I'm not one of those people who makes a New Year's resolution to "get in shape."

I'm not even sure what "getting in shape" entails. For some, it means lusting after the airbrushed perfection of Miranda Kerr's thighs, going to the gym every day for three weeks and then having a meltdown and eating everything in the fridges. For many, it's about strength-building or marathon training. For others, it simply means incorporating more healthy activity into their sedentary lifestyle.

Anyone who knows me knows that I don't exercise. At all. My laziness is a really unfortunate hairy mole on the face of my personality. I have a very pragmatic "I'm-going-to-die-one-of-these-days-anyway" view of the world, and while I don't use that attitude as an excuse to do harmful things to my body, I do use it as an excuse to ... let my body lie on the couch watching crime dramas.

One of the things that really turns me off to exercise is the enthusiasm of workout-lovers. You know what I mean. These people come out of the woodwork to guilt me for my inexcusable First World laziness. These are the people that tell me Milwaukee is the fattest city on planet Earth. These are the people who assure me that running every morning will bring me closer to Jesus. These are the people who promise me that I will have a better marriage and be a better, more "present" friend (whatever that means) if I hop on a treadmill every day.

This is why I love yoga. Oh, yoga: the pastime of hippies and stressed-out soccer moms alike, that blissed-out exercise of Hindu philosophers. It has no demographic, and so it bears no judgement. There's just something so delightfully zen about it (and yes, I realize that I'm mixing Eastern religions here). It's, like, 30% breathing, after all. I can get down with any workout regimen that includes something called "heart opening exercises."

As it happens, it's a good time to get into yoga in Milwaukee. This weekend is the opening of the new Tosa Yoga Center at 6734 W. North Ave., and they're hosting an open house and offering promotions. Milwaukee Power Yoga, 1924 N. Farwell Ave., is offering classes for the budget-conscious yogi with their Hot Vinyasa Happy Hour every Friday.

We also have a great yoga guide here at OnMilwaukee.com that you should check out if you want to start your New Year off with some relaxing asanas. Be sure to look up the monthly Yoga @ the Museum program at the Milwaukee Art Museum. And if you want a serious deal on a refresher course, try out Yoga for a Cause at Core Essence Yoga, 1437 E. Brady St., which requires only a $10 donation for each Sunday class during the month of February. All proceeds benefit Milwaukee Bicycle Collective.