Love. Yoga.

I've always been more of the cardio and weights type. I never took a kick boxing or pilates class. I had a personal trainer for a long time and we always focused on circuit training. I fell into a fitness plateau and decided it was time for a change.

I had heard about this yoga thing, but I always thought it was some hippy BS and there was no way stretching could be a decent workout. I have never been so wrong. The first time I tried yoga I not only felt really out of shape, but muscles I didn't even know existed were sore. What I didn't realize was that yoga is very much a body-weight and cardio workout or "practice". Yes it stretches you out like no other, but you're also using your own body-weight and balance to hold yourself in some ridiculously hard positions. I quickly discovered my own body-weight was a lot heavier than any weights I was using in the gym--and the quick transitions from position to position kept my heart rate at a fat burning level.

My favorite way to do yoga is in the comfort of my own living room (granted my roommate isn't home watching me do downward dogs) and I aim for a couple practices a week. It's great on days I am sore from the gym and need a full body stretch--or days I just need to release tension, clear my mind, and focus on my breath. I use the free yoga videos on my TV most days, but some days I just create my own vinyasa (flow). I like a practice that switches back and forth from slow-burning positions to more heart thumping movement.

So far Jillian Michaels "Yoga Meltdown" has been my favorite DVD because she adds a lot of cardio to her practices.

If you haven't discovered yoga yet--get out there and try it. There are so many variations in yoga that no practice should ever be the same. When you continuously change your workouts, your muscle don't have time to adapt. It's a great way to avoid annoying plateaus and makes exercise fun.