Sitting here trying to describe such an ancient healing system as Yoga, to tempt you in, I recalled the delightful image of 80 year old Wilfred Clarke - Yoga Teacher. Picture him; sitting on a chair, blue mischievous eyes full of laughter and fun. He is wearing a Buddhist tunic over a Scottish kilt, and he is rounded. For all his wisdom and knowledge, he has the spontaneity of a small happy child.

Wilfred was taking a weekend of Yoga practice. I was in my early twenties and spellbound. We had already started the day with the Asanas (Postures and movements). Now he was talking about Prana, the Universal Energy that is available to all and sustains life. To illustrate visibly the effects of Prana, he lined up five people at the far end of the hall, with their backs to him and eyes closed. He held his hands out to them one by one. Each volunteer he aimed at swayed backwards towards Wilfred's extended hands.

Working on the principle that if you can't see or feel it, it doesn't exist, I was still skeptical, but decided to accept Wilfred's offer to get some healing during lunch break. Wilfred held his hands over the areas that needed it. I felt nothing. I was just on my way out, when Wilfred said, "Just a moment, my dear", put his arms in an open ring around me, and... there it was! I could feel the invisible energy of Prana. It felt like tiny static electricity.

Call it Prana, Chi, Reiki, Spiritual Healing, Universal Energy... this is the energy that I work with so effectively in all the healing systems, including Optimum Nutrition, that I use for others and myself.

PRANA is the air that we breathe, the food we eat, the movements we make or the stillness when we stop. It is anything that is life-enhancing, that brings us well-being. It is a way of living life to the full. I could see it in Wilfred's eyes.

This is all very well, but what is Yoga?

Most people have some conception of what Yoga is. Unfortunately many think it is about tying yourself into weird, tortuous and downright dangerous knots... and it is not for them!!!

Well...you can. No matter how decrepit you imagine yourself to be, you can still breathe. If you are conscious, you can still tell yourself to move. You can tell yourself to have the best possible diet. And... this may be a lot harder... to balance work, rest, sleep and play. To "step into other people's shoes," to "Do-as-you-would-be-done-by" and to have compassion and honour for others... And most importantly for YOURSELF.

The practice and living of Yoga is about Wholeness, Harmony, Moderation and Balance, both within and without. You practice it and after a while it becomes second nature. It is not selfish to spend time nurturing and loving yourself, because when you are feeling good, healthy, interested in life you make others feel better too! And that makes you feel good. After over thirty years of practicing Yoga - more off than on, I confess - I am far, far from perfect! But it is worth it. Despite the occasional wobblies, I am so much happier now.

If you are new to Yoga, be aware that you cannot learn it from a book or a video. A sympathetic, fully trained Yoga teacher can guide you through the postures and breathing, and advise you how to modify anything that may be contra-indicated for various medical conditions. When you are familiar with it, you can practice it at home. Anything like 'Yogacise' or 'Karatiyog' is not Yoga, although it might have other benefits. Yoga too can be aerobic and strengthen the heart muscles and lungs by holding a position. You don't need to leap about percussively and sweat a lot to exercise the heart.

Generally speaking, we are brought up to be competitive; in school, exams, sport, socially, materially and at work. In Yoga, there is no competition - neither between you and the others in the class, and definitely not with yourself. There may be days when you can balance on one leg and days when you can't; days when you lie still and days when you twitch. It doesn't matter!

Be mindful. Honour your body and when it tells you it's had enough, you slowly and gently come out of what you've been doing. If you are sitting for some time, concentrating on a candle flame, a flower, a thought, a sound, and you feel uncomfortable, you can move. Right at the beginning of one class, a woman asked if she could lie down in deep relaxation for the whole hour and a half because she was so exhausted. Of course the teacher agreed and reassured her it was fine too if she snored.

Despite what the teacher shows you and invites you to do, you don't have to try and copy it. YOU take responsibility for what you can achieve without strain, using the breath, thus avoiding injury. A teacher may very gently without lifting or pushing, guide you to extend a position, but not force someone against their natural limits. You have the right to tell them you don't want to be moved. Like me, most Western Yoga teachers guide their students verbally.