Standing On Your Head

There is a lot of mystique - and misunderstanding - about yoga.

Most think it's all about 'oms' and chanting - and standing for hours on end in unnatural poses.

I started doing yoga a few years ago, the idea being to slow down in an increasingly hectic life style. Can your relate to that? Most of us can - the pace of life has never been faster.
What surprised me - at the ripe old age of whatever I am - my tennis confidence began to improve. I also found I was moving better on court.

Have you ever watched Kim Clijsters movement on the baseline. Her centre of gravity is so low she can do the 'splits' and recover for the next shot. It seems almost unnatural - inviting all sorts of painful injuries. It was only recently I read she has been doing yoga from the age of 17.

Like Andy Murray, she practises Bikram yoga - 26 poses done in a minimum temperature of 105 degrees f. If this sounds a good idea to you, dont play around with the central heating - you could end up with massive gas bills and peeling wallpaper.

But yoga is all about breathing - and you don't need a hothouse to do it. When I'm stuck at traffic lights - a regular occurrence for most of us - I try to be aware of my breathing. It's amazing how calming it can be - and it passes the time!

Ps I have never actually stood on my head - well not literally!