Devotees of yoga are often divided into two schools -- those who practice for the physical benefit, and those who practice for the spiritual/mental aspect. While I like what yoga does for my body, I definitely fall more into the latter group. Yoga provides a peace of mind that just isn't matched by most other forms of exercise.

Element: Am and PM Yoga for Beginners is right up my alley. It focuses strongly on the mind while giving good instruction on how to move the body.

But, is it the best choice for someone new to yoga? I tried it out and am happy to report my findings!

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Raise your hand if a nap sounds pretty darn good right now. Yeah, I'm with you. But really, even though we all know it's good for our health, it just never happens, does it? Unless, of course, you happen to belong to a gym that offers a napping class (which, by the way, our own Fitz was calling for two years ago).

I'm serious -- some gyms truly are implementing a napping class. But it might not be quite what you think. If you've ever taken a yoga class, you're probably familiar with the intense relaxation that comes at the end of class when you reach Savasana, or Corpse Pose. And sadly, that pose usually only lasts for a few minutes.

More and more yoga classes are beginning to incorporate longer periods of this deep relaxation. At select Equinox fitness clubs, for example, members can take part in a 45-minute PowerNap+ class, which starts with light yoga and cardio and ends with 15 minutes during which they can relax or even sleep. In fact, the instructor covers members with a blanket and rubs lavender on their foreheads to encourage a little shut-eye. It's not yet available in all locations, but I wouldn't be surprised to see more of them pick the class up.

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In order to be a superb athlete, we all know you need to work your butt off and practice as much as possible. You might be surprised, though, to know that in order to become the best, you actually need to do the opposite -- relaxation is the key to breaking records, according to this article from the New York Times.

That's not to say you should take to the couch for a few years and expect to win a gold medal at the next Olympics. Nope, finding a balance between training as hard as you can while not stressing too much about your performance makes all the difference, according to experts. "It's the paradox of athletics," says Rick DeMont, coach at the University of Arizona and a former Olympian. "Tension is slow, tension is inefficient. You need to be relaxed."

Still, telling someone to relax is one thing. Actually being able to relax when hundreds, thousands, or millions of people are counting on your win is quite another. Your thoughts?

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There is no shortage of various styles on the market with new-fangled designs and supports. I don't own one, but I make it a habit to give hammocks a whirl whenever I have the opportunity. I still remember lounging in one with my husband on the Big Island of Hawaii under the moonlight at the Hilton Waikoloa Village resort after completing the Kona Marathon earlier that day in 2002.

But certainly one does not need to complete a marathon, visit an island or stay at a resort to make use of this lovely time-tested practice. I recently had the opportunity to make use of a hammock with my daughter in my brother-in-law's back yard in Northern California. It was the traditional woven style that allows gravity to force all of your muscles into relaxation. They are the best kind, I think. Since then, I've been scouting my yard for a good spot. I think I've found one in between two solid trees in the back. Just in time to enjoy the pleasant Fall temps and foliage.

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The other day, after a particularly stressful morning, I got into my car and suddenly took stock of myself. My heart was racing, I was breathing quickly, and my head was pounding. "That's it," I thought to myself, "You need to take five minutes and get yourself together. This isn't healthy."

Stress can be hard to avoid sometimes, but chronic stress can affect not only your mental and emotional health, but your physical health as well. CNN (via Parenting.com) has 13 ways to destress in five minutes or less. These are great little activities that you can do during a stolen moment to try to recenter yourself and remember what's important. My favorites include:

• Jump rope -- it releases those endorphins that make you feel so good.
• Say your ABCs backward to take your mind of what's stressing you out.
• Play some music; studies say it's a proven mood-booster.
• Get some sunlight to give yourself a serotonin boost.

Stress in unavoidable, but with these tips and the others you can turn your mood around before that stress pulls you under.

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A few weeks ago, I went to a movie by myself for the first time ever. I was feeling stressed out, overwhelmed, exhausted. I needed a few minutes of not being needed, and there was no babysitter in sight for a date night. So my husband took over and I took off. Thirty minutes into the film -- 27 Dresses at the $2 theater, if you're curious -- I realized that I was really enjoying myself.

As moms, we make time with our kids a priority, as we should. We also carve out couple time for our partners -- again, important. But far too often, there's little left over for ourselves ... and that's just not good for anyone.

CNN reminds us this Mother's Day that taking time for yourself is just as important as taking time for every other member in your family. When you don't have time to relax and unwind, you create stress on your emotional and physical health. So don't let this Mother's Day be the only day this year that you take time to rest and relax -- make it a regular occurrence. I'm already planning my next solo trip to the movies, but even a bubble bath or an hour alone to read a book in peace may be enough to help you refuel.

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Swimsuit season is fast approaching! It's just around the corner so now is the time to uncover that beautiful beach body you've been keeping under wraps all winter. Is yours hidden beneath an extra layer of winter flab? Have a great exercise plan in mind but having a hard time getting motivated because of stress, pain, anxiety or even depression? Relaxation is one of your body's best healing mechanisms, but it's not always easy to do. Natural techniques like breathing exercises, muscle relaxation, and guided imagery can help, plus you don't need any special equipment or training to reap the benefits.

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Yoga is well-known for the flexibility it promotes, but the meditative and relaxation qualities are also beneficial. If the twists and turns of traditional yoga methods don't appeal to you, you could try yoga nidra -- a style that focuses solely on the meditative side.

Also known as yogic sleep, yoga nidra involves lying very still and listening to meditative instructions. Fans of yoga nidra report better stress management and sounder sleep. So what exactly does it involve? Yoga nidra classes are usually 20-45 minutes long. Participants lie comfortably on their back and listen to a series of instructions including focusing on a goal, and focusing on awareness of each part of the body. Participants are also encouraged to think of a situation or emotion that is difficult and then think of its opposite.

While yoga nidra obviously doesn't have the physical benefits of more traditional yoga, the mind-body connection and stress-relieving aspects can be so beneficial for the body and spirit.

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By now, we should all be aware of the importance of breathing. After all, it's what keeps us alive, right? So why is it that when we work out our hardest, we sometimes forget to breathe? That's when our bodies need it the most--when we're pushing our limits and challenging ourselves to the max.

So how's your breathing during your workout? For me, it's the weights that make me forget my breath. I take a weight-lifting class a few times a week and funny though it sounds, I usually need to be reminded by the instructor to breathe--otherwise I'll hold my breath until I get a short break. No wonder I get dizzy sometimes!

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For me, turning up the soundtrack to Rent and singing (questionably well) along can just wipe all my stress away. Finding relaxation through music is a wonderful thing, but it's not the same as true music therapy. So what is music therapy exactly? Music therapy involves a trained therapist who uses music as a medium to promote physical, psychological, and social well-being.

Music therapy can be used to help reduce stress for hospital patients -- reducing pain and improving mood. It has helped Alzheimer's patients remain calm and improve memory. It can help new parents calm infants and reduce anxiety in kids of all ages. Even the Cancer Treatment Center of America keeps a library of music and holds music therapy sessions to help its patients.

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Once I've showered and eaten breakfast, morning really is my best time of day. But getting from bed to shower can be a chore, especially when I have to be up before the sun rises. My kids don't have a snooze button, though, so I'm always looking for ways to get my motor running in the mornings.

Here are five Pilates moves you can do while your still in bed in the morning. If your bed is too soft, you can move on to the floor and do them as well. These exercises will stretch your spine, work your legs and abdominals, and hopefully give you the boost of energy you need to put your feet on the floor and start your day.

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An important part of being successful in your working life is to take advantage of vacation time benefits to refresh and revive your mind, body, and spirit. But obviously getting sick on vacation and spending the majority of the time not relaxing but recovering and suffering instead does nothing for you but waste your money and your time and send you back to work feeling more exhausted than when you left.

Taking some simple steps towards staying healthy can be the difference between coming back from vacation feeling relaxed and refreshed and ready to hit the ground running or coming back tired, drained, and barely able to get motivated. Whether you're going on a cruise through the Caribbean or on a drive across the country Forbes has compiled some tips to help you stay healthy and make the most of your time away from your desk, your career, and all the other stresses of your everyday life.

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If you're already into the hustle and bustle of the holiday shopping season, you probably know that stress comes with the territory. With that, you need a strategy -- a strategy to relax.

Relaxation techniques are a must of the holiday season if you're up to it (and you should be), since they can make the holidays enjoyable instead of feeling like you're on pins and needles all the time.

Try these (thanks Diana!) if you're ready to spend that Saturday evening trying to get back to normal after an afternoon on your toes in all those stores:

• Invigorate muscles with a visit to a massage therapist.
• Meditate. Sit quietly or listen to soft music.
• Practice deep breathing.
• Imagine yourself in a relaxing place, such as in the mountains or on the beach.
• Stop stressful thoughts before they spin out of control.
• When you feel stress, your muscles tense up. Learn to relax your muscles to release stress.
• Practice yoga or tai chi.

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Anyone who's ever had insomnia that lasted more than a few days realizes the importance of sleep. I've been an insomniac before, and I swear, it's one of the worst feelings in the world. Everyday Health has some advice, though -- their Three 'R's of sleep can help you have a good night:

• Relaxation: Relaxation therapy can help your mind stop racing and your muscles relax. Talk to your doctor.
  
• Restricted Sleep therapy: Many insomniacs spend their nights sitting in bed, awake and frustrated. But planning to either get up earlier or go to bed later can help, and make sure not to lie in bed awake for too long -- do something productive instead of focusing on your lack of sleep.
  
• Reconditioning: Make sure you don't use your bed for anything but sleep or sex. That includes watching TV, doing work and reading. You body will eventually come to understand that the bed is for sleep only -- not staying awake.
  

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People of the new millennium are masters of multi-tasking, but this stressful, hectic, frantic lifestyle can take a toll on our health. A lack of sleep, a lack of physical activity and lack of proper, sit-down meals leaves us ... well ... lacking in health. So for the sake of your body, slow down every now and then.

The folks at eDiets concur -- it's important to do nothing every now and then. According to a study by Harvard University found that 60 to 90 percent of visits to the doctor are stress-related. Yikes! Relaxation can do wonders for you -- it helps calm your mind, and it helps your body recover from stress too.

So here's a challenge. For just a few hours a week -- an afternoon, an evening, you pick -- make a plan to do nothing ... and stick to it.

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