BOW, N.H. (AP) Combine Twister, paint-by-numbers and the ancient Hindu practice of breath control, meditation and poses, and you get Yoga by Numbers.

The approach complete with a numbered mat was designed by a Boston woman whose own health scare inspired her to put yoga in reach for people with physical limitations, tight schedules or other roadblocks to traditional practice.

The oversized yoga mat is dotted with big, numbered circles that look like the target in a rifle scope. The accompanying DVD gives true yoga beginners those who wouldnt know an up-dog from a Chihuahua a step-by-step roadmap to learn the poses at their own pace.

Elizabeth Morrow was an athlete, a skier and soccer player who, two years ago, found herself hospitalized with a right lung full of blood clots, the lower lobe completely collapsed. When she was strong enough to start exercising again, she found even the easiest of yoga classes too taxing. She didnt have the stamina for an hour, couldnt hold the poses the way the instructor wanted.

So, the 32-year-old started thinking of ways to make it easier, more convenient and even more fundamental than the myriad DVDs already on the market.

I was thinking about a paint-by-number kit where you dont need to be Picasso or van Gogh, you just follow what they tell you and youll come out with something, she said.

The DVD tells users exactly which circle to put their hands and feet in and allows for advancement to more challenging poses.

Yoga by Numbers has been compared to Twister, the popular game with giant colored circles, spinning wheel and crazy, cross-limbed poses. But Morrows cool with that, even when it comes from critics.

I think its awesome when they have that reaction because to me, that means they get it and they know how to use it, said Morrow, a certified yoga instructor.

Morrow has sold to people who live far from a yoga studio, those with tight schedules who need to squeeze in practice whenever they can, and people with health conditions.

Link:
New mat maps out yoga moves

Author Kathryn Ledson. Photo: Meredith Fuller

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The Old Man and Mr Smith - Peter Ustinov

God and the Devil visit Earth in human disguise for the first time since Creation to inspect their handiwork. The Devil's in his element, of course, and poor God tries to keep up; he's way out of his depth, especially in America. These days, when watching the news, I'm often reminded of this funny story. Since reading it more than 20 years ago, I'm inclined to view global events through a more satirical eye. It makes the horror slightly less horrific.

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A Fortunate Life - A.B. Facey

The life and times of an Aussie battler, Albert Facey. That poor, lucky man - blessed with a bloody great attitude. Has anyone survived more difficulty and hardship in life, only to consider themselves "fortunate"? We could all do with a dose of A Fortunate Life now and then. It should sit on everyone's bedside table, like a bible, as a reminder to count your blessings; a powerful daily practice. And next to the book, a big box of tissues.

The Fountainhead - Ayn Rand

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Read more:
Kathryn Ledson: Books that changed me

Books

Melbourne author Kathryn Ledson. Photo: Michael Clayton-Jones

THE HOBBIT and THE LORD OF THE RINGS J.R.R. Tolkien

There was quite a period of time after Enid Blyton and Elyne Mitchell where I searched unsatisfied for magic and adventure in the fiction I read. Then, when I was 13, I was given The Hobbit to read, followed by The Lord of the Rings. I realised then anything was possible in the world of fiction and fantasy and I loved that idea, absolutely loved it.

THE OLD MAN AND MR SMITH Peter Ustinov

God and the Devil visit Earth in human disguise. The devil's in his element, of course, and poor God tries to keep up. He is way out of his depth, especially in America. Since reading it more than 20 years ago, I am inclined to view global events through a more satirical eye. It makes the horror slightly less horrific.

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A FORTUNATE LIFE A.B. Facey

The life and times of an Aussie battler, Albert Facey. That poor, lucky man - blessed with a bloody great attitude. Has anyone survived more difficulty and hardship in life, only to consider themselves ''fortunate''? We could all do with a dose of A Fortunate Life now and then.

THE FOUNTAINHEAD Ayn Rand

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Books that changed me: Kathryn Ledson