I’ve always wanted to try yoga, but the idea of walking into a studio filled with people who have perfect posture just gives me flashbacks to grade school, when I was the last one picked for any team in gym class. If I ever worked up the nerve, I’d take a yoga class with my friend Alice Lohin, who has been practicing yoga for 28 years and teaching for 16. Before becoming a yoga teacher, Alice was a ballerina in New York City; she tore her ACL (a ligament in the knee), and yoga is one of the ways she keeps her knee strong without having to undergo surgery. Here’s her advice for yoga newbies like me:

Where to go. Ask friends for a recommendation to a yoga studio near your home or work. The more convenient it is, the more likely you are to attend classes regularly. It takes time to reeducate your muscles and realign your bones, so find a place that’s easy to get to and that has yoga classes that suit your schedule.

How to find a teacher. Try several classes to find a yoga teacher you like. The tone of his or her voice should be soothing and pleasing. Similarly, pay attention to how much the instructor talks. Too much talking can make some people tense, while others need more direction and appreciate more explanation. The goal of a good teacher is to keep the weakest or newest person in the class safe. The teacher should be able to adjust your position when necessary but shouldn’t hurt you. Consider it a red flag if the instructor pulls or pushes too vigorously and causes pain.

How to dress. Wear clothes that don’t constrict. Lululemon makes stylish yoga-specific clothing, and the new Gap Body Sport Collection includes tanks, bra tops, and yoga bottoms that move with you. Or you can wear sweats and a T-shirt. A good teacher should be able to see your body through loose clothing.

Vdara Health & Beauty™ is a 18,000 square-foot, two-level spa, salon and fitness center located on levels 2 and 3 of the hotel. It is human-scaled with just 11 treatment rooms and lots of grounding natural elements. In addition to an outdoor pool, Vdara Hotel & Spa also provides a health club, a spa tub, a sauna, and a steam room.

Vdara Hotel & Spa is one of the smaller, quieter spas on the Las Vegas Strip, and that’s why I love it. The spa menu at Vdara is comprised of a variety of massages, body treatments and skin care services. Body treatments offered focus on holistic health and utilize high grade ingredients derived from herbs, flowers, fruits, vegetables and oils.

For reservations or questions please call (702) 590-2767

Do you need a break from work? When ever I feel stressed out – I always book a day at the Spa for some relaxation time! My favorite service to get at the Spa is a 90 minute deep tissue massage. After receiving one of these massages – I always feel like a NEW woman. What’s even better than a massage is getting a great DEAL for a massage. www.citydeals.com has great DEALS for lots of beauty services!! Some of the Spas on their website that I love are:

Solase Massage and Oxygen Bar

Mandalyn Academy

The Shirodhara Day Spa

Secret Beach Tanning Salon

Prestige Salon & Spa

Tranquility Spa & Salon

David Douglas Salon

Balanz Salon Spa

Cottage Retreat Day Spa

We only have one body – so treat your body right!! You deserve a “spa day”!!!!

Located oceanfront in the heart of Myrtle Beach SC, Anderson Ocean Club and Spa sets a new standard of luxury and distinction. Luxury has a new home here, at the oceanfront Anderson Ocean Club. The spa at this beautiful renovated hotel is full-service Awakening Spa!

Step onto the fourth floor of the Anderson Ocean Club for a day in pampered paradise. Leave the stress of every-day life behind once you step into Awakening Spa. This full-service day spa offers head-to-toe packages with customized services such as body wraps, facials, manicures and pedicures, deep-tissue massages, ion cleansings and more. Anderson’s hair salon is located on the third floor.

The Awakening Spa is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. For appointments, call 213-5370.

The signature Spa at Santaluz, designed by world-renowned consultant Cary Collier, is something completely new in the genre of private club spas.

Spanning the upper level of the Clubhouse, the Spa blends both Eastern and Western influences in a unique village concept where buildings and spaces unveil themselves layer by layer.

Members can indulge, reflect or revive in six distinctive private spa villas, each with its own garden courtyard. Each treatment area is different, some replete with fireplace, indoor-outdoor shower or relaxing lounge.

Treatments are available indoors or out. The services offered are an international menu of massages, facials, skin care treatments, baths, scrubs, and nutritional and educational programs.

The spa’s courtyard garden is also ideal for yoga, meditation and stretch classes.

The new Spa at Stein Eriksen Lodge opened its doors on December 4, 2009 with 20,000 square-feet of pampering and wellness. The intimate Norwegian spa has sixteen (16) treatment rooms with separate men’s and women’s relaxation rooms, each with their own sauna, steam room, hot and cold plunge. Two new unique features of the spa include two (2) Vichy wet treatment rooms and two (2) couple’s treatment rooms with private showers and tubs and a shared private relaxation suite with a fireplace. In addition, an expanded pedicure and manicure area, as well as new makeup and hair styling services.

A number of new treatments have been designed to combat the high altitude and dry climate, as well as the strain from recreational activities such as skiing, biking and hiking. The Great Salt Stone Therapy treatment utilizes salt candles and salt massage stones to remove toxins from the air and body through the production of negative ions. The Après Ski Muscle Strain Therapy and Soak is the perfect way to combat the fatigue from a full day on the slopes.

Reservations can be made by calling 435-645-6475.

Situated amongst majestic red rocks, activities at Sedona’s Mii amo luxury spa include swimming in a tranquil adults-only outdoor pool, hiking in historical Boynton Canyon, and recharging in the Crystal Grotto. Mii amo takes its name from the Native American word for Journey … reflecting the life-enhancing experience of achieving a transformation in physical health, emotional well-being and spiritual renewal. This beautiful spa is located in Sedona, Arizona.

Best Wishes

Canyon Ranch Spa is located in Tucson Arizona.

Ahhhh – relaxation time! I don’t know about you – but in order for me to function and be productive – I HAVE to visit a spa once a week. I need my “Me Time”. I work hard as I know you do – and we deserve to pamper ourselves Having balance in life makes us a happy and taking care of our body and minds is part of that balance …. In looking at the picture I posted – Tell me you wouldn’t want to spend at LEAST a day there ……