| Hi Jennifer. I've been doing yoga for several years. Living out in the boonies, tapes and books were my only options until last year when the local rec cen offered classes....taught by a woman who had learned from tapes herself. I started with Hatha, then started adding power yoga. Practicing either will help you strengthen, releive stress and improve your posture. But for me, I had to add the power yoga in order to see any weight loss. You may not need to. How do I feel afterwards? Both relaxed and energized. Just good. The benifits are immediate, which makes it easy to get off your butt then next day and do it again. The long term benifits are also worth while. Balance, flexability, coordination and better reflexes to go along with those long, lean muscles. Last summer at a family reunion I challenged all my little neices and nephews (ages 3-16) to a 'stand on one foot' contest. I am 39. They hopped on one foot, had their arms flying all over the place and droppped out one by one as I stood perfectly still, my left foot raised up and pressed into my right thigh. They were flabbergasted, as were my siblings. I was smug. I also offered $5 to any of them who could "sit like me". But not one of those strong yung'uns could get themselves into a full lotus position. That was fun, but there are every-day benifits that are more important. Time was, I could not back out of my long driveway with my seat belt on. I had to move up off of one buttock to turn enough to see that far behind me. Now it is not a problem. Ever slip on ice, jerking your body in a failed attempt to stay on your feet? Your backside and pride may hurt from the landing, but that jerking reation can wreak havok on your back and neck. Better balance and reflexes help you stay on your feet and strong muscles protect you from injury. It's also a good idea to learn how to fall properly. Something to keep in mind: Those people in the tapes, they have been doing this stuff for years. Decades maybe. Don't force yourself into any of the poses. They will get easier. It is not important that you can put you head on your knee, it is important that you feel the stretch or the contraction where you are supposed to and keep your breathing slow and even. I have quite a few tapes and have barrowed several from the Family Video (they have free 'public service' tapes to loan out including many excersize videos) Some instructors are really hung up on keeping your back perfectly straight during the poses. Others encourage it, but also ask you to round your back to stretch it at certain points in the tape. Still others are not overly concerned about it, telling you to work with your body and if your body says round the back, round it. Decide for yourself. No two yogis are alike. Right now I am doing Pilates, with yoga as a warm up and cool down. I am really liking that becuase it really is working my ab and back muscles more than yoga. Although yoga does emphisize these areas, HOW you hold those muscle is different in Pilates and IMO, works better for that area. Hope this helps. Kay. | 
