How Yoga Can Work for You Yoga can help you take care of yourself! It is different from other kinds of exercise in that it emphasizes your individual performance. In yoga you do not worry about how you look, you are concerned with how you feel. Yoga can help you discover the peace and quiet available within yourself, thus giving you inner health as well as physical strength.

Patterns of competition that are prevalent in our society are learned behaviors. In yoga we learn to let go of the We and to focus inward discovering who we are and what we want to be. Yoga helps us find a relaxed energy in our own minds and bodies.

In todays world we have learned to think of many things at the same time. Doing this wastes much of our energy. One of the main purposes of yoga is to quiet the mind so that the mental energy can be reserved and used to focus and concentrate on what is really important. The yoga poses and breathing slow you down, and your body and mind become more relaxed. The beliefs of yoga are different than other forms of exercise. Here are some principles to remember as you practice yoga:

1. Yoga should feel good. If it hurts then something is wrong. Dont force yourself through pain. You can adapt the pose or eliminate it all together. You are in charge of your own body. Always remember that you come first.

2. There is no stress and competition in yoga. Avoid competing with yourself and with other students. Draw your attention inward and feel yourself relaxing into the pose, never pushing.

3. During your yoga practice stay strong, relaxed and alert. Concentrate on the muscles you are using. You can work hard but without pushing yourself past your limits. We call this the comfort zone. Stay within your comfort zone. Remaining alert and focus on your breath as well as how your body is feeling.

4. Yoga poses are designed to help you focus your mind and to become more aware. Each pose is a gentle form of meditation in motion, or a form of gentle mental discipline. If your mind wonders, dont let it disturb you. Just accept it and gently bring it back to your breathing.

5. Within each person is a source of strength, clarity and peace. The highest purpose of yoga is to find this inner source. Yoga can help you become aware of something deeper and more important regardless of what name you give it, The Source, Spirit of Life, or God. What is important is that yoga can create inner growth. You can experience a greater sense of inner calm, happiness, and an increase in care and compassion for those around you.

Begin your journey now!

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Yoga for Your Life

Kripalu-trained Yogi Ms. Beth Rigby is the founder of Yoga Meets Dance. She has great information about the healing of yoga and the benefits of doing both yoga and dance. Testimony from her now instructors reveal that people are greatful for this balanced workout.

An instructor wrote that she taught a group of immigrants a Yoga Meets Dance class. She observed how one of her students broke into tears during the session. It was the stress that was released, along with the movements that caused an emotional release. The student thanked the instructor afterwards and to this day, continues taking the classes.

Others have testified that the class is fun and as Boulder Writer Ms. Alyce Barry stated, "it's less rule-bound".

During my GoddessLife Workouts and Vegas Stiletto Fitness by Roni sessions with women, I do get requests of yoga classes or at least incorporating movements into the sessions. To know that students are thirsting for yoga along with dance is rewarding.

In a couple of days, I will get to meet the talented Beth Rigby in Sedona, Arizona. The training that I will receive will benefit me and others who will eventually share in my experience of Yoga Meets Dance. Ms. Rigby gave me homework assignments, so I'm slowly getting ready for my training.

Last week, I told my students that I would soon be offering the class at the studio. They were thrilled! One woman told me that she is actually going to invite several others who are looking for a yoga/dance session.

Whatever it is that I do teach, I want to make sure my students are enjoying themselves and appreciating the space around them. The sessions are for all women (at times men), all sizes and shapes. The joy that they have when they are done, is my reward and my gold; therefore, I always feel wealthy.

It is my hopes that I can incorporate belly dance moves with yoga. Other moves I'll become familiar with during my training will also enhance the experience.

As Beth Rigby wrote in her poem The Dance, "the pain of attachment when the music of dance...stops serving to remind me to shift my attention inward". Such a powerful statement on how dance in fact heals the body and spirit.

For more information on Yoga Meets Dance, visit the website http://www.yogameetsdance.com. There if another session coming up in April 2014 for any of you who are interested in learning more.

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Yoga Meets Dance Training

Dear Dr. Z: I am hoping you will settle a dispute with my husband. I love yoga; he does not. I want my hubbie to attend yoga class because hes laughingly inflexible cant get his fingers anywhere near his toes. I say yoga will work, but he says he was born with short hamstrings, that its genetic and nothing will make a difference. Could he possibly be right? BTW, love the show.

Katy, from Jacksonville

Dear Katy: I love handling marital questions just call me Judge Zorba. Youre right, but he is, too. Were all born with a certain amount of flexibility, some more than others. Just look at those yoga instructors who can put their heels behind their neck.

But even if youre inflexible, you can still gain something by doing yoga or stretching exercises. So hes right about the birth thing, but hes wrong that he cant improve.

Sign him up and drag him along for a few yoga sessions. It just might improve your sex life, too.

Dear Doc: A while ago on your radio show you had a caller who had problems keeping her toes warm. I was diagnosed with chilblains as a child and my mom started putting zinc oxide on me. Messy but effective. Whats your take? By the way, love the show.

Chilly Chris

Dear Chilly: When the temperature is frosty and the humidity is high, the capillaries in your skin can suffer from chilblains. Toes are the most commonly affected, but your nose, ears and fingers are next. A hallmark of the problem is red, itchy, blistery skin.

The best way to prevent chilblains is to dress warmly all winter long. But your mom was right about applying zinc oxide. Aloe and Vaseline are great runners-up.

Dr. Zorba Paster is a family physician, university professor, author and broadcast journalist. He also hosts a radio program at 3 p.m. Saturdays on WBFO-FM 88.7.

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Even the inflexible can benefit from yoga