Little do the students of The Warren School, in Romford, know that their busy halls regularly transform into a relaxing retreat away from the strains of modern life. The yoga class attracts people from a range of ages and abilities, uniting them with their wish to exert their bodies, whilst soothing their minds.

Having been challenged to try something new, I popped down to a lesson and was taken aback by the immediately warm and welcoming environment, whilst being pleasantly surprised to discover the enthusiasm that people had while undertaking different positions. Being completely new to yoga, I was slightly apprehensive but soon realised that it didn’t matter whether I could make myself into a pretzel shape but was rather about discovering how the limitations I put on my body were more psychological than physical.

This workout like no other- and yes, it was definitely a work out- left me feeling healthy, revitalised and eager to go again. Considering that I was always one of those teenagers who dreaded P.E on a Monday morning, I wondered why it was that I was suddenly excited by yoga. Perhaps it was the way that Dionne, the yoga instructor, inspired me with her own remarkable story of how yoga really did manage to change her life. Or perhaps it was the passionate way that Patricia, a 60 year old lady who instead shockingly looks just 38, spoke about how yoga made her feel “healthier than ever”.

Dionne, the yoga instructor, was told by doctors, after having had five failed operations on her spine that she would never be able to walk again. The prospect of having to remain in a wheelchair for the rest of her life left her determined to prove the doctors wrong and, now in 2012, it appears that she managed to do just that. Maintaining a strict routine involving doing yoga up to 5 times a day she has proved herself to be an undeniably amazing, inspirational and indeed very flexible person as well as a great yoga instructor.

Yoga has left me feeling happier, healthier and wholly more relaxed, so go ahead, I challenge you to try something new; you never know, maybe you’ll find yourself bending towards yoga.

 

 

To find out more about yoga, contact dionnebarnes@live.com

 

 

 

Anisa Chowdhury

Woodford County High School