If you struggle with resolutions to lose weight or get back in shape, it might be worth taking a different approach. Any time of the year is an auspicious time to incorporate the yogic value of loving kindness-towards yourself as well as others-into your wellness plan.

Taking a gentle approach to diet and exercise regimens helps us see that there's no point to the self-judgment that often accompanies failure to stick to them. Turning down the volume on self recrimination makes that energy available for other activities-like taking good care of yourself. When you fall off your plan, what's truly important is that you allow yourself to start the next day fresh, viewing it as a new opportunity to honor yourself. Try unrolling your yoga mat before you go to sleep so that you feel invited back to your practice in the morning. To make it super easy, pop in a DVD.

Consider Yoga Journal's Step-by-Step home practice series, the first workshop-quality yoga DVD series on the market. Rated "Best Yoga Video of 2004" by the St. Louis Dispatch and the "cream of the exercise video crop" by Real Simple magazine, the Step-by-Step series allows you to grow into your practice safely with top-notch instruction from "Beginner's Guru" Natasha Rizoplouos.

• Session 1 teaches classic and invigorating sun salutations
• Session 2 focuses on flexibility
• Session 3 is a sound approach to inversions and balances