Body parts wear out under repeated stress. In search of help, Polly and I signed up for a yoga lesson, but it was a little too New Age-y for us. “When the body and soul are yoked in balance and peace, the awakened way of life results,” the blissed-out teacher, an ethereal sprite in expensive pastel yoga togs, assured us.

“Can we get an order of fries with that?” Polly whispered. We quit after one class, and decided to teach ourselves.
 
I bought an easy, non-threatening little book called Yoga in Bed: 20 Asanas to do in Pajamas, by Edward Vilga . You’ll find no Sting-and-Trudy contortions here, just basic poses illustrated by photos of a young woman who looks like she’s having fun (unlike the snooty suburban yoginis in our yoga class). Each clearly explained exercise includes a list of variations you can try after you’ve limbered up some.
 
A couple of caveats: I do very few of these exercises in bed, preferring the additional support offered by a double-folded quilt on the floor. Also, the model in the book demonstrates many of the poses with a pile of pillows beneath her head. Other yoga books I’ve consulted advise keeping the head and neck in line for most poses.

          

Take your time, and don’t even think about attempting complicated poses like headstands and spinal twists without help from a trained yoga teacher. Yoga is not a competitive sport. Don’t push or strain. 
 
Once you’ve mastered the basics, you’ll be ready for Thirty Essential Yoga Poses, by Judith Hanson Lasater.
For more information and inspiration, you might also want to visit www.yogabasics.com and www.yogajournal.com.

Polly and I have been stretching and breathing for several months now. My posture and range of motion are improving steadily, and the demons have removed their flaming pickaxes from Polly’s back. Maybe it’s not “the awakened way of life,” but it’s definitely the non-aching way. And that’s close enough.