Most days, as Donna Capriotti performs her yoga workout, she begins to cry.

A psychotherapist by trade, as she focuses all her energy, concentration and strength on the movements at hand, the weight of her clients' sorrows and problems leave her.

"I'm completely gone when I'm here," said the Flying Hills resident. "The physical exhaustion is not an issue for me. I cannot tell you what peace I get."

Kim Voithofer of Mohnton said the class requires more stamina and strength than other yoga courses.

Following each session, "I feel a deep, inward exhaustion," Voithofer added.

Jill Weise of Birdsboro agreed.

"I like it because I feel completely wrung out at the end of class," Weise said. "And I feel a certain satisfaction from doing something that's been done for thousands of years."

Debra Bernheiser of West Lawn stressed the spiritual strength required for a complete session:

"More than any other form of exercise, it's more of an overall experience. The exercise is just one of the side effects you get. It's just such a beautiful experience because you have to be there in the moment. It's not like you can mindlessly lift weight or run on a treadmill."

Another thing that's so important is the breathing flow," Bernheiser says. "When you're focusing on your breathing, it takes you to another place. If you're listening to your breath in your head, you're not focusing on how much you're struggling."

One thing that Linda has impressed on us is it's a journey. It's not something you conquer and then move on from."

reprinted in part from Reading Eagle Lifestyle, August 28, 2004.