Thank you Karen! I feel the same way - a good mix of gym workouts, Pilates and yoga is what most of us need in the challenging age we live in.

Working out in a gym with a trainer got rid of my ab flab while Pilates straightened my slouching back. Yoga keeps my joints and hip flexible and makes me feel I'm a child of the earth.

I took yoga for many years in a variety of styles. I enjoyed the sense of peace, wellbeing, and open muscles. Nonetheless, my abs were never strengthened by yoga.

I started taking Pilates reformer classes about 4 weeks ago. My body shape is changing dramatically, which never happened from yoga. My waist is much more defined. My abs are stronger and my back feels amazing.

I think sometimes one does need to target certain muscles. Yoga was developed in a time and place that did not have desk jobs or long commutes. Perhaps yoga teachers should examine how to adapt their ancient art for the specific needs of modern body-minds.