Monthly Archives: January 2014

Research Proves It. Yoga works!

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All I can say is wow.  We’ve known yoga “works” for thousands of years. I have personally read many individual studies that demonstrate yoga’s benefits. I’ve even been involved in designing a study or two.  But a recent systematic review of yoga research since 1970 astounds even me.

Dr. Kim Innes of the University of Virginia performed a systematic review of seventy studies published in the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, and India since 1970. She was particularly interested in what these studies show about the effects of yoga on insulin resistance syndrome and heart disease. Of the seventy studies:

  • Eighteen focused on yoga’s effects on heart disease
  • Five investigated yoga’s ability to relieve stress
  • Fifty-one studied yoga’s effects on lipids, blood pressure, weight loss and blood pressure

Here’s what Dr. Innes found:

  • Individuals who practiced yoga for one month to one year lost between 1.5% and 13.6 % of their body weight. (This is equivalent to medically approved weight loss programs.)
  • In the fourteen studies that measured cholesterol, yoga participants’ total cholesterol was reduced by 5.8% to 25.2%. “Bad cholesterol” (LDL) was reduced by 12.8% to 26%, and triglycerides decreased by 22% to 28.5%
  • In twenty-seven studies that measured blood pressure, more than 75% of yoga participants showed decreases in blood pressure.
  • All of the fifty-one studies that examined insulin resistance (a major contributor to heart disease) showed significant improvements. There is also great news for individuals with type 2 diabetes.  All individuals with type 2 diabetes showed improvements in fasting glucose levels.

No matter which way you slice it, yoga is good for your heart.  And as those of us who practice regularly can attest, it’s great for your spirit, too!

Namaste

Tracy

Come visit Whole Life Yoga in Seattle, and check out Tracy Weber’s author page for information about the Downward Dog Mysteries series.  MURDER STRIKES A POSE is available for preorder now from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Whole Life Yoga, and other retailers!

Blog Tour Report: Final Week and a Great Big Thank You

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blogTourWeek3Today marks the final stop on the Murder Strikes a Pose book launch blog tour, and the last three stops were special.  Check them out, and please visit and support the people who have supported me!

Saturday, January 11: Rantin’ Ravin’ and Reading

This blog article answers the question many of you have been thinking: What kind of demented yoga teacher writes about murder?  Learn the main reasons I write the series and what I hope to accomplish through its pages.  Besides having fun, of course!

Wednesday, January 15: Killer Characters

Michael—the love interest in Murder Strikes a Pose—finally gets to tell his side of the story! Visit with Michael and learn why he thinks his new girlfriend might be crazy.

Monday, January 20: Inkspot

Inkspot is the blog created by the writers under my publisher, Midnight Ink.  Although Inkspot wasn’t an “official” stop on my tour, I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge eleven of the many mystery writers that have supported me on this journey.  Take a look, check out their work, and support them by buying their books.

That’s it for this week.  Next week I’ll be back to blogging about yoga with a book stop every month or so.  Coming up in the next three months are articles on Jungle Red Writers, Coffee with a Canine, The Page 69 Test, Dog Reads and Kings River Life Magazine.

And you’ll find me every Monday here at the Whole Life Yoga Blog.  Thursdays, I blog at Killer Hobbies.

Guess I’d better get typing!

Namaste

Tracy Weber

Come visit Whole Life Yoga in Seattle, and check out Tracy Weber’s author page for information about the Downward Dog Mysteries series.  MURDER STRIKES A POSE is available now at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Whole Life Yoga, and wherever books are sold.

Blog Tour Report: Week 2!

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Hi all!  Today is week two of what feels like my whirlwind blog tour.  Please check out the reviews, articles, and deep dark secrets of yours truly!  I promise you’ll learn things about me that my husband doesn’t even know!

Tuesday, January 7:  Melissa’s Mochas, Mysteries, and Meows

This blog stop was a biggie in so many ways.  An awesome review, lots of great comments, and the chance to share information that I haven’t blogged about anywhere else.  Three teasers:

  • First, a line from her review: “You know a book is fantastic when it’s your first read of the new year and you immediately know it’s going to be on your ‘Best Books of the Year’ list.”
  • Second, learn about my cranky cat Maggie (yes, I have a cat, too!) and a specific cat treat that will guarantee you win your cat’s love and affection forever.
  • Finally, learn about the human who inspired the plot of MURDER STRIKES A POSE. This one will surprise you!

Wednesday, January 8:  Beth Groundwater  and Dru’s Book Musing

On book launch day I visited two blogs.  The first, Beth Groundwater, hosted an interview with me.  My favorite question was about how I get to know my characters.  Check it out and you, too, can realize how truly schizophrenic I am.  (Hmm…maybe I shouldn’t advertise that…)

The second stop wasn’t really by me—it was by yoga sleuth Kate.  Dru asked her to pop by her blog and talk about a typical day.  Problem is, none of Kate’s days have been typical lately.  Will she relive the embarrassing Santa incident? Will she solve George’s murder? And even more importantly, what in the world is she going to do with crazy-dog Bella? Stop by and help her figure it out!

Thursday, January 9:  Chloe Gets a Clue

Chloe hosted me for author interview.  My favorite question in this interview was “What’s your writing superpower?”  That’s me, all right.  Super Tracy!  I also share the best yoga practices for writers and amateur sleuths.

Friday, January 10: Read Your Writes Reviews

I absolutely LOVED visiting with this reviewer.  She owns a rescue dog so she really “gets” Kate’s relationship with Bella.  Here’s a quote: “Without any question, I’m a dog lover.  I will admit that towards the end of the book I actually cried.  I mean SERIOUSLY, who in the world cries reading a cozy mystery?”  She did clarify later that she cried tears of happiness.  😉

That’s all for this week.  Two more official stops on this tour, then I’ll wrap it up and go back to yoga tips, articles, and techniques.  But please do stop by these blogs and support all of the bloggers who have supported me!

Come visit Whole Life Yoga in Seattle, and check out Tracy Weber’s author page for information about the Downward Dog Mysteries series.  MURDER STRIKES A POSE is available now at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Whole Life Yoga, and wherever books are sold.

Blog Tour Report Week 1!

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Available Now at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Booksellers Everywhere!

 Hi all!  I’m deeply immersed in my first ever blog tour for MURDER STRIKES A POSE.  Check out the progress so far, and please visit the blogs to support the people who are supporting me!

Thursday, January 2:  Thoughts in Progress

It was AWESOME to have the first stop on my first blog tour ever be such a kind and supportive one.  In my first stop, Thoughts in Progress wrote a review of Murder Strikes a Pose.    Here’s a snippet to get you interested, but please check out the full review at the website.

“MURDER STRIKES A POSE is an intriguing debut for a fascinating new series that will delight mystery readers. Combining calming techniques, dog-related frolics, mystery and laughs; Weber has crafted a story that is hard to put down.”

Friday, January 3:  Books-N-Kisses

My second stop was at this wonderful blog that highlights books in the mystery, romance, and sci-fi genres.  I wrote a guest article about my book cover and “that pose on the cover.”  Check it out and learn how to Down Dog it the Murder Strikes a Pose way!

Friday, January 3:  Shelley’s Bookcase

This isn’t an official stop on my book tour, but I’m so delighted with the review that I wanted to share it anyway.  Shelley Giusti, a fellow Sister’s in Crime member, reviewed Murder Strikes a Pose.  Here’s a teaser of what she had to say.  Please check out the full review at her website.

“Tracy Weber has a number one hit on her hands with her First in a New Series book! Her characters are strong and you will love them from the start. And Bella, the German shepherd will win your heart.”

Saturday, January 4: Readalot

The final stop this week was at Readalot, which hosted both a review of Murder Strikes a Pose and a giveaway.  There’s still time to enter the giveaway for a free autographed copy!  Here’s a teaser, but please stop by the blog to check out the full review

“Murder Strikes a Pose is entertaining. I laughed, I even shed a tear. Thought of doing yoga for a sec or two.”

I may not have completely won over a new yogi, but at least I got her to consider it!  😉

Sunday, January 5: AuntieEmWrites

I wrote a guest article for this spot, telling the story of how I first became a writer.  Here’s a teaser: it involves my favorite animal, a brutal workout, and a writer named Susan Conant.  I also reveal my husband’s favorite nickname for me—and no, it’s not sweetie-pie. Check it out and leave a comment in the next week. You may win an autographed copy of the book!

That’s all for this week, but lots more fun to come. See you next week as the virtual travel continues…

And, for those of you interested, here’s a little more about the book.  I hope you read and love it!

When George and Bella—a homeless alcoholic and his intimidating German shepherd—disturb the peace outside her studio, yoga instructor Kate Davidson’s Zen-like calm is stretched to the breaking point. Kate tries to get rid of them before Bella scares the yoga pants off her students. Instead, the three form an unlikely friendship.

One night Kate finds George’s body behind her studio. The police dismiss his murder as a drug-related street crime, but she knows George wasn’t a dealer. So Kate starts digging into George’s past while also looking for someone to adopt Bella before she’s sent to the big dog park in the sky. With the murderer nipping at her heels, Kate has to work fast or her next Corpse Pose may be for real.

Praise:

“Weber’s debut, which launches the Downward Dog series, should appeal to anyone who likes canines, yoga, and a determined sleuth. … Cozy fans will eagerly await the next installment.”–Publisher’s Weekly

“The delightful start of a promising new series. I couldn’t put it down!”—Waverly Fitzgerald, author of Dial C for Chihuahua

“Murder Strikes a Pose is a delightful debut novel . . . Namaste to Weber and her fresh, new heroine!”—Penny Warner, author of How to Dine on Killer Wine

Tracy Weber

Come visit Whole Life Yoga in Seattle, and check out Tracy Weber’s author page for information about the Downward Dog Mysteries series.  MURDER STRIKES A POSE is available now at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Whole Life Yoga, and wherever books are sold!