I am about as green as a newbie can get. I have completed only my fourth hatha hot yoga class and I have been so pleasantly surprised. So far I really enjoy yoga. When I am in that dimly lit, warm, moist room hearing my instructors calm and encouraging cadence it''s like a mental escape for me, and I wasn''t even aware I needed one. I find myself focussing so completely that for 90 mins I think of nothing else and I find that so freeing. When I leave, I not only feel physically great from all the sweating etc, but mentally I feel as thought a weigh (i.e. stress) has been lifted from my shoulders. I was not expecting this and am so thrilled to be experiencing this. No exercise I have ever done (mostly running and aerobics) has ever given me this feeling. I am thrilled and only wish I had tried this earlier. I have issues with depression and have a very high stress job and I truly do think that yoga could be the answer to help me achieve some sort of mental balance. So glad to have found this site, I look forward to reading all your posts and learning from you!

Maggiemay