Yoga DVD Recommendations

Yoga has been my main form of exercise since 2005, replacing swimming and the occasional weightlifting. I find its benefits to be numerous; it increases flexibility, improves muscle tone, relieves stress and burns calories. Because yoga involves a series of stretches, it complements other forms of exercise well. Instructor-led classes are the best; however, you can get a great workout at home too. After going through several yoga DVDs, including those from Rodney Yee and Mark Darby, I settled on Baron Baptiste's Baptiste: Power Vinyasa Yoga, levels one and two. The level two workout has served as my main yoga practice for the last two years.

What is Power/Vinyasa Yoga?

As Baron Baptiste says in the video, "vinyasa means flow." The terms power yoga and vinyasa yoga are often used interchangeably. Basically, vinyasa yoga flows from one pose to another with emphasis on breathing. Instructors will often come up with their own versions of vinyasa or power yoga, but most are based on the Ashtanga style. The flow is what makes the workout rigorous and will satisfy those who like to break a sweat.

What Has Yoga Done for Me?

During my weightlifting years, I pretty much ignored any conditioning for my core muscles. After graduating from college, I began experiences muscle spasms in my back that caused me great pain. Yoga has almost completely eliminated my muscles spasms; I believe the last one I had occurred in 2008. It has also allowed me to maintain a slender physique. And on a stressful day, it helps me focus on the present and forget about my troubles for a while. I just plain feel better. Yoga has changed my life.

Goodbye Pears Soap, Hello Clearly Natural

Since Unilever changed the formula of Pears Soap, I've been searching for a replacement glycerin soap available in the United States. I'm happy to report that I've settled on Clearly Natural Essentials, manufactured by Beaumont Products, Inc. in Kennesaw, Georgia. They offer a variety of glycerin soap bars, each with a different fragrance (one is unscented), color or distinguishing feature, available directly from their website or available from several online retailers. Based on its popularity and positive reviews, I chose the Vitamin E variety of the soap.

 Like Pears, the Clearly Natural - Vitamin E bar is translucent and amber in color. The scent is mildly spicy and pleasant. It lathers up well and doesn't irritate my skin. After almost two weeks of use in the shower, my wife and I are still on our first bar. I look forward to trying their other varieties. Clearly Natural soap is SPA LEONARD APPROVED!

For more information, check out www.clearlynaturalsoaps.com.