If you're looking to improve your flexibility, strength, balance — and lower stress at the same time — consider a yoga class.

We asked Scott Moore, a seasoned yoga instructor and co-owner — with Jennifer Ellen Meuller and Matt Newman — of Prana Yoga, a new studio in Trolley Square, to talk about this healing art.

Why should someone try yoga?

Yoga is different for everybody. My personal definition is the process of discovering who you are by listening, to body, breath and mind. Yoga gives you insight into who you are in a way that is practical, engaging and fun. It makes you feel like a million bucks. Yoga means union and that all parts of self are integral, connected.

What are the health benefits?

Yoga offers an avenue to find your own balance. It grounds you and helps you feel right in your own skin. It gives you a way of feeling self-assured and self-accepting. It makes your body flexible, strong, and balanced. It lowers stress, blood pressure, eliminates toxins, strengthens bone density, and vitalizes organs. Most of all yoga is fun and feels great.

What are some misconceptions?

When I tell people that I teach yoga for a living, they almost always ask if I can put my foot behind my head. I always respond that such a pose is completely overrated. You don't have to be flexible, strong or in amazing shape to do yoga. Yoga is the invitation to start wherever you are and begin the process of looking inside and explore a comfortable relationship with your frontiers: physical, mental, emotional. Yoga is fun.

Some people are freaked out that yoga came from India and has ancient roots in deep spirituality and Hinduism. Yoga is much bigger than any one style or religion or purpose of practice. Again, it's the invitation to look closely at one's self. Despite your religious affiliation or spiritual practice, yoga will make you a better you. I have classes filled with all types of religious and non-religious, spiritual and non-spiritual people.

How long have you been a yoga instructor?

I've been teaching yoga full-time in Salt Lake City since 2003. In addition to teaching at Prana Yoga in Trolley Square, I am an adjunct faculty professor teaching Yoga for Wellness at Westminster College. I also travel to many businesses and organizations teaching yoga during people's lunch break. And as a yoga instructor, I have been an integral part of the therapeutic curriculum for Gateway Academy, a center for teenage boys receiving therapy for a wide array of needs. I work closely with those boys four days a week.

Are their other ways you achieve balance and minimize stress?

I meditate regularly. I love to run. I love to play jazz. I love chocolate. I love to write and keep a blog at scottsyogaforum.blogspot.com. —

Prana Yoga

Where • 602 E. 500 South, in Trolley Square, Salt Lake City; 801-596-3325.

Web • pranayogaslc.com and scottsyogaforum.blogspot.com