Barb wrote: Speaking of yoga.... I am thinking of taking my first class. The only thing that worries me is the fat chick thing! Yeah, I'm overweight and my belly keeps me from stretching as far as I'd like to! I wonder if Ti Chi might be better, until I slim down some. I want something to do for flexibility and stress reduction. Any thoughts?"

Hi Barb, Couldn't resist chiming in on this one, I'm a second degree black belt in Aikido, another martial art but one that people often take for stress reduction. My teacher, a 6th dan, also does yoga and uses it in warmups for each class, but I don't do yoga itself, alone...I really should, it's great.

anywho, go ahead and take the yoga class!! no one is going to ask you to stretch further than you can, and just because someone is a skinny gym rat they may be less flexible than you! Yoga is great for reducing stress.

Tai Chi (or any other well taught martial art) will give you balance, concentration, help your strength and breathing, core muscles but not that much for flexibility.