Most people will tell you that they have too much stress in their lives. Working parents juggling their children’s schedules, holding demanding jobs and the pace of a lifestyle driven by technology all contribute to the feeling that we just don’t have time to relax. Taking a yoga class can de-stress you when you’re in the class, and teach you valuable techniques for reclaiming your peace of mind off the yoga mat, too.

So what is yoga? The word yoga means “union.” It’s really all about bringing yourself into balance. In a beginner yoga class you will stretch your muscles using gentle warm-up exercises and postures. Eventually these stretches will strengthen weak muscles and increase your flexibility, but in the beginning it’s all about staying within the limits of your own body. That is why yoga can be practiced by anyone, whatever their level of physical fitness.

In yoga class you also will learn to coordinate breath with movement. Learning to breathe deeply helps get more oxygen to your muscles and organs, which automatically makes them healthier. With regular practice, yoga will help all of the body’s systems to run more efficiently; circulation, digestion, the immune system are all improved, which is why people have more vitality, more energy, more zip.

To really notice the benefits of yoga, try practicing every other day. Take a class once a week and then practice at home what you can remember from the class. Even if you only practice for 10 minutes, you will notice the difference. Try practicing your deep breathing when you’re stopped in traffic at a red light. It’s a great way to relax your mind and get a free abdominal massage.

Don’t be put off by those pictures of pretzel-people on the yoga magazine covers. That’s not what yoga is about. In India yoga is widely practiced by the average person. It begins with simple body alignment, breath and relaxation. If you wish, you can take your practice to deeper levels of meditation and self-study. Or not. In any case, with regular practice, you’re bound to experience a greater degree of mental clarity, stress-relief and peace of mind.

Sandy Cyrus is a certified Kripalu Yoga Teacher at Full Circle Yoga, 78 Stillwater Ave., Orono. For information, e-mail fullcircleyoga@yahoo.com, or call 866-4103.