Yoga increases body awareness, the body/mind connection. We live in such a cerebral world, yoga can slow you down and get you in touch with your body?s needs.

It?s a self-study of the mind, of what?s going on in your head by sitting and watching and being the observer of all that?s going on in your body. ?My hip hurts.? ?I have an itch. If I don?t scratch it, what happens?? Well, it usually goes away if you train yourself not to automatically react. Yoga teaches us that everything changes.

The postures are unfamiliar, we have to pay attention and focus. It?s not like being on a treadmill at the gym. We all know how to walk. Yoga is so foreign that you need to concentrate. The postures kind of sneak meditation in through the back door.

We realize we need more rest, or activity, or that our diet is not as good as it could be. You may start to lose weight not just from burning calories, but from becoming more aware of your body?s needs.