Davina McCall loves yoga and so does Jackie and Mark Wren Davina’s personal trainers.

I was happy to teach Davina Yoga on her latest DVD, Davina Fit. I choreographed and wrote the Yoga stretch section. Davina loves keeping fit and Jackie and Mark see to it that she looks fabulous. Davina loves to practice all sorts of fitness techniques and yoga is one of many things she embraces. She loves lying in savasana (relaxation pose). I’m not surprised after presenting Big Brother. A lot of her energy goes into the programme, that’s why she’s so good at doing it.

The benefits of Hatha Yoga. What is Hatha yoga and what does it consist of?

The benefits of Hatha Yoga are that it calms the mind and body. It eases out tension in the spine relaxes and strengthens the heart and aids digestion. It builds confidence, full power of awareness and it creates inner peace by working with and using the postures, such as prana yama (breathing techniques), relaxation and meditation.

What does Hatha yoga do and how does it work?

Hatha yoga works by improving your health by strengthening the entire body and mind. It also releases tension.

Will I have a hot body by the end of the week?

No you will not. The body beautiful comes from within yourself and how you perceive it. What yoga will do is give you a strong lean body over a period of time. The body will lose weight, and it will become more flexible. Yoga is not a quick fix. By practicing Ahimsa, (non violence to yourself and your mind) the entire body system, (mind, body and soul will be greatly improved).

How often should I practice Yoga?

You should practice yoga as often as you can. When you are first starting out it is far safer to go to a local yoga class and have supervision then you can get the feel of it. Don’t do what I did. I bought a book that said that I could learn yoga within two days. I don’t think my body ever got over that one! Unless you want to spend hours in the A and E department, I strongly advise that when you first practice yoga work with a teacher. The more you practice the better your mind and body will feel.

I haven’ got Time.

Make time. Love yourself enough to make time for you. Become healthier because you want to live in your body a lot longer, besides, where else are you going to live? Your body is your house, and your home, look after it.

I attend a class every week, and everybody can do the yoga postures with ease whilst I’m still struggling - when am I going to get my poses perfect?

A pose is achieved when there is no effort in the actual practice of it. Your body is your best guideline. When you can bend forward and touch your toes without being in agony then the pose is achieved. Remember, practice Ahimsa non-violence to yourself. Do not let the ego cloud your judgement. What I mean by this is don’t let what others can achieve in the class make you have fear for yourself. Celebrate the fact that you’re attending a class, and know that in time you will be doing the postures with your eyes closed and with no effort.

But I don’t like the class or the teacher.

If over a period of time, say a month or so you’re not feeling that you should be attending this particular class then move on. Your intuition will guide you to the right one. The universe will get you there. When you want something to happen in your life you’ll get it. So visualise positive things and good things will happen. Think negatively and the universe will answer your thoughts by sending a whole bucket load of more negativity. The thought is the deed.

Will I experience a cleansing crisis when I practice yoga?

It varies. By experiencing a cleansing crisis you might have aches and pains your digestive system is stimulated when practicing some poses so you might go to the toilet a lot more. (Bowel movements). And ladies and gentlemen you might fart a lot or a little. Old energy is shifted in the body. You Might feel some nausea, bit fazed out. Old emotions might come to the surface and you might feel like crying or might have feelings of anger. When I first started mediating I couldn’t sit still for two minutes let alone five. And when I did become still I wanted to cry. So I used to get up and throw the cushion I’d been sitting on to one side and get up and keep busy. Because then I didn’t have to face what was really on my mind. When at last I could sit still I used to experience all sorts of feelings, elation, joy, upset, self-awareness, peace and all that and a bag of chips (or French fries depending on what side of the Atlantic you’re living on) Give it a try you might like feeling and learning about who you are instead of keeping yourself super busy and never knowing what makes you tick.

Where can I come to your classes Jassmine?

I teach Yoga on Tuesday evenings at Westerham Village Hall Surrey
Between 7.45 P.m and 9.30.P.M its £9 just come along and drop – in. Mats are provided if you haven’t got one. If you’re new to the class come five minutes earlier so you can fill in a health screening form.

I teach at Life Line Fitness in Redhill Surrey (in the Belfry) On Wednesday afternoons (just drop – in). Between 1.30 P.M and 2.30 P.M. Also in Lifeline I teach on Saturday mornings between 9.Am and 10. 15 AM. This class is also in Redhill. Don’t be nervous just come along we’re a friendly bunch. Namaste x

Love Jassmine.