Yoga – I have mixed feelings about it. When it’s good, it’s very good and I get to show off my scarily flexible shoulders and hips from my gymnastics days and feel the strength in my thighs in warrior pose.
And the pigeon is one of my favourites for running as it loosens my IT bands.
When it’s bad I have a tutor getting cross at me because I can’t manage to support my weight in a crane pose. You have seen me, right? Being pear shaped, this was never going to happen.
But it’s so hugely beneficial and I’m not going to let one poor tutors eyesight, ruin the rest of it for me.
Which is why when the OM Yoga Show offered me a pair of day passes to give away to you readers, I nearly snatched their hands off.
The show takes place at Manchester Central from 10 – 11 May 2014 and is a great introduction to the ancient Indian practice of yoga, which is renowned for relaxing the body and de-stressing the mind. It’s also suitable for all ages, sizes and abilities, so you don’t have to be Elle MacPherson to do it. Again, you have seen what I look like, right?
There’ll be over 40 free yoga sessions over the weekend, there’s a YogaMonkey Swing Area (I don’t know what this is, but I want to see), Yoga Disco! (again, count me in) and top Yoga presenters including Bee Bosnack, Andrea Everingham, Nicky McGinty and Yogi Ashokananda.
And something that I’d heard of in London, HotPod Yoga sessions.
There are over 100 exhibitors showcasing the best yoga, Pilates, complementary therapies plus a fantastic range of yoga accessories, clothing, jewellery, superfoods and this year they are offering all our visitors to the OM Yoga Show the chance to visit the Mind Body Soul Experience at no extra charge.
The Mind Body Soul Experience covers complementary health, spiritual awareness and personal development and it is the largest show of its type in the UK. The central feature of the show is the Stage Experience where you can try out a variety of fun activities including Zumba, Tai Chi, Bollywood Dance, Hula Hooping, Belly Dancing and even Salsa.
Hula Hooping and Salsa? Yes, I’ve booked my tickets.