“Mom, I think I will sign up for an introductory yoga package,” said my son Ryan, a senior at the University of Florida. He was home for a short break between his summer internship and start of classes. Missing his campus gym, he was looking for something to fill the short gap away from his workout. Having discovered the benefits of yoga as a football player in high school, he continues to incorporate yoga into his regimen. Ryan observed that his workouts improved and his injuries were reduced as a result of improving his flexibility.

“Many people assume that yoga requires the ability to be a contortionist. Yoga is an internal process and can meet us wherever we are,” says yoga therapist Kimberly Carson, in our Fitbody feature Why Our Body Loves Yoga. My son is 6’5”, built like an offensive lineman, and definitely not a contortionist; yoga meets him where he is able to hold a pose. In my own experience, yoga helps me release tension and keep stiff joints moving.

I am passionate about connecting our readers with our diverse and talented yoga community. In this issue, you will find featured yoga instructors in their favorite yoga pose sharing how it impacts life and benefits the body physically. If you are interested in trying yoga, I encourage you to find a studio or instructor near you by referring to our Yoga Community Guide. Most studios have an introductory class package to allow you experience an instructor or class in order to find one that resonates with you.

This issue contains a wealth of ideas to incorporate into your lifestyle. Add some fun to your kid’s lunch boxes with our healthy and flavorful ideas. Make creaky knees, sore hips, shoulder pain or a stiff neck a thing of the past with insight from our feature article, Forever Flexible. Shed some stubborn pounds with tips from local experts. Discover today’s 26 top superfoods and their benefits. Keep your dog cool and safe by recognizing the signs of heatstroke and learn how lasers are keeping skin youthful. I hope you find inspiration in these pages to benefit your health journey.

Stay flexible!

Kris Urquhart, Publisher