Planet yoga
Stories from around the weird and wonderful world of yoga
USA: The yoga boys
Hollywood actor Alec Baldwin opened up recently on his yoga exploits with a group of friends that included Sir Paul McCartney. He said the group of pals called themselves the ‘yoga boys’. But it wasn’t all fun and games in the boys club. While yoga’s not about achievement or aesthetics, some of the guys had a few choice words to the former Beatle after he dropped in some fancy headstands. “I never thought that I’d call one of The Beatles an a–hole,” said Baldwin, “but he was just always showing us up with his physical skills. He was a very fit guy.”
Italy: Ciao, puppy
Puppy yoga classes have been banned in Italy following an order by the Ministry of Health, which stated that only adult dogs can be used for classes from now on. The ministry said in a note that it was aware organisers often ‘borrow’ puppies from breeders. It said the new rules were designed to protect the health of animals, as well as the safety of attendees. It also asked regional authorities to carry out checks to ensure puppy yoga classes do not take place, in a move that was welcomed by Italy's National Board for Animal Protection.
France: Louvre love
The iconic Louvre museum in Paris has been hosting yoga sessions this year as part of the overall build up to the Olympics in France this summer. Named ‘Run in the Louvre’, the fitness programme invites participants to workout in some of the museum’s most famous areas, starting with a yoga session in the Cour Marly and Cour Puget. It’s a fine setting for a class, where the courtyard is decked out with sculptures originally from King Louis XIV’s chateau. No mountain poses in front of the Mona Lisa though, unfortunately.
Australia: Dance therapy
Yoga, as well as walking, jogging and strength training, ranked highest among exercise options as an effective treatment for depression, according to a recent Australian study — but dancing could be an upcoming trend. “Based on our findings, dance appears to be a promising treatment for depression, with large effects found compared with other interventions,” the findings noted. We might be getting ahead of ourselves here but there are already options out there to combine the two — so look out for dance yoga classes near you for a total mind-body boost!
USA: Power yogi
Silicon Labs, a leader in wireless technology, recently appointed Radhika Chennakeshavula — who’s also a certified yoga trainer — as its new chief information officer. As you’d expert, Chennakeshavula is passionate about all things health and wellbeing, as well as being an experienced yogi and qualified tech professional. She will drive her new firm’s digital transformation strategy, as well as expand its IT strategy with artificial intelligence and machine learning — and hopefully still have time to roll out her yoga mat at the end of the day.
Om Magazine
First published in November 2009, OM Yoga magazine has become the most popular yoga title in the UK. Available from all major supermarkets, independents and newsstands across the UK. Also available on all digital platforms.
