Find extra power with Yoga routine

Celebrities such as Gerri Halliwell and Madonna have been extolling the virtues of Yoga for years but I always felt it wasn't my cup of herbal tea if you know what I mean. I also suspected their new svelte physiques had more to do with the fact they could afford personal fitness trainers and macrobiotic chefs. But when Sarah Fitzpatrick, membership manager at Topnotch Health Club in Bournemouth raved about their new Power Yoga class I agreed to give it a whirl.

Unfortunately it turned out to be one of the hottest nights of the year and I was in a bit of a lather by the time I arrived clutching my water bottle and towel. The fact that my instructor, Keith Grant, a tall angular Scot with a shoulder length plait, appeared in his promotional pictures to have the flexibility of Houdini didn't help either.

With growing apprehension I filed into the studio with the others in my group and we all started jockeying for position at the back until Keith encouraged some of us to move forwards. The class started with some gentle stretches . There's no music as Keith wanted us to listen as we breathed through our nostrils.

"It's a derivative of Ashtanga Yoga as practiced by stars like Madonna, Gerri Halliwell, Sting and Nicholas Cage but it is much more dynamic," he explained. "It is a combination of rhythmic breathing and flowing movements linking powerful postures."

We worked our way through a series of different moves gradually building up to a sequence of slow, controlled stretches. Each position had to be held for a while and although it was probably a few seconds some felt much longer than others!

But Keith kept an eye on us all and would gently correct our posture if necessary.To my surprise the hour flew by and we were packing up our gym mats in no time. I did feel very relaxed afterwards which makes a change for me because I usually finish an exercise class red-faced and exhausted. My arms certainly felt as if they had been given a work-out afterwards. I couldn't have punched my way out of a paper bag the next day. And Keith has built up a loyal following of yogis since he moved to Bournemouth from London last March. Deniz Topcu says she practices Power yoga about six times a week now.

"I'm really fit and honestly haven't been ill since I started Yoga two years ago. I haven't even had a cold. I have also lost weight. I don't know how it happens."

According to Keith , Yoga can help to treat many conditions from sports injuries, arthritis, insomnia, migraines, poor memory, depression and addictions to name a few. A former social worker, Keith used Yoga to help clients with physical and mental disabilities before setting up YogaCo. in 1999. He now runs classes and workshops throughout the region and is also a qualified Stress Consultant.

"Yoga is the original stress management system developed more than 5,000 years ago. It brings balance to all the body's systems, promoting physical and mental health and allowing the individual to achieve their full potential." he says.

by Nicky Findley - Echo Fit Club