A Gentler Way to Keep Kilos Down

You may have thought yoga was strictly for New Age mystics. Well, think again. Us research shows 45- to 55-year-old who regularly practice it are better able to fight "middle-age spread, while those already overweight are more likely to slim down.

Interestingly, few people practice yoga vigorously enough to burn many kilo-joules doing it. The study speculates that yoga instead makes you more "body aware" and perhaps teaches you discipline that you can apply in other areas.

The study has these yoga tips:

1. Find an edge where you are challenged but not overwhelmed.

2. Pay more heed to the internal experience than outer performance.

3. Try to become more aware of even your smallest movements.

4. Note what you are saying to yourself as you do yoga - be sure to appreciate your own efforts.