celebs

Madonna is famous for many things, including having a strong yoga practice. But reports last week have focused on the "veiny" appearance of her hands, blamed partly on her rigorous ashtanga yoga sessions.

According to a story in The Telegraph, Madonna's strict training regime, which includes "punishing" yoga sessions, is blamed for the appearance of her hands.

The Daily Mail was even less forgiving, describing the hands of the Queen of Pop as "gnarly and claw-like, and criss-crossed by numerous bulging veins."

Madonna reportedly trains with a mix of ashtanga, piltes and another exercise every day, alternating her third session between karate, running, cycling and horse riding.

Her veiny hands are not entirely surprising; exercise is known to increase blood flow, which can make veins in the arms and hands prominent.

Angelina Jolie has also been in the harsh media glare for veiny arms and wrists, reportedly caused by too much exercise without a proper diet.

Criticised for any sign of a bulge and now for having less-than-flawless hands, it seems the life of a celebrity is not an enviable one.

British tennis player Andrew Murray has credited Bikram yoga with giving him the mental strength to compete on the world sports stage.

The 20-year old Brit admitted that so-called 'hot' yoga gave him the psychological strength to beat other top players such as world number one Roger Federer.

Murray said: "(Bikram) has helped me a lot with my fitness and my mental strength because it's tough being in that kind of heat for that length of time."

Murray isn't the only sports person to swear by Bikram; footballers and martial arts specialists go regularly to improve their flexibility.

Model Elle Mcpherson and Bond star Daniel Craig are also thought to be fans of Bikram, which is performed in a room heated to 105 degrees. Peter Mandelson was even rumoured to have signed up to lessons (read the story here). 

Bikram Choudhury, the feisty, controversial founder of Bikram yoga, developed the series of 26 postures and two breathing exercises.

Despite protests from traditionalists disagreeing with Choudhury's somewhat brash approach, the style claims to be the fastest growing yoga school in the world, with over 700 studios worldwide.

Other stories on Bikram:

Bikram specialists compete for US title

Bikram yoga: friend or foe?

Singer Amy Winehouse has taken up yoga to help her fight her ongoing battle with alcohol and drugs. The British artist is practising Yogabeats with top teacher David Sye and has signed up for a six-month course, according to press reports.

David Sye is well known for Yogabeats - an upbeat style of yoga that has been described as "a cross between yoga, circuit training and a dance class."

The website goes as far as to say that this style of yoga is "unapologetically sexy, empowering and provocative, leaving you higher than a kite and flying for the rest of the week."

There is a strong chance Winehouse hopes this form of yoga will replace her psychological need for drugs with a natural, exercise-induced mood boost.

Twenty-four year old Winehouse has been suffering from alcohol and drug-related problems which have seen her hospitalised and sent to rehab.

David Sye launched Yogabeats after observing how children were unable to hold fixed static postures.

He began adopting slight, spontaneous movements within his own practice, and developed a funky, to-music-style of yoga that no doubt throws a chill down the spine of traditionalists.

"To me yoga not about being serious", Sye has said. "It's about feeling good."

www.yogabeats.com

Designer Stella McCartney is introducing Gym Yoga to her adidas by Stella McCartney range of sports clothing.

Styles include a tank top with a double layer effect in the bank, and low waisted yoga trousers.

McCartney says the range is inspired by ballet and dance: "I am so proud that this collaboration continues to grow with the introduction of yoga as a new highlight within the gym category", she says.

The Spring/Summer 2007 collection, due to hit 600 UK High Street stores in February 2007, will also feature running and swimswear.

Picture source: adidas

A yoga lesson with Gwyneth Paltrow has fetched £30,000, according to a report in The Mirror. The Oscar-winning star was shocked to learn that a fan stumped up the amount for her offer. She said: "Someone's spent a great deal of money on it so I'm going to have to really come up with an excellent plan".

The actress donated the prize for an auction in aid of Prince Charles' Prince's Trust 30th Anniversary - of which she is an ambassador.

She added: "Unfortunately I can't do it in the nude to make it really exceptional but I will try and come up with a good plan for a yoga lesson."

Paltrow is reputed to have been busy practising yoga to fit after giving birth to her second child, Moses, in April.