thousand years has been weighing on their shoulders.

And at least one enterprising individual is hoping that New Year's resolutions to create healthier, stress-free lives may turn a few residents toward the ancient art of yoga.

Katherine Bryan is a certified interdisciplinary yoga instructor who hopes to begin building a small business starting in the New Year by doing what she loves best.

"I'd heard about yoga while studying in Canada, I tried it, and got completely hooked -- I fell completely in love with it,'' she said.

Ms Bryan has rented out a space and will be offering six-week yoga sessions starting on January 10.

After first learning about yoga, Ms Bryan has been practising the art for the past four years -- and she said she feels like she's just scratched the surface.

Ms Bryan later took a 100-hour training course in New York before returning to Bermuda.

"Yoga is very new to the scene in Bermuda -- but there's a great market out there, and I don't mean in the financial sense,'' she said.

Ms Bryan said that although yoga is an ancient art form, most people don't know about the many benefits which can result from learning yoga.

"It helps improve agility, mental focus, muscle flexibility and can help some chronic conditions -- (for example) I can work with sore backs,'' she said.

According to Ms Bryan, one of the most important benefits of yoga is its stress-reducing effects.

"While your body is engaging in holding certain positions and you're focused on your breathing, what results is a stillness in the mind -- and you can really let go of a lot of stress,'' she said.

"Corporate yoga is getting big in the US -- they have half-hour or forty-five minute stress-busting techniques.

"I think it would be very useful in Bermuda -- a lot of people here don't know how to relax.

"And everyone can do it -- some people say they can barely touch their toes, but they may get more out of it than others.

"It's really an incredible, endless journey,'' she added.

In addition to teaching regular classes, Ms Bryan offers private sessions. Her ultimate goal is to open a studio which could offer massage therapy and reflexology.

And she said she liked the tone that yoga sets -- unlike other parts of the fitness industry where there's more of a competitive atmosphere.

"It's important for me to establish a name for myself as a yoga teacher...one thing I love about yoga is that it's non-competitive, it's a path of continual learning,'' she noted.

Although Ms Bryan has advertised, she said `word of mouth' is the best way for a yoga instructor to build a core of clients. She charges $108 for a six-week session, one hour per week.

"You'll see improvements in flexibility over time. The results are not instantaneous, but the benefits are immense,'' said Ms Bryan.

Ms Bryan on 296-7365.