New Year's Eve should be the most yogic holiday of them all: It's all about renewal and intention. But when we overload it with unreasonable expectations of once-in-a-lifetime parties, memorable events, and romantic encounters, we are often left disappointed. Maybe the party gets canceled. Or it's not particularly memorable. Or your date leaves in the middle—without letting you know. Then, when the clock strikes midnight, the only words we're muttering are: "More champagne anyone?"

Last year was the first year I took off my party shoes to roll out my yoga mat on NYE, and it was the best one I had yet! I went to hear Karma Moffett play Tibetan bowls at Yoga Tree Castro while Christopher Love led a beautiful evening of yoga. We were almost 100 in the room, but it didn't matter because it was a total bliss fest. If you are looking for a fun, spiritual, and alcohol-free way to start the year ahead, sign up for any one of these events and usher in a healthy and mindful 2008!

Where: Laughing Lotus
When: 10pm-midnight
What: New Year's Eve Midnight Yoga with Kate (celebrating yoga, music, and community)
How Much: $20
Sign Up: (415) 355–1600 or Laughing Lotus

Where: Yoga Kula (formerly Yoga Sangha)
When: 6:30pm-midnight
What: Indian buffet, kirtan with Benjy & Heather Wertheimer, and midnight yoga, intention ritual, and meditation led by Darcy Lyon and Richelle Donigan
How Much: $25 concert, $15 buffet. Yoga is free!
Sign Up: (510) 486-0264 or go to Yoga Kula

Where: The Yoga Studio
When: 7pm-beyond midnight
What: Bhakti Boombox New Years Yoga Jam (an Explosion of yoga, kirtan, and trance dance with M.C. Yogi, D.J. Tat Sat, kirtan artist Jaya Lakshmi, and percussionist Geoffrey Gordon)
How Much: $40 full evening, $60 trance dance only
Sign Up: (415) 292-5600 or The Yoga Studio

Where: Yoga Tree Hayes
When: 10:30pm-12:30am
What: New year's Eve Practice and Soiree with Chrisandra Fox (chanting, practicing, and snack-sharing with live music)
How Much: $25
Sign Up: (415) 626-9707 or Yoga Tree Hayes

Where: Yoga Tree Castro
When: 10:30pm-12:30am
What: New Year's Eve Yoga with Tibetan and Singing Bowls (a New Year's flow class to the vibrational sounds of Karma Moffett`s Tibetan Bell Experience)
How Much: $35
Sign Up: (415) 701-YOGA or Yoga Tree Castro

Where: Spirit Rock
When: 8:00 pm - 1:00 am
What: Another Year? We Just Had One: A New Year's Eve costume-friendly meditation and celebration hosted by Wes Nisker, Mark Coleman and Nina Wise with drumming led by master percussionist Barbara Borden and dance music by 5Rhythms DJ diva Davida Taurek.
How Much: $40 - $80, sliding scale, plus a donation to the teacher
Sign Up: Tel: (415) 488-0164 or Spirit Rock