Taking care of the body through simple, natural remedies is the focus of a series of three classes sponsored by the YWCA.

The classes started on Monday and will continue each Monday until Nov. 16.

The first class, titled “Weight Management,” was intended to focus on the advantages and disadvantages of the modern diet. Using foods, fats and herbs as a way to maintain and regulate weight also was discussed in the program.

Sveltana Shabalovskaya, an associate for the Ames Laboratory, is teaching all three classes.

“The advantage of these classes is to be able to take care of yourself on an everyday basis by using simple, natural products to take care of everyday problems,” Shabalovskaya said.

Shabalovskaya said another advantage of the classes is that much of the material covered is not available in America.

“They can offer different approaches that are not traditional and not available to English-speaking people,” Shabalovskaya said.

Despite the low turnout of only three people at the first class, Shabalovskaya said she was still satisfied with the class. However, more people are expected to attend the second class, she said.

Allison Mikkelsen, YWCA public relations coordinator, said people should pre-register for the class.

“Right now, the numbers are small, and we need to let people know that the classes are being offered since we have never offered a class like this before,” she said.

The second class, which will be held Monday, will focus on how to use herbs to prevent illness and ailments, such as the common cold and stress.

The final class, which is scheduled for Nov. 16, will discuss the prevention of diseases through a Chinese nutritional herb principle. It also will cover the regenerating of health through balanced eating.

“I will explain and give recipes that don’t exist here,” Shabalovskaya said. “It is easy to get success from these remedies, but people just don’t know how to do them.”

Shabalovskaya said the classes are not tailored for either gender, and both men and women can benefit from the class.

“Some men are more obsessed than women about appearances, but women have more of a tendency to take better care of themselves,” Shabalovskaya said.

The classes are held from 7 to 9 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 200 Lynn Ave. The cost is $20 for all three classes, $15 for two classes and $10 for one class.