For those who think yoga is for sissies, think again. The practice of yoga Reflection, A Yoga & Health Studio, focuses on a positive, wholesome, attractive and nourishing change for the body and mind by using the eight limbs of yoga.

Classes are designed to blend inner focus, principles of alignment, inversions and heart opening exercises to create a flow. Ultimately, as you cultivate your inner and outer strength and flexibility, you will begin to witness the connection of your body and mind and experience the wholeness of being. Oh, and you sweat, too.

While working on connecting your body and mind, you are also getting fit in the process...muscles you never knew you had suddenly become alive.

Located a 19850 Old Scenic Highway, Classes for men and women are available six days a week at multiple times and a variety of yoga instruction is available for everyone from the beginner to the advanced yogi.

The benefits of Yoga at Reflection include:

• Stress relief

• Inner peace, calm and authentic happiness

• Increased strength, physical conditioning and a beautiful posture

• Weight loss and weight management

• Increased overall energy

• Improved sleep

• Heightened mental and intuitive awareness

• Improved hormonal balance (especially important in cases of breast cancer, infertility and prenatal conditioning)

• Brain synchronization and brain fitness

• Whole body detoxification

Kavitha Kakarala, a registered health coach who is has been practicing yoga for many years, is the owner of Reflection. She believes in everything in moderation. "My love for yoga brought me so much peace," Kakarala said. "It's not about religion or culture, that's not what we push on people here."

Kakarala offers her health coach services at the studio, as well as several holistic services.

A health coach offers guidance and inspiration to help clients shift their behavior to healthier habits. Clients develop a deeper understanding of the foods and lifestyle choices that work best for them, and implement lasting changes that improve their energy, balance and health, Kakarala says.

"Instead of prescribing one diet or one way of exercising, a health coach focuses on teaching clients to become self-sufficient by observing the body's responses to various modifications and choosing health promoting behaviors that work for them," she said.

Clients will be helped to achieve their goals in areas such as weight management, food cravings, sleep, energy, and digestion, to name a few.

Yoga classes range from Candlelight Flow, a class designed especially for moms offered in a tranquil, meditative and soothing setting by candlelight, to Yin Yoga, which focuses on regenerating the joints and increasing the health of the spine.

Other classes featured are Yoga Therapeutics (postures, breathing and meditation practices), Basics Flow (Hatha Yoga designed for the beginning practitioner), Fundamental Flow 1 (for those familiar with Basics Flow), Fundamental Flow Level 1 & 2 (open to all levels of practitioners, it introduces more advanced poses that build strength and create internal heat), Restorative Yoga (If you are looking for deep relaxation or simply need to quiet your mind, Restorative Yoga is the answer for you), and Intro to Ashtanga (this class synchronizes the breath with a progressive series of postures - a process producing intense internal heat and a profuse, purifying sweat that detoxifies muscles and organs).

A class schedule as well as brief bios of all the Reflection instructors can be found by visiting www.reflectionyogastudio.com.

In addition to the yoga classes, the eco-friendly studio, which uses environmentally friendly materials such as cork, cotton and recycled products in its floors, blocks, straps and bags, also offers Reiki (pronounced Ray Key).

Reiki is a combination of two Japanese words, rei and ki, meaning universal life energy. An ancient alternative healing practice, Reiki uses the life force energy to balance the subtle energies within our bodies. Addressing physical, emotional, mental and spiritual imbalances, Reiki treats the whole person.

"A Reiki treatment feels like a flowing, warm glow that promotes healing and recovery," Kakarala said.

Also available is Thai Yogi Massage, which works on all layers of the person from the physical body to the spiritual body. Starting at the feet and working up to the head, the technique combines Trigger Point Treatments, Deep Pressure, Massage and Yoga Poses as well as other techniques. This work is unique in many ways. "We use our hands, feet, elbows, knees, and at times, the weight of our whole body," said Kakarala.

For full descriptions of Reiki, Thai Yogi Massage, all Yoga classes and what is offered in the Reflection Boutique, visit www.reflectionyogastudio.com.

Tricia Prewitt is the marketing director and studio manager of Reflection Yoga. Prewitt says Reflection Yoga & Health Studio is planning a series of workshops in the schools and the community and will be introducing a parent-child yoga class, hopefully, in October.

Contact Reflection, A Yoga & Health Studio, by calling 663-8922 or visiting the website.

Also, visit them on Facebook or e-mail info@reflectionyogastudio.com.