How Yoga Can Recapture Lost Years

A new study conducted by Janice Kiecolt-Glaser, a health psychologist at the Ohio State University College of Medicine, estimates that childhood trauma can shorten your lifespan by as much as 7 to 15 years. Perhaps you've seen the research.

It was widely publicized after being covered by USA Today. The article details the impact of childhood trauma, including poverty, losing a parent, being abused, or witnessing parental marital strife. Such trauma doesn't just impact mental health, but physical health too.

How Yoga Helps Diminish The Effects Of Trauma, Even Forgotten Ones.

What's most striking about the link between physical ailments and childhood trauma is that some people may have physical ailments related to traumas that they have forgotten about. While this is still being explored by researchers, the theory seems sound in that if past traumas can damage development, then the effect exists even if the event is forgotten.

This is also one of the reasons yoga has been gaining popularity in the United States. It has been proven to help balance body chemistry, including glucose levels and red blood cells. By doing so, the body responds and reverses the effects of aging.

1. Cholesterol. Because yoga increases blood circulation and helps burn fat, it can actually help lower cholesterol levels, regardless of diet.

2. Lymphatic systems. Movement has been proven to improve lymphatic systems. These systems are responsible for increasing immunity and reducing the number of toxins in your body.

3. Sodium levels. Much like any exercise program, yoga helps reduce the level of sodium in your body, which is especially important given the abundance of sodium in our foods.

4. Triglycerides. Triglycerides, which are a form of fat in the blood, can increase heart disease risks and high blood pressure. Yoga has been proven to "significantly lower" levels of triglycerides.

5. Red blood cells. Yoga can also increase level of red blood cells in the body. These are the cells that carry oxygen through the blood. By increasing red blood cells, people feel more energetic and youthful.

“People think to do yoga you have to be flexible. But the flexibility is not in the body," Ricardo Sisco, a yoga instructor, recently told the New York Times. "It’s in the mind. That’s why anyone can do it.”

From Sisco's experience, even 70- and 80-somethings who practice yoga in chairs increase their physical health, frequently reporting that their bodies feel lighter, they feel more energetic, and feel less pain from any physical injuries. The new program has been considered a breakthrough, especially among people who do not have the benefit of physical activity.

The Stirling Club Hosts Three Yoga Sessions Weekly.

The Stirling Club offers three weekly yoga classes among its aerobics offerings. Classes are attended by a mix of locals with memberships, Turnberry Place residents, and Las Vegas visitors who want to maintain their physical fitness programs while vacationing. Guests considering membership can also make special arrangements by contacting Kathleen Gustafson at 702-784-4603.

Classes are typically held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays and at 5 p.m. on Tuesdays (hours are subject to change). There are seven other aerobic exercises held throughout the week too. Many members pair spa treatments with their physical fitness program to help maximize the results of a complete workout.

The Best Tennis In Las Vegas With Clay Courts

With the exception of retired great Andre Agassi making his home in Las Vegas, tennis isn't always top of mind in Nevada. Even after the 2007 Tennis Channel Open, which was the second to be held in Las Vegas, people tend to forget the city's ties to the sport.

Between 1972 and 1985, Las Vegas was home to the Alan King Tennis Classic. As noted, it was the home of the Tennis Channel Open, until the tournament was sold to the ATP. Even Kirk Kerkorian, who helped shape the city, is an avid tennis player.

At The Stirling Club, there are dozens more stories. Bob and Mike Bryan host a camp here. Marty Hennessy, who also owns VegasTennis.com and operates the Marty Hennessy Jr. Tennis Foundation, has been instrumental in developing summer camps and competitions. And, it's not uncommon to see the occasional celebrity or professional tennis player vying for a spot on the courts. The clay courts at The Stirling Club are much cooler in the summer!

Tennis Schedule At The Stirling Club

• Jr. Tennis Clinic, 3:30 p.m., Mondays ($15)
• Evening Adult Clinic, 6 p.m., Tuesdays ($15)
• Jr. Tennis Clinic, 3:30 p.m., Wednesdays ($15)
• Mixed Doubles/BBQ, 6 p.m., Fridays (1st and 3rd, $25)
• USTA League, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays (NA)
• Morning Adult Clinic, 8 a.m., Sundays ($12)

Marty Hennessy also hosts a summer camp for juniors. The camp includes tennis, swimming, games, awards banquets, and pizza parties. For more information, contact Marty at 702-493-3764.

Stirling Club members frequently look for partners and pairings too. Sometimes requests are made directly on The Stirling Club Facebook page.

While the Stirling Club is home to the finest courts in Las Vegas, there also some public options. The Amanda & Stacy Darling Memorial Tennis Center on the west side of Las Vegas is one of the best known with 23 outdoor lighted courts. Other parks with courts include: Lorenzi Park, Sunset Park, and Bob Baskin Park. For more courts, the Las Vegas Online Entertainment guide has an extensive listing.

Several properties also have courts, including Bally's Las Vegas, Flamingo Las Vegas, Las Vegas Hilton, Paris Las Vegas, and the Riviera. America Online Travel has a comprehensive listing. Most newer resorts do not have courts. Rates vary.

Memorial Day Weekend Means Pool Time In Las Vegas

Memorial Day weekend officially kicks off the summer in Las Vegas, typically drawing more people than any other weekend other than New Year's Eve. It also marks the official opening of The Stirling Club's outdoor lagoon-sized pool.

You might not find the pool listed among the most lavish or known for having the biggest parties. What you will find is a a much more private and discriminating experience with the pool's opulent mosaic tile, whirlpools, and and chaises.

Memorial Day Pool Party at The Stirling Club.

Beginning at noon on Sunday, May 30, The Pool Pavilion will be serving complimentary hotdogs, fresh lemonade, snow cones, and cotton candy. There will be a live DJ, and plenty of room to swim and socialize. The Pool Cafe will also be open.

Five More Pools To Explore In Las Vegas

Mandalay Bay. Frequently rated the number one pool in Las Vegas (and best in the U.S. in 2006 by TripAdvisor), Mandalay Bay delivers an 11-acre tropical lagoon with a sandy beach plus three pristine pools and a lazy river.

The expansive pool area also features nine private bungalows, 100 cabanas, and beachside lounges. It hosts several beach concerts and tends to be crowded. For Mandalay guests (ages 21+) without children, an additional admission charge will provide access to the Moorea Beach Club, which is a European-style pool area.

Wynn Las Vegas. It has taken the pool at Wynn Las Vegas some time to receive recognition, but online reviews have helped it gain more attention. It consists of two circular pools connected by a channel of water. Like Mandalay Bay, there is also a European-style pool area (behind the main pool).

Most of the attention has been lavished on its cabanas, which are well-constructed buildings with overhead fans, refrigerators, and personal servers. The more lavish VIP Tower Suite cabanas have WiFi, minibars, flat screen TVs, and access to quieter pools. Nearby, there has been some buzz centered on the new Encore Beach Club, which is a new pool complex for adults (ages 21+).

The Venetian. Centered inside The Venetian Gardens, there are two standard pools and one lounger pool typically described as being quieter and more relaxing than the most popular. What makes the pool stand out is its location behind zigs and zags of neatly trimmed hedges.

The Venetian is frequently given kudos for its cabanas, which include all amenities such as cordless house phones, flat screen televisions, DVD players, personal safes, refrigerators, and more. The Riva Restaurant by Wolfgang Puck is accessible poolside. The Venetian is also home TAO Beach, which serves as its adults-only (ages 21+) area with lively entertainment.

Caesars Palace. Since its expansion to add more pools for a total of eight in the 5-acre Garden of the Gods Pool Oasis, Caesars Palace has made great strides in providing guests with several different experiences. While areas around the Temple Pool are tiered, other pools are more secluded, more swim oriented, or more open for better sun. You can find one of the better write-ups here.

The Venus Pool Club is Caesars Palace's contribution to European-style (ages 21+) bathing. The club is known for lavish cabanas and vibrant entertainment. Unique services in The Venus Pool Club include frozen towels, Evian face spritzers, body massages, and Skyy Vodka-infused snow cones on the drinks menu.

MGM Grand. The MGM Grand frequently makes the top five of most pool lists, with its Grand Pool complex featuring five pools, including a river pool. The complex is also one of best landscaped and has three large whirlpools, tropical landscaping, fountains, and waterfalls. It typically has more lounge space than many others.

For a more vibrant party atmosphere and saltwater pools, Wet Republic is a hot spot favored by celebrities, especially among E! Entertainment Channel celebs. On Memorial Day weekend, pool parties will be full swing with dozens of entertainers that include Sharam, Freddie Le Grand, Dirty South and DJ Chuckie.

Almost all Las Vegas pools are reserved for hotel guests, with exception to scheduled entertainment. Likewise, The Stirling Club pool is open to members only. However, visitors may contact Kathleen Gustafson, executive director of membership, to arrange guest passes for membership consideration. She can be reached at 702-784-4603 or by email via The Stirling Club Web site.

Join Stirling Club Members At Red Rock Canyon

While most people don't give it a second thought, hiking remains one of the most underrated fitness activities available. According to the American Hiking Society, hiking can stem heart disease, decrease hypertension by dilating blood vessels, decrease cholesterol levels while increasing HDL (the good cholesterol), and slow the aging process.

It's also the perfect fitness activity for burning calories. The average person weighing 135 pounds will burn as much as 1,200 to 1,300 calories during a four-hour hike, compared to only 960 calories on an elliptical trainer for two hours. (Based on a calorie count estimator at Fitness Today.)

Even better, hiking doesn't feel like two hours on an elliptical trainer. In the great outdoors with friends, time passes quickly while taking in the natural beauty. And at The Stirling Club, hiking excursions are a great way to meet people.

The Stirling Club Hiking Excursions To Red Rock Canyon.

The Stirling Club will be organizing guided weekend hikes at Red Rock Canyon in May and June. For specific times, dates, and routes, visit The Stirling Club Spa desk. Once the hiking schedule is set, reservations will be accepted 48 hours in advance.

If you are unfamiliar with the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, it is a 197,000-acre area best known for the images taken at Calico Springs or the Keystone Thrust (where the Cambrian Bonanza King formation folds over the red Aztec sandstone). However, there are more than 18 designated trails located throughout a variety of canyon openings.

Tips For Red Rock Canyon Hikers.

• Hiking boots or reinforced shoes make hikes more comfortable.
• Ventilated and/or layered clothing is generally the best bet for spring.
• Protective visors, sunglasses, and/or hats are recommended.
• Even when temperatures remain calm, sunblock is advised.
• Sufficient bottled water makes the hike more comfortable.
• Walking staffs and gloves are optional, depending on personal preference.

The Red Rock Canyon Interpretive Association provides highlights of the most popular Red Rock trails in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management. Most hikes range from one hour to two hours, with easy to moderate classifications. Spotting wildlife is not uncommon, but the likelihood is dependent on which trails are included during the hike.

All of the tours organized by The Stirling Club are guided, which means there is an increased opportunity to see petroglyphs, creeks, and other natural wonders. For Ask about the spa treatment specials to enjoy immediately following a hike.

Stirling Advice On Sticking With Fitness

Eight weeks. That is how long the average person sticks with a fitness program.

"The most common reason is that many participants tend to burn themselves out instead of approaching their fitness program in moderation," explains Maria DiMarco, director of spa and fitness at The Stirling Club. "Then they find excuses, complaining about the time commitment, muscle soreness, fatigue, and the lack of immediate results."

DiMarco's timeline corresponds to expectation cycles. Typically, new fitness participants experience excitement and elation within the first few weeks of a new fitness program, driven by inflated expectations. Unfortunately, unfulfilled expectations crash after eight weeks, before realistic exceptions take hold and fitness becomes part of their routine.

To get beyond the dip, DiMarco recommends the aid of a fitness trainer or an experienced friend. Not only does partnering with someone encourage motivation, but trainers are usually experienced in setting long-term goals that help people build into a successful program.

"At The Stirling Club, members can schedule a fitness consultation that is inclusive of a complete health and fitness assessment," we use these assessments to create a program designed to help people reach specific goals based on their physical abilities."

While each fitness program is customized based on those parameters, there are some programs that DiMarco says are especially worthwhile for beginners. One of them is Pilates, a physical fitness system developed in the early 20th century by gymnast Joseph Pilates in Germany. Pilates focuses on the core postural muscles (abdominal, pelvic, and lower back), which help keep the body balanced and provide support for the spine.

"It is especially beneficial because it can be included in a program for any fitness level," DiMarco said. "While Pilates is often used as part of rehabilitation programs, it can improve posture, strength, and flexibility for anyone."

The system was initially designed as part of a rehabilitation program for the many returning veterans. However, Pilates exercises also teach awareness of breath and alignment, which strengthen the deep torso muscles, and the importance of proper breathing, isolating muscle groups, and emphasizing form over heavy lifting.

The Stirling Club offers individual private instruction, using specific equipment designed for Pilates. Members may also take advantage of complimentary group classes with approval from a private instructor. The Stirling Club also maintains regular yoga, body sculpting, abs, indoor cycling, and Zumba classes.

Bryan Brothers Swing Into Las Vegas For Tennis Camp

A few days ago, former Wimbledon doubles champs Bob and Mike Bryan released a new five track album, Let It Rip. The album comes complete with a new single, Autograph, featuring debut from British tennis star Andy Murray and Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic.

While most critics are advising Murray and Djokovic keep their day jobs, everyone is giving props to the Bryan Brothers for pulling it together. The release of the new album also comes just in time for Camp Bryan 3 on Dec. 12-13 in Las Vegas. The event, immediately following the Zeno/Canon Tennis Challenge in Florida, includes cardio tennis workout, clinics, round robin play, an amateur challenge, a pro-am tournament, and Bryan Brothers Concert.

"I play a lot of pro-am tournaments but Camp Bryan was the best of them all," noted Michael Scott, the winer of last year's Camp Bryan. "The Stirling Club was first class and the competition was high-level. I was fortunate to play with Bob Bryan and win first place. My prize tickets to the 2009 French Open!"

Camp Bryan III will be the last opportunity this year to work on tennis skills with the twins, who have dominated the doubles scene with over 54 tour titles since their first tournament at age six. In fact, at the writing of this post, the Bryan Brothers are currently competing in ATP World Tour Finals, hoping to win the rest of their matches en route to the title and finish the season atop the rankings much like they began the year.

They were ranked first after claiming their seventh Grand Slam title with a 2-6, 7-5, 6-0 win over Mahesh Bhupathi and Mark Knowles in the Australian Open final. They hope to be there again.

All funds raised at the camp benefit USTA-NV Junior and Multicultural Tennis Programs. All four courts at The Stirling Club are clay, which offers a better quality of play, easier movement, and a softer surface. (Among the top rated in the city.)

Stirling Club members may participate weekly clinics throughout December. Marty Hennessy, tennis director, is also organizing a Holidays Ladies Round Robin Doubles competition in December. For nonmembers hoping to learn more about tennis programs offered at The Stirling Club, contact Kathleen Gustafson, executive membership director.

The Stirling Club Adds A Zumba Exclusive

Beto Perez, former choreographer for Shakira and other high profile celebrities, may have never seen it coming, but Maria DiMarco, director of spa and fitness at The Stirling Club, did. Zumba was destined to become a fitness craze in North America with its infusion of Samba, Salsa, Hip Hop, Reggae, and Cumbia into a high energy workout.

“I was immediately inspired to add Zumba because it is a fun cardio workout that anyone can do,” said DiMarco. “Because I have an extensive background in both dance and fitness, I was driven by my passion to add this class as a permanent addition."

In fact, DiMarco was so taken by Zumba, she pursued her certification directly from Perez, who also serves as director of the national Zumba Master Trainer Team. She started studying Zumba more than a year ago and the distinction is what Stirling Club members have come to expect.

Unlike many gyms offering Zumba, DiMarco utilizes Beto Perez’s core philosophy. He believes in instructing participants through non-verbal clues, making the class more like ‘follow the leader'. DiMarco says this helps participants avoid the frustration of trying to verbally and visually comprehend the dance moves while performing them simultaneously.

“I have also adapted my class to fit the preference of Stirling Club members, creating new dances and allowing them to select their favorites,” said DiMarco. "This allows for each class to feel different, unique, and always fun!”

The class, which DiMarco says required long hours of additional instruction beyond the certification program, took several months to perfect. And even then, she says it is continuing to evolve. Every few weeks, DiMarco choreographs new dances for individuals who attend on a regular basis.

The infusion of new routines benefits visiting members as well. Every time they visit Las Vegas, they are likely to discover a new dance as part of this exclusive class that averages no more than ten members per session.

As one member described, The Stirling Club provides near personal instruction for a class that is often standing room only at other gyms. They also know that as a certified instructor, DiMarco must continually stay current through the variety of courses offered by the Zumba Academy.

The Stirling Club initially offered Zumba classes to gage member interest. After an overwhelming response, the class has been added to the fitness program schedule at 9 a.m. every Wednesday. It is exclusive to members, but guests may contact Kathleen Gustafson, executive director of membership, for a pre-membership trial and tour.