Interactions

Shape Up by Listening to Your Body

With respect to "Yoga to Control Weight? That May Be a Stretch" ["The Moving Crew," Aug. 16], what difference does it make whether the weight loss came from improved body awareness vs. actual calories burned during class?

My daily practice of yoga has definitely given me improved body awareness -- I can practically "hear" my stomach talking to me. Without making any conscious decisions to change my diet, I've reduced my consumption of caffeine, alcohol, sodas and other foods filled with chemicals and artificial ingredients.

I no longer eat a plateful of food just because someone puts it in front of me -- I eat when I'm hungry and stop when I'm not because I know my body doesn't want any more. I lost my taste for meat and rich foods, naturally preferring light, healthy fare. There was no struggling to stay on a diet; it all happened simply from listening to my body.

All that in addition to a stronger, healthier, more flexible body and a calm mind. Sounds like a pretty good thing to me.

Sandy Chute

Alexandria

Digging Into Fitness

I enjoyed reading in "Designed for Fitness" [Aug. 16] about designer homes that resemble giant hamster wheels, to help people keep their bodies moving without having to visit the gym or even step outdoors. And it was very thoughtful of The Post to add a postscript about ways to build fitness challenges into one's home even without a luxury budget. But it seems to me you missed the most obvious, classic example of an affordable fitness center that promotes healthy living and flows naturally from the home. It's called a garden.

Judith Rubin

Richmond