Stretching it: Give Yoga, Pilates or Tai chi a go

10 | HEALTH If you’d like to feel fitter and be a bit healthier, but you’re not a fan of anything that involves Lycra or lifting anything heavier than a glass of Merlot, then it’s worth exploring yoga, Pilates and Tai chi.

Tai Chi helps prevent falls as we age and has been shown to help reduce waist sizes and improve arthritis symptoms while yoga is now preferred over painkillers for managing chronic pain, according to NICE, the UK medicines authority.

Don’t worry if you’ve spent the past year and a bit on the sofa and haven’t moved further than the front door, or if you carry an old injury. All three forms of exercise are very adaptable, making it easy for those with restricted movement. You’ll gain flexibility and core strength as well as improved physical and mental wellbeing. There are classes in all three disciplines in many of our towns and villages as well as in the city, including several run by physiotherapists who are also qualified instructors. It’s best to do an online search to find a class at a time and location to suit, but here are some worth considering…

Yoga classes Pilates classes Tai Chi classes

Louisa Yoga (louisayoga.co.uk) Louisa offers classes in Aberdeen and Stonehaven. She’s also one of the country’s most highly regarded yoga teacher trainers.

The Wallace Practice

(wallacepractice.co.uk) offers classes by Zoom or at their Seafield Road clinic.

Reform Pilates (reformphysio.net) offer classes in Cults and online. Ruyi School (ruyischool.co.uk) offers online classes and will be resuming live classes when possible.

Maybe now’s the time to get back in shape?

Emma Ross ( hotyogaaberdeen) offers Hot Yoga at Urban Wellness Hub in Bridge of Don, but is online only for now.

Calm Cool (calmcool.co.uk) is on Chapel Street and offers Yin Yoga, Breathwork, Meditation and Sound Healing.

MSK Therapy Sports and Injury

(msktherapyandsportsinjury.co.uk) have online classes or live classes and 1-1 sessions available in East Tullos.