Karen Merchant

For Karen Merchant, a student at Starseed Yoga Meditation Center, yoga provides a haven from a demanding life."I feel more relaxed, more centered, more flexible," she said.Merchant has even applied yoga in her work as a music teacher.Years ago, she taught a boy who wasn't catching on.She taught him a yoga handstand.After he practiced it, he returned to the piano and his playing was much better.

"He got a whole new perspective by standing on his head," Merchant said.