I want to focus on the mind-body connection, which includes "breath work". This is a great place to start because it is one of the main ingredients of yoga that makes it different from other forms of exercise or stretching. There are some types of yoga that are more about breath work than the physical poses. However we are going to get a two for one ,with breath work and stretching.

I know you already know all about stretching, however yoga is more than stretching because of it's mind body aspect. In yoga the mind and body are connected. Most people think of fitness just for our bodies, but as any athlete knows the mind can actually help your physical performance. Let's take running for example. My husband is a runner along with my daughter. When running a marathon alot of it is mental preparation. When they go in to the zone or when they get that "runners high" they are exceeding their physical abilities and that is when the mind and body connect. Controlling your breath keeps your body and mind operating maximum at efficency. Yoga gets you to focus and helps you to be an all around better athlete.

Your yoga practices always start with breath work to bring the mind and body together. Your yoga practice will then become a mindful workout and you will stay focused on what you are doing.

following your breath and meditation allows for you to think more clearly especially if you have a stressful day or week ahead of you. You need to find the time, and make the time. If only for a few minutes in the morning before your day begins and at the end of your day. Once you get into the routine and make time for it you will see a difference in how you are feeling and the way you are handling stressful situations.

Do your breath work and add some Sun Salutation poses to get your day going. Sun Salutation is a wonderful yoga pose that get the whole body moving and warmed up and stretched. Enjoy the quiet mindfulness and experience the peacefulness. Then relax into Dead Mans pose and listen to your body. Feel yourself totally relaxed. Take a few more deep breaths. Now you are ready to start your day.

So go ahead open your door and let the dogs and the kids back in and your husband also and pay attention to how you feel. You will be able to go through out your day feeling less tense and less stressed and that's a good thing. Yoga and breath work two for one.