A Brand New Year

	Meditate Your Way to 2007

Tired of the traditional New Year's Eve party, where all you do is have too much champagne in preparation for the ensuing morning-after headache?

Then look to some unique ways to celebrate that won't break the bank and will give you something interesting to talk about during brunch the next day.

And in a break with New Year's tradition, some of them will even make you feel good on the first day of 2007.

A Healthy Start

Run into the new year with the The New York Road Runners Association, which sponsors a 4-mile midnight race in Central Park. The event also includes a costume parade, dancing and fireworks; entry is $50.

This race is not about competition, and your time won't even be recorded.

There will be some prizes, though. The first-place prize is $500, second place is $300, and third place is $200. Cash and gift-basket awards will be given out for standout costumes as well.

All participants will receive a commemorative shirt and a special souvenir.

And before the run begins, get ready to boogie. A DJ kicks off dancing at 10 p.m., and the costume parade starts at 11 p.m.

For a quieter start, look to yoga studios across the country. Many conduct special events just to ring in the new year.

New York-based Universal Force Yoga is hosting an unusual celebration for the sixth year in a row.

The studio is completely transformed with lights and candles, says general manager Chris Merrill, and the festival consists of prayers, mediation and chanting for about an hour. The special class is being led by the founder of the center, Joseph Michael Levry.

"People are blown away after the experience," says Merrill.

"People come here to make a conscious choice to do something spiritual with the beginning of their year," Merrill continues. The effect of 100 people chanting and 100 people listening is both powerful and inspiring.

There is no alcohol served; the event is $75 at door and is capped at 100 people.

On the West Coast, Golden Bridge Yoga in Los Angeles is also having a mediation and Kundalini yoga session ($54; free for children under 11) to welcome 2007.

People will experience a half-hour meditation session up till midnight. After that, dancing follows until 2:30 a.m.

The studio moved to its current, much larger location a year and half ago, which made the festivities even bigger. The crowd is mixed, from singles young and old to entire families.

The event has been going on for several years, and it is guaranteed to sell out, says creative director Hari Parkash. Participants come seeking a special experience without having to deal with the overwhelming environment of drunken New Year's Eve revelers.

(It's actually quite dangerous to do Kundalini yoga, which uses intense breathing, while intoxicated, notes Parkash.)

This celebration gives people a healthy, open start to the year, Parkash explains.