New yoga classes turn up the heat on exercise

1:26pm Monday 5th May 2014 in Health, Beauty & Wellbeing

Yoga teacher Helena Byles at Stables Yoga Centre.

HOT yoga is an exercise trend to have become an international fad. Now York is to have its own classes. Kate Liptrot finds out more.

PROMISING a full body workout in a steamy 35 degrees celcius environment, hot yoga has become a hot trend.

With celebrity devotees reportedly including Kate Hudson, Gwyneth Paltrow and Andy Murray, the sub tropical sessions promise a physically challenging yoga class which could enhance the effectiveness of a workout.

With classes long established in London and opening in cities across the UK, hot yoga is now due to be brought to the recently opened Stables Yoga Centre in Nunmill Street where yoga-goers will work through 40 postures designed to strengthen and stretch the whole body systematically .

Teacher Helena Byles, a qualified hot yoga teacher who also teaches in Leeds and Iklley, said it will be accessible to everyone from beginners to advanced levels.

"You get nice and hot and sweaty, " she said, "Powerful hatha yoga classes build flexibility, strength and endurance. The heat permeates muscles creasing flexibility. It promotes sweating which is good for the skin.

"Hot yoga is great for building up stamina and focus."

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New yoga classes turn up the heat on exercise

The Ultimate Beginner-Friendly Yoga Sequence

When you're brand new to yoga, heading to a studio for hands-on instruction and expert supervision is the best way to build a safe and strong practice. With that said, if you're a little intimidated at the idea of your first class, we don't blame you. If you relate, this ultrabeginner sequence is designed with you in mind. It includes some of the most common poses you will see at any Vinyasa-style yoga class and will teach you how to transition from one yoga pose to the next. After moving through this sequence, you'll feel more confident before stepping into the studio for your first time.

Source: Shutterstock

The most important pose to have under your belt before your first yoga class? The oh-so-relaxing Child's Pose, of course! Child's Pose is the perfect place to reconnect with your breath and give your body a moment to recoup. Whenever you're feeling overwhelmed during class or your breathing feels shallow or harried, drop your knees, and hang out in Child's Pose for a few deep breaths. It will change everything.

Photo: Laughing River Yoga

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You'll be asked to step back to this upside-down V shape all the time during class! It will feel very active and difficult in the beginning, but with time and practice, you'll come to experience it as a resting pose. Do your best to let your arms and legs equally share the weight of your body. It's your best bet to feel stabler and more comfortable in Downward Facing Dog.

Source: Louisa Larson Photography

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Standing Forward Bend is another pose that looks like it's all relaxation, but you will feel a deep and intense stretch in your hamstrings and upper back. While the full expression of the pose calls for straight legs, if that feels like too much on your body, give a little bend to your knees to create more space.

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The Ultimate Beginner-Friendly Yoga Sequence

City Park turned into a gym for Womenzone aerobics

11:28pm Sunday 4th May 2014 in News

The work-out session in City Park

A Bradford-based health project got people young and old joining in with impromptu aerobics classes on Saturday.

There were contests to see who could spin a hula-hoop for the longest and the opportunity to try a selection of healthy foods.

The day formed part of a health project being run by Bradford-based community centre Womenzone.

Project co-ordinator Nadia Naim said: Its about taking exercise and gyms to the community, rather than waiting for people to come through the doors. We are taking it into City Park and encouraging people to think about making positive health changes.

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City Park turned into a gym for Womenzone aerobics

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FITTING TRIBUTE: More than 200 fund-raisers had an exhausting weekend at a sponsored aerobathon, right.

Yesterday's event at the King's Hall in Stoke, organised by the Jill Clewes Academy for Theatre Arts, saw participants take part in five hours of dance aerobics.

Proceeds will go to Cancer Research UK in memory of Alison Hughes, of May Bank, who died of breast cancer in 2009 aged just 34.

Fund treasurer, Jason McGill, said: "More than 200 people turned up and lasted the whole five hours. We've still got the sponsorship money coming in, but we are looking to beat the 30,000 we raised in 2012."

Inset, Jill Clewes is given a lift by participants Tom Clews, Adam Pye, Mark Hurst, Martin Rigby and Oliver Corbett.

Pictures: Phil Radcliffe

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King's Hall aerobathon in memory of May Bank woman Alison Hughes...