Every day each person has a choice on how to shape the body through daily habit patterns. The mind creates the visual images and the body executes and maintains health and wellness. The first step in building a stronger body is to join a yoga class with other like minds focused on positive health goals.

You can begin a yoga practice on your own, just find a tranquil location and roll out your mat. As you close your eyes, slowly sit down with crossed legs in the center of the mat, keeping the back straight with hands resting on the thighs. Maintain a conscious awareness in silence as you deeply inhale and exhale through the nose.

After a few minutes, slowly move into the first yoga posture. Begin by lying down on the stomach with legs stretched apart and arms extended long by each side. Slowly move into the “Extended Bow Pose Posture” by taking hold of the ankles on each leg and gently pull them towards the buttocks. The knees will be wide and bent, as you gradually curve the back at the waist and lift the body forward into a beautiful curve. This pose will take repeated practice, so do not give up, just lower the legs to the ground and repeat. Each time this move will become easier, as the back becomes more limber and the legs loosened. This repetition is why we call yoga a practice, allowing time for the body to conform to our visualizations.

In this posture, the curvature of the spine improves with deep breathing with the flow of oxygenated blood circulating through the body, eliminating the build-up of toxins accumulating in the bloodstream. Deep breathing is a key factor in maintaining a healthy body along with a nutritional diet and exercise. A healthy blood flow of digested protein/oxygen fuels the body and eliminates toxins when you practice this posture and the spine lengthens. Be sure to keep your upper arms aligned next to the ears when you curl backwards and feel the front/back of your spine lengthening.

After practicing the form of this pose, you can return to your knees, hip distance apart. round the back, allowing blood to flow upwards. Place your hands on the back of the hips and slowly begin to lift the breastbone and reach the arms overhead to the heels into a modified back bend or Bow Pose. These two poses gently improve core flexibility.

A positive thought process when practicing yoga is the beginning of change. The brain is malleable and constantly adjusting, allowing us to learn and adapt. A fixed mindset may limit the body’s ability to adapt to new postures. A yoga philosophy is a practice to adapt and confront limitations. Give you mind and body a “breakthrough “in thinking and interpretive action. Life is an adventure of new learning experience that expands awareness and growth.

The Yoga practioners pictured are from Shield Wellness Center, Sebring, 4597 Casablanca Circle: Joyce Shafer, Ineta Witmill, Lori Melton, Elizabeth …

Join the Yoga classes every Tuesday and Friday, 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. and Thursday, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Mats and props are provided. The classes are FREE, fun and a great yoga practice!