Fit in with your flexibility

Aug 9 2009 by Helen Apsey

CELEBS love it, the stressed can’t get enough of it and it’s rumoured to fix everything from asthma to insomnia. HELEN APSEY takes a closer look at this ancient discipline of yoga and talks to renowned teacher Kate Harrell

THE popularity of yoga is growing in the North East, with more and more people using it to help them deal with the daily stresses of life, and to boost their energy. But with so many types of yoga out there, it can all get a bit confusing.

Workshop organiser and yoga enthusiast Joan Grant admits: “People do have some strange ideas about it.

“Some think you just go and lie on a mat and breathe for an hour and a half, and others think you have to stick your foot behind your ear. It’s very much more down the middle line.

“It’s a little bit of physical work and a little bit of relaxation.”

Kate’s yoga workshops will take place on Saturday, 5 and Sunday, 6 September . . . and the good news is you don’t need to be a contortionist to take part. The classes are suitable for everyone, from footloose beginners to lissome professionals.

Kate will be teaching vinyasa flow yoga, which is linked to breathing, and uses very flowing, gentle movements. “It’s just very cleansing, very relaxing,” says Joan.

Kate says: “Vinyasa flow yoga may be a new style for some people and I am really enthusiastic about the weekend and having the chance to meet and work with North East yoga fans at every level.”

So who can do it, and why the growing following?

“People come for all reasons . . . because they’ve had injuries, or because they just feel stiff, or want to be more flexible,” says Joan.