All the celebs are at it, so are some of your mates, but you....well, you just don't know quite where to start.

Of course we're talking about yoga, the ancient spiritual practice that's taking over gyms around the UK.

Yoga has become increasingly popular over the past decade - there are believed to be between 300,000 to 460,000 yogis currently practicing in the UK alone, and with good reason.

The health benefits linked to yoga are plentiful - not only will yoga strengthen the body physically, it will also calm the mind helping to improve your overall health and wellbeing.

Is It Possible To Do 90 Minutes Of Yoga, At 40C, Everyday, For 30 Days?

How Yoga Can Give You Peace Of Mind And The Body Of A Twenty-Year-Old

Yoga is thought to ease the pain in stiff joints of arthritis sufferers, reduce anxiety and depression in expectant mothers and even give women undergoing radiotherapy for breast cancer a much better quality of life by helping them to better control of stress hormones.

And yoga isn't all about slow breathing and saying 'ummmm' these days no no, there are many different types of yoga class available today, from Hot Yoga, Pregnancy Yoga, Voga and Bikram so you're sure to find something to suit you.

There really doesn't seem any reason not to take up yoga - but going to your first class can be a little intimidating.

With this in mind we've teamed up with Yogaat.com to give novice yogis some poses to practice at home and get you feeling confident if you're considering trying a class for the first time.

Go here to read the rest:
Yoga For Beginners: The Poses You Need To Get Started

CINCINNATI -- A woman who police say posed as a yoga student to steal wallets is slated to go before a judge Friday.

Lashonda Miller faces charges from cases in Cincinnati, Norwood and Blue Ash.

Investigators said Miller pretended to be a yoga student and then stole purses from other students.

Police arrested her at Modo Studio in Crescent Springs, Ky. A dozen other yoga studios also came forward.

Miller will have hearings in two different courtrooms Friday on several charges.

In Hamilton County, she faces charges including burglary, theft and misuse of a credit card. Her bond was set earlier at $30,000.

Her second hearing is a non-jury trial on charges of misuse of a credit card.

Owners of several yoga studios we talked to say they've taken new security measures to prevent a similar crime from happening.

See the article here:
Yoga studio thefts suspect due in court

Choir concert tonight

The Yosemite High School choral department, under the direction of Christel Biasell, will present its End of Year Choir concert at 7:30 p.m. tonight (Thursday), at Sierra Vista Presbyterian Church, 39696 Highway 41.

Oakhurst Area Chamber of Commerce will hold an open house at the Elks Lodge in Oakhurst, 5-7 p.m., Thursday, May 15, at the Oakhurst Elks Lodge. This event is open to the public, and offers music, hors d'oeuvres and a no host bar.

Due to the Memorial Day weekend, the Sierra Star will be closed on Monday, May 26. Because of this, there are early deadlines as follows for the May 29 edition. Display and classified advertising, 5 p.m., Thursday, May 22 editorial and calendar submission, 5 p.m., Friday, May 23.

The Mountain Bear Fan Club will collect new and used bears and other stuffed animals 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Saturday, May 17, at the Bear Park, 49196 Crane Valley Road (426) in Oakhurst next to Mountain Comforts).

All donated items will be used in the club's gifting program.

Details: President Beverly Gordon, (559) 683-7929.

Oakhurst and Coarsegold Firefighters Cal Fire Local 2881 will hold Fill-the-Boot to raise funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Central California Chapter.

Firefighters will stand at the intersections of highways 41 and 49 in Oakhurst and Highway 41 and Road 415 in Coarsegold from 8 a.m. to noon, Saturday, May 24.

With help from the Oakhurst, Coarsegold, Bass Lake and Ahwahnee firefighters, MDA can provide the following services to local families free-of-charge: monthly support groups, medical clinics, loan and repair medical equipment, and a 100% wheelchair accessible youth summer camp.

See original here:
Community News for 5/15/14 edition of the Sierra Star