The Yoga rules

By Diana Larson

Yes, yoga magazines demonstrate poses using skinny, astonishingly limber women. But if you have 40 or 50 or 70 extra pounds on you, don't be scared away from the best thing that could ever happen to your frame and your self-esteem.

Despite the magazines and the teachers who, after years of practice resemble sylphs, yoga doesn't care what you look like or what you weigh. In fact, it changes what you look like, and often what you weigh as well. How? Because it makes you acutely aware of your body in a way that makes you actually want to take care of it, sing to it, bring it presents and treat it right.

So yoga practice is not about being skinny or svelte or reedy. It's about leaving your ego at the door and moving your body in the present moment.

Yoga is about balance. Balance in eating, balance in drinking, balance in exercise, balance in purporting yourself. Yes, too fat is out of balance, as is too thin, but neither is a crime punishable by not being able to stretch.

Buy yoga clothes that fit. Don't be afraid of the clothes' form fitting stretchiness. Just get the right size. With regular practice yoga clothing will permit you to watch your body change in what can only be referred to as astonishing ways.

Another point is that your relative flexibility should not dissuade you, either. No one begins yoga able to handle all the postures. More quickly than you think, you will begin to extend your arms, legs, torso, and neck far beyond your expectations. Every time you perform a pose, you'll be closer to the ideal.

Your balance will improve greatly and the peace and satisfaction you feel at the end of each session puts you precisely in the mood for a deep meditation. In fact, look for classes that end with meditation. You won't ever want to get out and you can take that practice home with you as well.

Yoga is for men, too. Don't be kept away by the women or the way you look in a sweat suit. And do wear a sweat suit to begin, anyway, because leotards on guys only work on Baryshnikov.

There are many many places to take yoga classes, but like other workout sites, it had better be close to home or you might not want to go.

You can watch yoga on television or get a book, but the best way to learn you know that is in person. Signing up for a series of classes is also the best way to keep you on track, since you can pay in advance.

For more information about the benefits of yoga, try visiting http://yogatipshere.com, a yoga website where you can also find information about the branches of yoga