Sportsmen and women have only recently discovered how yoga can help (or even transform) their primary game by increasing strength and flexibiltiy, and minimising the risk of injury. But the secret is well and truly out.
On Sunday evening Ryan Giggs was voted BBC sports personality of the year. In his acceptance speech, he thanked his hatha yoga instructor for helping him maintain his standing as a leading football player.
Thirty-six year olds Giggs says: 'Yoga tests parts of youru body that you just don't use in football. The first time I did it, about five years ago, I was completely knackered. I went home from the training ground and slept for three hours in the afternoon.'
So yoga's just for softies? Giggs, and a growing number of sportspeople (the long list includes West Ham and England goalkeeper, David James and tennis players Peter Sampras and Andy Roddick), would be the first to say 'no'.
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Lucia Cockcroft, editor
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