September is national yoga month and our community is especially dynamic in that respect. We have awesome yoga centers here in the Bay Area, with the cream of the crop represented right here on the pages of Natural Awakenings. That includes thriving centers throughout the Bay Area like St. Petersburg Yoga (StPeteYoga.com), Tree Frog Yoga in Pinellas Park (TreeFrogYoga.net), Yoga 4 All in Seminole (Yoga4All.com), Lotus Pond Yoga in Tampa (LotusPondYoga.com), online studio The Yoga Tree of Love (TheYogaTreeOfLove.com), and ReFlex Arts in Sarasota (ReFlexArts.com).

I’m a brand new devotee of the practice of yoga, especially since personally realizing its profound effect on my own well-being. I’ve experienced a direct connection between the practice of yogic pelvic and hip poses and relief of my own lower back pain. Along with enhanced self-awareness and stress reduction, I’m learning new ways to move my body and develop my innate flexibility, strength, and balance.

This month, we feature an article entitled "Whole-Being Workouts" (page 28) examining innovative ways to advance spirituality-fitness connections through bodily workouts. In Healing Ways (page 33) we highlight "Deep-Healing Yoga: Release Trauma, Build Resilience", offering insight on the healing aspects of yoga practices, especially in terms of emerging "trauma-sensitive" programs.

As always, open your mind and read on.