An excellent alternative to the usual exercise workout is Tai Chi Chuan. A series of stretching and balancing poses, smoothly blended into one continuous and graceful movement, Tai Chi is one of Asia's most popular exercise forms. It is gentle enough that some people have been able to continue to practicing it daily for over 90 years. While it is technically possible to learn Tai Chi from a book, the best way is to take a class. Some park and recreation districts and adult education services offer Tai Chi lessons.
Hatha yoga is another exercise form that is gaining much popularity.
This form of yoga is a series of poses, called asanas, which help a person relax, stretch and tone muscle groups, and gain better balance. Iyengar is a style of Hatha yoga a bit more physically demanding than some other forms, and allows a number of aids, such as belts and blocks, to make it easier for beginners to work into the more difficult poses. While Hatha Yoga has often been confused with eastern religious practice, it does not need to conflict with any belief system or religion. Taken simply as an exercise form, it provides little aerobic benefits but adds many stretching and toning benefits to traditional aerobic exercise. Depending on the style and instructor, Yoga can be very stress reducing and rejuvinating.