. Grant Swank, Jr., is one dude who definitely doesn't dig yoga.

Directory categories: Yoga, Yoga Poses, Yoga Traditions, Yoga Organizations, India Tour Operators

Archived under: Fitness, India, Regional, Religion, Travel, Yoga Practices

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Polar bear swimmers take a dip in Barrie, Canada (Photo by Kevin Lamb) While you're still picking confetti out of your hair from the New Year's Eve bash, hardy winter bathers all over the world will don swimsuits for a refreshing dip in frigid waters. Why would they do that, you ask. Well, many swear by the health benefits of cold bathing. The founder of the venerable Coney Island Polar Bear Club and "Father of Physical Culture," Bernarr Macfadden promoted the cold plunge as an endurance builder. Some people just find it invigorating and fun. The Vancouver Polar Bear Swim Club started with 10 brave souls jumping into English Bay. The club now boasts thousands of members who join the swim, even with water temperatures as low as 38 degrees. In Finland, winter-dipping, called Avantouinti or ice-hole swimming, is practically a lifestyle. If you're game to take the plunge, make sure you take the necessary precautions. Most clubs recommend checking with your doctor first and insist on a signed waiver before you participate. But think of the sense of accomplishment you'll have when you swim off the winter doldrums. The rest of the year should be a cakewalk! Suggested Sites... Bernarr Macfadden - Find out about the bodybuilder, health advocate, nutritionist, and author who founded the Coney Island Polar Bear Club in 1903. Winter Swimming World Championships - for the over-achievers in the Polar Bear Club set. Brrring it on! Icing Down with Arctic Adventures - try some "avanto" adventures of your own with a little help from Frommer's.

Directory categories: Winter Swimming, Polar Bear Clubs, Winter Sports, Swimming and Diving, Fitness

Archived under: Fitness, Health, Outdoors, Sports, Swimming, Winter

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2005 World's Strongest Man Mariusz Pudzianowski (Photo by Mike) It's nice to have a strong man around the house, especially if you need to move a fridge or two. If you're on the hunt for some bulging biceps, scurry over to Sanya, China, for the final days of the 2006 World's Strongest Man competition. For nearly 20 years the buffest boys around the world have been gathering to deadlift cars, drag trucks, and pull planes. This year, guys with hefty names like Mariusz Pudzianowski, Magnus Samuelsson, and Elbrus Nigmatulin are huffing and puffing their way to Atlas-like glory. Over the past few years, Eastern Europeans have wrested the title from Scandinavians, who dominated the event throughout the '90s. Pudzianowski, a Pole known in strongman circles as the "Dominator," has won the competition three times in the past five years. Will he win a fourth title or will American Jesse Marunde improve on his second place finish in 2005 and hoist the trophy? We feel weak in the knees just thinking about it. Suggested Sites... The World's Strongest Man - competition highlights and photos of big guys lifting heavy stuff. American Strongman Corporation - strong dudes from the good ol' U.S. of A. Mariusz Pudzianowski - apparently no one can pull a plane farther than Mariusz. Strongman: The Movie - a look at the life of strongman Hugo Girard.

Directory categories: Strongman, Bodybuilding, Fitness

Archived under: Events, Exercise, Fitness, Health, Weird Stuff

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Dean Karnazes (From Runner's World Magazine) People do the craziest things when they set their mind to it. There's Christopher Swain, who swam the entire length of the Columbia River in 2003 to promote clean water. Liz Clark sails around the world and, along the way, surfs everywhere she can. If you look up, you might see Ed Viesturs, who's climbed all 14 of the world's 8,000-meter peaks. And then there is Dean Karnazes, a guy who really likes to run. He may appear to be the typical family man, but when the gang goes on a weekend holiday his wife does the driving while he runs. Through his countless running feats the 43-year-old Karnazes has become known as the Ultramarathon Man and one of the top endurance athletes in the world. Apparently it's not enough to run through Death Valley in searing heat or across the frigid Arctic. That's for amateurs. Beginning with yesterday's Lewis & Clark Marathon in St. Charles, Missouri, and ending 50 days later on November 5 with the New York City Marathon, Karnazes will attempt to run 50 marathons in 50 states. We wish Dean well and will keep an eye on his progress from the safety of our desks. Suggested Sites... Endurance 50 - follow Dean as he runs 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days. We'd be surprised if he finds time to keep up his blog. Ultramarathon Man - profile of Dean Karnazes from SF Weekly. To the Limit - NPR interview with Karnazes. Marathon Guide - come on. If Dean can do 50 marathons, surely you can do one. Desperate Housewife Stalks Male Supermodel in Sports Death March - a little friendly competition never hurt anyone, but fellow ultrarunner Pam Reed doesn't seem to attract much notice.

Directory categories: Dean Karnazes, Ultrarunning, Marathons, Running Injuries

Archived under: Fitness, Marathons, Running, Sports

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(from Kalarippayat.com) Legend says that over 5,000 years ago, the war dance of Lord Shiva evolved into Kalaripayattu, a system of fighting and healing practices. Stories describe Zen Buddhist master Bodhidharma bringing Kalaripayattu breathing and physical exercises to 6th century Chinese monks. Over the years, what they learned became shaolin boxing, which led to many other martial art forms in Asia, including kung fu, t'ai chi, and karate. Practitioners of Kalaripayattu claim that it's one of the most comprehensive forms in the world, with 12 years of prescribed training, covering techniques of hand combat, weaponry, massage, pressure point and healing treatments, Indian Vedic traditions, and yoga. Despite its divine origins, mortals can engage in the ancient practice, though you may need to travel to Kerala to learn how. Suggested Sites... Kalaripayattu.org - highlights the fundamental animal movements and Kalari treatment of the martial art from Kerala. KalariWorld: FAQ - answers common questions about the history and misconceptions of the Kalari system of fighting. Kalarippayat.com: Training - discover unique Indian exercises, weaponry, and treatments that emphasize body control, physical agility, and self-defense. Rediff.com: Jackie Chan and the Art of Kalaripayattu - news article reports that Kalaripayattu will be featured prominently in an upcoming Jackie Chan spectacle.

Directory categories: Kalaripayattu, Bodhidharma, Martial Arts

Archived under: Fitness, History, Martial Arts, Regional, Religion, Spirituality

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