At the top of my list of favorite pseudo-holidays (like National Pancake Day) is National Yoga Month. This September, there are free yoga classes, free week-long yoga studio passes, and other events to celebrate a type of exercise that relaxes the body and the mind. I'm a yogi - can you tell?

If you are new to yoga, National Yoga Month offers a low-cost way to try it out! You don't have to buy a mat to take advantage of these deals. Many yoga studios offer free mats to borrow during class or charge a nominal fee, like $1. Just make sure to wash your hands after class. A lot of other yogis have sweated on that mat.

Everything you need to know about National Yoga Month is on YogaMonth.org (see above link). The site has a list of 1,500-plus studios that are giving away free week long yoga passes. A smaller number of studios have free days. The "holiday" is also a promotional vehicle for the "Titans of Yoga" DVD, which is $25. (Expect lower prices as part of the month-long celebration).

If you miss the free yoga or do not have an event close to you, look for donation and community classes for reduced rates.

Thanks, Teresa!