I began taking yoga seven years ago upon the advice of a physical therapist. I had sever pain and tension in my neck and shoulders because of TMJ and clenching my teeth. My reaction to stress was to clench my teeth - the physical therapist had given up trying to relax my muscles and realized I needed to relax myself, then finally recommended yoga.

n addition to learning the discipline of relaxation through the breath, I have also seen other benefits. They include:

• weight stabilization

• increased mobility

• sleeping better

• most important of all - decreasing anxiety

Whenever I feel anxious, I start the yoga breathing, focus on my unviersal energy and goodness and relax into the peaceful energy around me.