I have been very remiss over the last month and have to say that I have done no exercise whatsoever. Not being a natural athlete, or even someone who likes to get physical, this has not been hard to achieve. So when I visited my yoga studio on Saturday I knew I might be a little stiff. That had to be the understatement of the year. I couldn’t touch my toes, my lower back creaked and my hamstrings pinged. The next day, I could hardly move. Not one to shy away, I took another 2 hour class the following day whereby we stretched our taught muscles lovingly back to their normal length and breathed our way to a relaxing afternoon. Yesterday saw me at a fitball class with a female Hitler – why do they have to have so much attitude? – but I feel strong and lean, even if my buttocks hurt like crazy. They say “use it or lose it” and I really do now understand what that means. I will never, ever again let myself go for that long without some form of physical activity. The pain is too great. With the same mantra in mind, I’m off tonight to my first rehearsal with a newly formed ladies’ Barbershop choir. In case you’re wondering, I’m a bass – low and husky. I used to sing tenor, a male voice, in two Choral Societies but gave it up two years ago due to work commitments. I miss singing as it’s great for ridding yourself of stress. I’m hoping the voice is still there even if a bit rusty after so long without practice. If you don’t have activites that help to de-stress you, think about the wise words my yoga instructor said on Sunday ” A lack of flexibility or a lack of strength will not kill you but too much stress definitely can”. So if you haven’t made de-stressing part of your plans for 2009, why not do so now? Find something you really enjoy and then feel the tension just melt away.