From tutus to yoga mats

I remember my very first dance performance clearly: I was a bluebird in Snow White--the head bluebird, mind you. I came out from behind the wings, 15 fellow bluebirds following me, my arms flying and my legs dancing a zigzag pattern over to Snow White. I tapped her on the shoulder, did a couple points of the toe, and flew off stage with a flourish. It was brilliant; I knew I'd be a soloist for Joffrey one day. Dance was my life.

And, for a while, I stayed on that path. Recital after recital. I stuck myself in the thick of things. Sat front row when Baryshnikov and Twyla Tharp came to town. Went backstage and shook Baryshnikov's hand while the underbelly of the theater was abuzz with people shouting "Clear the ways!" Twyla had injured her ankle. Was it twisted? Broken? I needed someone to pinch me, as surely I was dreaming.

But, then, I traded my tutu for pompoms. After that came the high school years, during which the only movement I performed was the turning of my new steering wheel. I wasn't much better in college; braving the streets of Boston without my trusty Saab, I decided walking everywhere in the snow and rain was quite enough movement for me, thank you.

Alas, here I am in Asheville, and I have, of course, now taken to yoga. Admittedly though, after my first yoga class where I felt a bit intimidated by performing the tricky moves in public, you're more likely to catch me practicing in the privacy of my own home. Which is why I'm happy to include our feature "Yoga on the Go" on page 12 and only wished I would have known I could receive yoga's benefits while studying for an exam or waiting on the "up-to-code" elevator in my college dorm. Whether you're in line at the grocery or at your desk, Cindy Dollar has you covered on ways you can get that yoga practice in, sans mat.

Be sure to check out our feature on hooping on page eight. It's always helpful to make your fitness routine fun, and hooping definitely promises you an enjoyable, yet physically challenging time.

But, movement isn't just about what class you attend. After all, we're always moving, and it's our body language that can convey a message to others and even change the way we feel about ourselves. On page 14, Lavinia Plonka explains how we can pay attention to our body's movements, and maybe spice up an existing relationship or find ourselves a new love this Valentine's Day to boot.

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We've got lots of other information about ways to get moving this winter, too: from healing exercise with the Lebed Method (page 20) to herbs to improve your circulation and nourish your joints (page 22). And, all of our usual departments are here. But, we couldn't let January '08 come and go without adding a little something extra to our pages. So, be sure to check out our new department, Hands On, on page 54, for an eco-friendly home project that you can create yourself!

Maggie Cramer, Managing Editor

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COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning