Picking a Yoga Class

Q: How can I figure out the which type of yoga is right for me?

A: Hatha yoga is actually something of a misnomer. "Hatha refers to the general classification of doing yoga postures with breathing techniques," explains Larry Payne, Ph.D., director of the Yoga Training Program at Loyola Marymount University and president of the Samata Yoga Center in Los Angeles. So many styles of yoga -- including Vinyasa and Bikram -- are actually forms of Hatha yoga. Classes that are described as Hatha Yoga usually refer to general, traditional yoga without a particular style, which attracts people of all ages.

Vinyasa yoga, on the other hand, is usually recommended for people who are in the first half of their lives, since it incorporates more physically demanding moves, says Payne. For individuals who are in the second half of their lives, Payne recommends Viniyoga, which puts less emphasis on mimicking the instructor's perfect form and more attention to practicing postures "to meet one's own needs and physical capacities," he says. This individualized approach might also appeal to self-starters of any age, he adds.

Bikram yoga is another discipline altogether. "It involves 26 postures done at the intermediate level and in a room where the temperature is set at over 100 degrees Fahrenheit," says Payne. The heat is thought to help with stretching.

Other popular forms of yoga include Iyengar yoga, which is sometimes called "furniture yoga" because it utilizes cushions, benches and other props; Kripalu yoga, in which practitioners move through three stages of posture work and meditation; Kundalini yoga, which incorporates chanting with postures and breath control; and Integral yoga, made famous in the U.S. by Swami Satchidananda who, at the 1969 Woodstock Music Festival, taught baby boomers to perform yoga while chanting "om."

Curb Your Kid's Sweet Tooth

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Q: What's the best way to curb my kid's craving for sweets?

A: Most kids like sweet things. In fact, many studies suggest this is an evolved craving: Little bodies need lots of energy to grow, and what better way to load up on calories than to eat something sweet? The problem is, instead of healthy natural sweets like fruit, today's treats are filled with refined sugar and come in the unhealthy form of cookies, candy and soda.

Of course, the best way to cut back on sugar is to avoid buying sugary foods in the first place, notes Melinda Johnson, registered dietitian and a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. But that doesn't mean you have to cut out dessert altogether. Keep portions small and avoid doubling up: Instead of serving cookies with ice cream, offer two small cookies one night and a single scoop of ice cream the next, suggests Johnson. View soda as a "treat" and not a regular dinnertime beverage, she adds. Another trick is to mix sweet breakfast cereals with those containing less sugar. When serving pancakes, French toast or waffles, offer sliced fruit and low-sugar jellies and jams instead of syrup. "Most importantly, eat the way you would like your child to eat," instructs Johnson, since "kids learn the best by example!"

Menopause Already?!

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Q: Are my mood swings and headaches premonopausal symptoms? I'm only 37!

A: Don't worry, your symptoms are perfectly normal, and your sister's not crazy. As most people know, it's not uncommon for mood swings, headaches and a host of other symptoms to be linked to a woman's menstrual cycle. This is usually referred to as PMS (premenstrual syndrome). What's more, some women report that the closer they get to menopause, the worse their PMS symptoms get, reports Ellen Freeman, Ph.D., director of the PMS research program at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. So while "premenopausal" isn't the best way to describe your symptoms, this is probably all your sister meant by it.

The good news is that while PMS symptoms may increase as you get older, Dr. Freeman's research has found that they "are likely to diminish around menopause and disappear altogether after menopause," she says.

In the meantime, simple lifestyle changes may provide relief if symptoms are mild. Dr. Freeman suggests deep breathing exercises, yoga, limiting alcohol and caffeine and eating a diet high in complex carbohydrates, such as brown rice and whole grain breads and pastas. If that doesn't do the trick, talk to your doctor about medication. Headaches often respond to over-the-counter pain relievers, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. For tougher migraines, your doctor may offer one of the newer prescription "triptan" drugs. If mood swings are severe, a prescription antidepressant may help. While it can be frustrating when PMS symptoms get worse, relief is available and, best of all, they won't last forever.

This Live Right Live Well Q&A was written by journalist Jennifer Viegas.