Healthy mind

It's a common enough word, but with good reason: stress is one of the great modern epidemics.

Yoga improves our sense of wellbeing in manifold ways. It brings mind and body into greater harmony, improves our physical condition and promotes mental calm and focus. It is also a wonderful tool towards self-acceptance.

Yoga has a huge impact on our energetic body. Within the energetic body are dense areas of energy called Chakras - vortexes that help to channel energy or prana around the body.

For many practitioners and teachers, smell is an integral part of the yoga experience. At most dedicated yoga centres, students are greeted with the welcome scent of incense, and there is a deep-rooted reason why.

The word meditation can be loaded with preconceptions, perhaps conjuring up visions of monks sitting in lotus position. The reality is more prosaic. Lucia Cockcroft offers a simple guide.