the buzz log

If the economy has you down, consider going into downward dog. Yoga, the Indian discipline that combines deep breathing, meditation, and stretching poses, has an added benefit for the economically pressed: sanctuary for the stressed.

The yoga coordinator for Crunch gym confirmed the increase of attendance with the decrease of the stock market. "A yoga practice becomes a refuge from the negativity of an economic recession, and the studio becomes the sanctuary."

Both yoga and its cousin Pilates (developed by Joseph Pilates with exercises that focus on strengthening the core) are finding followers in Search, who have turned to their computers to turn over a new leaf.

Searches for "yoga classes" shot up over 100% in the last 30 days, along with "yoga poses," "types of yoga," and even "anti-gravity yoga."

Those who want the sinew of Madonna would be advised to head to the yoga studio. The pop star said she's addicted to the practice, striking a pose seven days a week. The Material Girl admitted to People.com, "I could've been a member of 'Cirque du Soleil.' It got to the point where I didn't have a glass of wine and I had to go to bed early because everything was around my yoga."

A poll commissioned by Yoga Journal, found that 11 million Americans do yoga occasionally and 6 million perform it regularly. These days, you don't have to go far to get your Om on. Wii Fit offers yoga instruction right to your game console. Other side benefits: One book boasts that yoga can improve your sex life.

While yoga is popular, Pilates has its own cheerleading section in Search. It's the secret behind Jennifer Anniston's killer bod. And the San Francisco 49ers are reportedly fans, too.

Pilates requires a machine invented for the practice called the "reformer" whose pulleys and stirrups help it resemble an ancient torture device. And while it may feel that way, it's pushing your body into submission through a series of resistance exercises that work on muscle strength, spine alignment, and breath control. Searches on "malibu pilates," "pilates equipment," and "zone pilates reviews," filled the search box in the last 30 days.

Despite the grim economic climate, the forecast for fitness is looking up.