Eric Williams ericwphoto.com

This week’s feature, “You, Improved,” gathers some excellent pointers from various life-improvement experts. Some of my favorite:

• “Before going into a stressful meeting, take a couple of minutes to breathe and ground yourself. ‘If we can back away for a moment,’ he says, ‘it helps you to know what it feels like to be calm’ so that you can return to that feeling at times when you may be provoked.”

• “If you decide to attend meditation or yoga classes, it’s important to find a teacher you resonate with. So when you start going, shop around until you find someone who makes you feel absolutely comfortable.”

• On defensiveness: “She says it’s hard to ‘own up to something we know we can do better.’ Instead of talking about it, we ‘push it away’ and blame it on others.”

• “Move disorganized items into a clutter-free space. Sort them out there, then put them back. Oftentimes you’ll think more clearly in a clean area.”

grassroots-yoga.com

Two of my (and likely your) 2012 resolutions are to get in better shape and be more frugal. I’m hoping to make a dent in both by taking advantage of new-student specials and cheap drop-in classes at local yoga studios. This is what I’ve found from cruising around online ... if you know of any others, do tell!

Bhava Yoga Studio: $35 / first two weeks. $6 ongoing drop-in classes.

Bikram Hot Yoga: $25 / first two weeks

Blissful Spirits Hot Yoga: $35 / first month

Body Balance Yoga: $5 ongoing drop-in classes

Body Language (yoga, Pilates and Barre classes): $45 / first month, but sign up is only through 1/31

Grassroots Yoga: $35 / first month. $5 ongoing drop-in classes

Hot Yoga Downtown: $29 / first month

Sani Yoga: $5 ongoing drop-in classes