YOGA is growing more popular than ever, with a new following of celebs and athletes promoting its powerful benefits.

Celebs seeking to look lean and toned, athletes wanting to improve their sporting performance.

Yoga improves functional mobility and range of movement, flexibility, strength, tone, stability, focus, energy...I could carry on all day!

Having taught and practised yoga myself for many years, I have seen the improvements for myself in the vast array of people I train.

Anyone who goes to the gym or participates in a sport can use yoga to improve their performance or results.

Yoga can be adapted for the elderly or less able to improve mobility, improve circulation and flow of oxygen to the muscles.

Yoga can be fantastic for children too, for developing movement, strength, focus and coordination.

So please, don’t think that if you can’t touch your toes or do the splits then yoga isn’t for you!

You can adapt the movements used in yoga to your own speed and level and still give your body a fantastic workout, with results that you may not get from other forms of exercise.

With the everyday stresses of life, sometimes it pays to take a moment to refocus.

Yoga promotes relaxation and calm but will also help develop mental strength and focus.

Yoga poses are generally slow and controlled, which forces you to focus on the moment, on what your body is doing and on how it feels.

Your coordination and body awareness are heightened.

This, combined with breathing techniques, helps to clear your mind and rid your body of toxins.

Yoga usually involves some form or relaxation in which you can switch off.

Posture and core strength quickly improves with practising yoga. You may change from somebody who slumps or slouches to a strong, confident person who appears much slimmer.

Improved posture and core strength will also enable you to get more out of your other workouts, whether they be in the gym or other places. Give it a try!

To get in touch with Claire, follow her on Twitter @CLKpt or email ckopicki@ me.com