Dedee Benrey designs seminars in yoga and the healing arts for the New York Health and Racquet Club, including Yoga for Two. Drawing on a repertoire of simple yoga asanas (poses) and Eastern massage techniques, she shows couples and friends how to work together for better balance and enhanced stretches.

"Your body develops a sense memory of getting a greater stretch. Your partner becomes like an added muscle for you," says Dedee.

For example, in the traditional "Tree" pose, you stand on one leg with the other foot pressed against the inner thigh and the hands in prayer position. More advanced students then close their eyes.

Concentration. Trust.
"Alone, you might not have the mental or physical concentration to do it. When you press your hands with your partner’s, and you trust each other, it gives you a chance to get into the majesty of the pose."

Dedee encourages couples to incorporate partner work and yoga within a regular exercise routine. Yoga gives flexibility to the muscles you’ve built in strength training. Its peaceful and energizing poses can wake you up and prepare your body for a morning run, or wind you down after a long day.

"It’s a non-threatening way of working out together. I love hiking, but if I were with somebody who doesn’t enjoy it as much, they might be 10 paces behind me," Dedee explains. "If I’m into yoga and my partner is not, that would be a problem, too. But if a couple is helping each other to create a new pose, adding extra strength and learning new trust, it becomes more than an exercise."

Breathing and Touching
Partner work goes beyond stretching and balancing. Breathing is a very important part of yoga, and Dedee has her students try to harmonize their breath with each other, to connect even more.

Touch becomes a dominant element as you exercise together. "Any time you touch, you’re exchanging energy," says Dedee. "I encourage my students to use a gentle touch and communicate about how far they want to stretch. There’s nothing attractive about being needy or grabby in a relationship, and it’s the same in Yoga for Two."

This shared energy carries through after the physical activity is done. "Part of yoga is doing wonderful things for the world at large, and especially for your significant other. That might mean special nurturing rituals, like making healthy foods. Make some fresh squeezed juice together in the morning.

"When two people start becoming one unit, a sense of cooperation and connection begins to take over. When people do partner work in yoga, they learn that the final product is greater than what they can do individually."

Motivation and Endurance
Bonne started running with her husband Vinnie when they were engaged. She always pushes him an extra mile, and he kept her motivated when she was training for the marathon last year, accompanying her on every run.

In Bonne’s experience as a trainer, she has found that differences in fitness ability can cause frustration on both sides, so she suggests a compromise. "If you’re more fit than your partner, be the role model. Give encouraging words. Use healthy competition. Let the person who is going slower set the pace, because you will still be getting a good workout."

Be Supportive
If the slower person sets the pace, you’ll be working in your heart-rate zone and burning calories, and eventually you’re both going to get to the same level. Show support in the meantime.

Towards the end of their run, Vinnie will say to Bonne, "Okay, kick it up." Then he’ll walk. They always run on a path where they can stay close by, whether in the park or on a track. "If he’s the one that’s better, understand that, and let him go ahead at the end of the run."

Despite the benefits of working out together, there are still days when you will get a better workout on your own. Especially when you’re planning your wedding, exercise time can be a welcome release.

Morning Runs
Ed and Catherine Sim started working out together before their wedding last fall. "Both of us have really hectic schedules, and it’s nice to get up early in the morning and go for a run in the park," says Ed, a venture capitalist who invests in early stage Internet companies.

"I’m not a huge fan of running. I would rather lift weights or play basketball, but Cathy gets me up in the morning. It feels refreshing, and it’s nice to spend time together like that."

Catherine, a psychiatric social worker at St. Luke’s Hospital, says the motivation works both ways. "After work, when I don’t feel like doing anything, Ed will get me motivated. In terms of running, Ed has helped me with speed, and I’ve helped him with endurance."

In the summer months, they add windsurfing and tennis to their routine, and now Ed is teaching Catherine basketball.

Strength in the Park, at the Gym and Elsewhere
Bonne recommends a number of fun strength training exercises for couples to include when they’re in the park together or at the gym.

She shows Catherine and Ed ways they can add resistance and support for each other with simple push-ups, pull-ups and arm raises.

And if you want to have fun while building muscles, invest in a medicine ball. Surprisingly, a simple game of catch with a 10-pound ball will help define your arms, back, abs. and legs.

Of course, the simplest thing is to spot each other while weightlifting, or even just use machines near each other.

"I think there’s a macho push with men when they do strength training with a woman around," Bonne says. "They want to lift heavier weights.

"There’s a testosterone rush when they think, ‘Honey, look how much I can lift!’ ? And then there’s an added bonus.

"There is an increase in a man’s testosterone level with physical exertion, which will make him more aroused," Bonne adds. "Both of you also release pheromones. And you feel more comfortable naked."