I am often asked how Brian Dorfman and I become friends, and ultimately, how PureFit become the exclusive supplier of Brian’s “Flexibility Training” and “Lower Back Basics” DVDs and travel books.

Brian and I met in a spin workout class in 1993, which was right around the time I found myself immersed in the sport of Duathlon. Despite being total opposites, we quickly realized that we shared at least one common interest: helping people get into shape and maintain healthier lifestyles. That very familiar characteristic propelled us to quickly appreciate and respect one another.

Around that same time, Brian taught what was probably the first “yoga for athletes” class in the nation. He called it “Stretching for Athletes,” and boy, did the athletes show up. Steve Scott and Paula Newby-Fraser were regulars, as were other nationally ranked runners, triathletes and others. What Brian was teaching was really yoga, but in 1993, people thought yoga was for weird guys from India. Personally, I hated every class… I thought it was a wasted workout. Why stretch when I could be out running or cycling? Even though I didn’t know it at the time, the answer was simple: Life in general is hard on the body. Regardless if you are a marathon runner or a soccer mom who is always on the go, life tightens the body. Yoga opens the body so it can move freely, without pain or injury.

I’ve never met anyone who has done more than four or five yoga classes and now hates it. It might take a couple of classes to find an instructor you like, but I strongly doubt it. Most yoga instructors are the nicest people you’ll ever met. They seriously care about your well being. For that hour to an hour-and-a half, they want you to escape from your crazy life and get in touch with your body and your very reason for being.

When Brian approached me several years ago to help him distribute his Flexibility DVD, I was flattered. Brian Dorfman is the nation’s leading authority on flexibility for athletes, and when he told me that he wanted to take stretching and flexibility to the masses, I said “Let’s do it!” To date, PureFit has sold thousands of Brian’s DVD’s and travel books, and with the launch of our new website and online store just days away, we’re excited to sell thousands more in the years to come.

If you’ve never watched one of Brain’s videos, check out a sample at BrianDorfman.com.