Woman brings traditional Indian yoga to island

A woman who is hoping to share her culture with others has started traditional Indian yoga sessions in Jersey.

Rashmi Singhal, who is Indian, moved to the island earlier this year ago after living in Malta for six years, where she also taught this type of yoga.

Traditional Indian yoga focuses areas like breathing techniques and holding postures to improve physical and mental health.

She said she took up yoga to deal with a slight neck pain and had found it "helps you find that stillness in your body".

Patricia McMahon has started attended some of Ms Singhal's yoga classes after a friend recommended them to her.

She said "it's been great" and "the breathing exercises in particular have been very relaxing".

Ms McMahon added: "This has been really helpful especially when you're trying to relax after a stressful day at work".

Ms Singhal, who learned how to practise yoga in her home country, said the aim was to teach the sessions on the beach.

"It feels so much more powerful in nature," she said.

"You just show up and when you start practising over and over you will start getting flexible... having yoga in your life helps you find that stillness in your body."

Ms Singhal praised the wider community in Jersey for welcoming herself and husband Turban Banerjee to the island.

Mr Banerjee said he first came to Jersey two years ago for a work project.

"I went out to the beach in St Helier and immediately fell in love," he said.

"Everyone helps each other and we are really grateful and happy that we moved here."

Ms Singhal added: "People are so amazing, they're just so warm and people smile at you as you pass, which you don't find in a lot of other places."

More information on the yoga sessions is available on Facebook.

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