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YOGA'S BACK
A decade ago Americans donned spandex and aerobicized their way to fitness. They went for the burn,
and now many of them have been burned out. So in the 1990's, look for a kinder kind of fitness.
Yoga is back in vogue, although it is a far cry from the pretzel-shaped serenity of the 1970's. Today's
yoga is meant to reduce stress while improving strength and flexibility.
Fitness instructors have been incorporating relaxation techniques into exercise classes over the years.
Now studios across the country offer modified yoga classes.
Noll Daniel of new York's Crunch Fitness has taught his Urban Yoga Workout class in the city's
exercise studios for four years. He recently held corporate classes for HBO and American Express employees.
Daniel has revamped traditional yoga techniques and added sit-ups and push-ups to burn calories. He lights
candles and places flowers around the studio for atmosphere. "New Yorkers aren't very patient," he says, "so you have to pick
up the pace for them, while helping them to get more in touch with themselves."
Eight months ago, L.A.'s Mezzeplex replaced its traditional yoga class with Power Yoga.
"The only surreal thing about this class is the 40 people who sweat so hard they fog up all the mirrors," says aerobics director
Michael Carson. Power Yoga has been so successful that Mezzeplex is adding classes with other Eastern disciplines.
Low-stress mind and body exercise is as good for studios as it is for fitness buffs. Says Crunch Fitness
president Doug Levine, "Urban yoga's growth rate has been huge because it attracts people who wouldn't even think
of taking a fitness class, as well as the hard-core exercisers."
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