As 2011 begins, there are plenty of ways to start anew–whether your focus is on mind, body, spirit or all three. But even if your goals are ambitious, you can start with small steps.

"Even if you practice at least once each week, you will begin to notice a marked increase in energy, and often after even one class, you begin to feel stronger and calmer," said Maggie DiStefano, manager of Studio Yoga in Madison, established by Theresa Rowland more than 20 years ago.

Studio Yoga offers six levels of Iyengar yoga instruction. DiStefano said while there are many types of yoga, Iyengar focuses on body alignment, flexibility and strength.

"When you see children at play, their bodies are mimicking yoga postures," said Jane Caulfield-Cerchiaro, an instructor at Studio Yoga.

"Yoga has changed me physically and emotionally. Yoga helps you to feel more balanced and you become aware of how you are sitting, standing and walking," she said.

"First you notice the change on the outside, but then you begin to feel the changes on the inside. You feel centered and find yourself thinking more before you speak," Caulfield-Cerchiaro, who has taught yoga for four years, said.

Studio Yoga is offering trial memberships during January, for use through March. New clients can sign up for memberships that include one class per week for two months, at a rate of $110. Another option includes two classes per week for two months, for $195.  

Spirit Guides And Balanced Energy

Sue Freeman, proprietor of Art of the Heart Center in Chester, said those looking for fresh starts should get in touch with their spirit guides and the angels that surround them. 

Freeman, who is a Reiki master, established the center to offer a wide range of classes and workshops on topics including meditation, energy balancing, and angel and spirit guides. 

Reiki is a method of rebalancing the energy throughout the body; Freeman offers Reiki therapy sessions as well as training sessions.

"We have an angel class that meets each month, which helps people connect with the angels and guides around them," Freeman said.

The next class will be held on Friday, Jan. 21, from 7 to 9 p.m. and will be led by Irene Sonja Fanane, a resident of Chatham. Fanane has been certified in angel therapy by Doreen Virtue.

"Angel therapy helps individuals connect with the divine. It lends support and enriches spiritual growth," Freeman said.  "Participants feel more whole and complete after these sessions."

Classes in meditation will be offered on Friday, Jan. 14 and 28, from 7 to 9 p.m. and will be led by Valerie Lieberman, a resident of Long Valley. Freeman said Lieberman's meditation sessions are designed to help practitioners strengthen and connect with their higher selves. Lieberman's approach includes a discussion and guided meditation.

On Jan. 4 from 7 to 9 p.m. Celia Tiberio will lead a vibration alignment workshop that the center says will help practitioners rebalance their energies. All of the two-hour classes at Art of the Heart are $25 per session.

The center also offers a Women's Group called The Radiant Self, which explores creativity and spirituality held on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.

Focus on Health

Another opportunity to rejuvenate and recharge comes through your stomach. The Health Shoppe of Morristown is offering a variety of classes including a free healthy shopping tour with Satomi Ohama on Jan. 7, from 7 to 8 p.m. and Jan. 9, from 10:30 to 11:30 p.m.

Ohama will discuss how to purchase healthy food such as organic produce, bulk grains, vegetarian and vegan foods, and gluten-free selections; and natural beauty and personal care products. The session will cover topics such as the value of buying organic and locally grown products, suggestions for cooking, and reading food product labels.

Another class offered by the Health Shoppe is called "Beat the Sugar Blues," and will be led by Christine Grasso on Jan. 17, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. This class promises insight into how to permanently change your relationship with sugar. Grasso will address the causes of sugar cravings, health concerns related to consumption of refined sugar, naturally sweet alternatives, and how to balance your life to reduce your cravings. Admission is $20 prior to Jan. 14, and $25 afterward.

The Health Shoppe is also offering other types of health-related classes such as a free Reiki sampling on Jan. 8, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., led by Claire M. Schwartz, of Miriam's Well Healing. Schwartz will teach about the focus, relaxation and healing that Reiki can offer.

The business even offers a way to transform your life by starting with your gums. Dr. Philip E. Memoli will lead a free session called "Chronic (silent) Dental Infections and Potential Systemic Effects." The session will be held on Jan. 12., from 6 to 8 p.m. Attendees will learn about acute and chronic dental infections that can cause chronic inflammation and systemic disease.

Find a Wellness Resource Near You

There are a wide range of facilities and activities addressing health (traditional and holistic), nutrition and wellness:

• Dahn Yoga, open in Madison since 2004, has classes for all levels in Pilates, Dahn yoga and Tai Chi. Instructors come from Korea, Germany, India and Russia to share their unique training and experience.
• The Madison Public Library offers "Get Moving" Friday mornings. Among the activities offered: yoga stories, finger painting and dancing fun.
• Bodies In Balance Pilates studio in Madison, opened in 2000 by Margi Vangeli, offers private instruction as well as classes. Both a wellness and fitness center, Bodies In Motion teaches alternative and traditional exercise styles to adults and children.
• Optimum Nutrition is a Madison-based health service focused on treating patients according to their diets. The business specializes in weight loss, nutritional supplements, vitamins, minerals and herbs.
• The North Jersey Center for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in Madison offers a variety of alternative medicine treatments. In addition to acupuncture, the center specializes in Chinese herbal medicines, infertility treatments and qigong, a form of Chinese exercise. Classes in alternative medicines are offered as well.
• The Institute for Spiritual Development meets at the Madison Masonic Lodge. The Institute is a non-profit organization "dedicated to the service of your growing awareness, and to fostering an environment in which each individual may be stimulated to pursue his or her own true spiritual unfoldment uninhibited by dogmatic concerns." 
• The Mended Hearts support group meets at Morristown Memorial Hospital on the fourth Sunday of every month to discuss topics on heart health. Heart disease patients and caregivers, cardiac physicians and allied health professionals are all welcome and encouraged to attend.
• Morristown's Dr. David Beck is a licensed chiropractor who uses natural and holistic health care. Beck specializes in non-surgical orthopedics, pain management, pain control and physical rehabilitation. 
• Psychic Readings by Susan in Morristown provides psychic and other spiritual advisement for patrons seeking advice on love, careers, relationships and other matters.
• The Commit to Change yoga and Pilates studio near the Morristown train station offers classes for all levels.
• The Club at Morristown is a health club and spa. A yoga studio, a Pilates room, and a cycling studio are among the facilities available at The Club.
• Steve Tylee Fitness in Morristown offers personal training, nutrition consulting, Pilates, yoga and group training.
• If you're working on keeping your life in balance, that'll come in handy for Wellness on the Green's hula hoop fitness classes in Morristown.
• The Remedy Center in Morristown is a homeopathic healing center. It treats people of all ages for ailments afflicting the mind and body.
• Acupuncture by Helena Lee Ca in Morristown is an alternative medicinal practice. It says it "helps to prevent illness & health problems by improving overall performance of the body's immune system." It does this by "using exceptionally thin sterile, disposable needles at specific points of the body. This practice motivates the movement of energy also known as 'Qi' within the body allowing natural healing."
• Acupressure Massage Center in the center of Morristown offers Swedish massage, trigger point therapy, deep tissue and paraffin bath.
• The Center for Spiritual Living in Morristown offers a variety of meditation sessions, among other services aimed at transforming personal lives and building paths to God.
• Yoga classes are taught at the Adath Shalom Synagogue in Morris Plains. The classes include postures to open the body, breath awareness for vitality, and meditation to encourage calmness.  No previous yoga experience is needed.
• The College of Saint Elizabeth in Morris Township will be hosting an introductory yoga class for seniors Jan. 5. The class will be taught by registered yoga trainer Christina Alfonso.
• Studio Yoga has locations in Madison and Chatham, and offers yoga, zumba, Pilates, meditation, belly dancing, hoop dancing, tai chi, capoeira and other classes for men, women and children. 
• Powerflow Kids Yoga, a children's yoga studio located in downtown Chatham, offers a variety of classes for all ages from prenatal to preteen. Pamela Nixon, the studio manager and yoga instructor, is an ACE certified personal trainer, a Karma Kids certified children's yoga instructor, and a Signing Time baby sign language instructor. The main Powerflow location in Chatham offers hot yoga, which means the heat is turned up in the room and clients learn to control their breath and flexibility while sweating.
• The Senior Center of the Chathams offers Kati's Yoga weekly on Fridays. The class encourages the body and mind to relax into each pose with emphasis on alignment. The poses address muscle strength and joint flexibility, working toward a greater range of motion, and better balance.
• Body Mind & Soul in Chatham has an emphasis on Stott Pilates, a progressive approach to traditional Pilates that involves more initial pelvic and shoulder girdle exercises. The studio offers private and group sessions for kids, adults and seniors as well as massage therapy.
• Elaine Patterson is an experienced and licensed massage therapist serving community members in Chatham and surrounding communities. Her studio is located on the second floor of the building in which she practices.
• The Chatham Club is a gym that offers personal training, group exercise, Pilates, yoga and strength-training programs.
• The Center for Relaxation & Healing in Chatham offers a variety of massage treatments designed to relieve patients of muscle pain.
• Operating out of a residential home in Chatham Township, Holistic Beginnings provides birthing services for new mothers in Union, Morris, Essex, Somerset and Central New Jersey.
• Among the services offered by Parsippany's LA Fitness location are daily classes in yoga, Pilates and kickboxing. 
• Yoga is included among the parent programs offered by the Parsippany Police Athletic League.
• Lincoln Park's Optimum Health Physical Therapy and Wellness Center aims to take a full-body approach to physical health.
• Healthy Lifestyles at Montville, an extension of the Morristown Memorial Hospital and Atlantic Health, opened on Dec. 4. So says Linda Reed, chief information officer at Atlantic Health and vice president of information systems: "We cover all ranges of holistic treatment, message and acupuncture, but we also accommodate anyone in need of nutritional counseling, lifestyle coaching or other alternative care."
• Montville Township's Dawn Lisa Borowski says as a certified health and wellness coach and practitioner, her "passion, purpose and calling is to help people to live and enjoy and abundant life that is our birth right which God promised." She offers a Christian-focused approach to health and wellness
• Susan R. Eisen is a chiropractor with facilities in New York City and Montville. She specializes in chiropractics with an emphasis on holistic medicine.
• Acupuncture Healing in Montville provides alternative treatment for various ailments, as well as for herbal medicine. 
• Life Support Wellness Center in Butler is alternative medicine center that provides a complete holistic team and alternative, natural medical solutions. It specializes in chiropractic, Myopulse, and Acuscope care. The center's Joyce Berg is a Reiki master, and Nicholas Ligosh is a chiropractic physician.