Trying to get into overall better shape and being

To increase flexibility, I have found that basic stretches helps. When I was in Tae Kwon Do, before kids - I stretched every day. After a few weeks I saw that I could touch my toes again! I hadn't done that since I was a kid. Now that I'm back into getting fit, kids are grown - I've started the stretches again. About 15 minutes a day, working from the head to the toes and stretching every muscle group for a count hold of 15, or longer if I can. I can almost touch my toes again!

I danced for over a decade of my childhood and I currently teach yoga and pilates. Here's what I know:

Like anything, flexibility takes time, perseverence, and patience. Yoga is great for maintaining flexibility and strength, but for faster results you'll want to actually stretch out on your own.

So, what might be most helpful to you is to go to yoga classes every week. At the end of each class, ask your instructor for some stretching tips that you can do at home to improve your yoga practice during the class. Then, when you're at home, you'll be able to stretch at your own pace and really focus on deepening each movement.

Take the stretches that you know or have learned and do them while watching TV or reading a magazine. Poses like pigeon, side splits, butterfly, and cow face (you can look these up) are great for just chilling at home without really needing to focus on the stretch.

As far as better 'shape' goes, I'd recommend bodyweight workouts or weight training. If you want to kill two birds with one stone, go for calisthenics. The website bodyrock.tv is a FANTASTIC resource for calisthenic exercises that strengthen, tone, and improve flexibility without your realizing it.

Good luck! Happy shaping!