When Suzanne Grace moved to California 10 years ago, she took it as an opportunity to create a new identity for herself. "Nobody knew who I was," she explained. "Nobody would ever have to know I had done dance all of my life." A dancer since she was 6 years old and a choreographer throughout her adult life, Grace decided to retire from dancing. "When we moved up here, I thought I was going to retire. I was done," Grace continued. "I didn't do anything dance-wise for seven years." After years of dance training and performances, Grace said her body needed a break - literally and figuratively. So she focused on the healing arts. During this time she studied and eventually began teaching yoga, Pilates and massage therapy. "It was very nurturing," she said. She relished being a student and studied the lynegar, Ashtanga, Kundalini and Taoist traditions. She did her primary teacher training at Yoga Works in Los Angeles. It wasn't long before she found herself on stage again. This time, however, she was performing meditative solo dances set to the music and words of Gary Malkina and Michael Stillwater. While living in Mill Valley, Grace had started offering a movement workshop for women with cancer. "It was a way for them to get out of what they're dealing with - to get back into their bodies," Grace explained. She describes the workshop as a "creative vehicle of expression - using the elements of earth, air, fire and water as inspiration. It's a journey through ritual, gentle yoga and dance movement, imagery and spontaneous creativity to joyously tap into the wisdom of the body and dance with spirit." The women were so moved and inspired by the workshops that Grace began performing solo dances at churches throughout California, at the Healing Journeys Conference in Seattle, Sacramento and Greenville, So. Carolina and the San Francisco End of Life Coalition as well as international conferences at Asilomar and in the Ukraine. When she's not performing, Grace teaches yoga and Pilates classes in Auburn and Weimar. She incorporates Chi Gung, meditation and chanting in her practice. Grace believes anyone can practice yoga, but it's ideal for anyone interested in health and wellness. In an effort to dispel any negative beliefs about yoga, Grace offers free introductory workshops. "Yoga has a huge affect on the nervous and immune system," she said. "When you're not in balance, you feel better." Since there are so many styles of yoga practice, she stressed the importance of finding the right one. "If you're inflexible, elderly or out of shape, don't go to a hot or advanced yoga class," she said. "You might end up being in the beginners' class for the rest of your life - and that's OK." What's most important, she said, is just showing up for the class. "What I like about yoga is I feel different, calmer. I don't react so quickly," she said. "My emotions can be more in control. I make healthy choices now." Practicing yoga also helps with breathing. "Breathing is a huge focus (of yoga)," she said. "Deep breaths help tone the internal organs and give oxygen to the muscles." Pilates can also help to condition the core muscles, improve posture and flexibility. "It is not high impact," she explained, adding it is usually practiced on a mat similar to yoga. "It's the mind/body way to approach exercise," she said. "Ninety percent of illness is stress-related. That's the beauty of it. It brings you back to your natural rhythm and balance." The former dancer turned yoga/Pilates instructor enjoys doing weird puzzles, visiting the California coast with her husband, Rex Rolle, and hiking. Her dream is to become an advocate for wellness. "I want everybody to understand they have responsibility for their own health. It is not about planning or relying on someone else. You have to take responsibility." It's certainly a lesson Grace has learned and applied in her own life.