Larry Sherman, a “540-something” pound Detroit man lost nearly 365 pounds — doing yoga. It took him 3-1/2 years to shed the weight, but he did it. Sherman attends classes at Lisa & Eric Paskel’s Yoga Shelter and attributes his new lifestyle to the studio’s caring, warm philosophy. During a yoga class there, a simple gesture, Lisa’s hands on Larry’s back and his heart, filled Larry with a new energy.

“They didn’t see my fat or my weight, they saw me as a person. It was so powerful for me, it was life-changing.”

Yoga practitioners know that it is not just a physical discipline, but a mental one as well. The word “yoga” itself refers to “yoke” — in other words, to “yoke” or join the body and mind together. Yoga’s focus on the mind and spirit spurred Sherman to transform his life.

“I had to change my mind, it wasn’t about my body.”

Sherman’s former weight could have qualified him for adjustable-gastric-bypass surgery (i.e. the “lap band”), but this surgery is painful, invasive, and often comes with many risks. Instead, Sherman kept doing yoga, and began eating better until eventually he became healthy enough to ride a bike. Coupling these new habits with a consistent yoga practice, Sherman now weighs around 180 pounds today.

It’s amazing how simple some health advice can be. Eat better. Do yoga. Ride a bike. Start today!