Style

Stretch it

West London is a yoga-heavy area. It’s likely that as many sun salutations are performed on the Hill’s patch every morning as in the entire Indian subcontinent – certainly involving fancier yoga mats and more elaborate dedicated yoga garments. But despite the area’s love of luxe living, one of the best local yoga centres is also one of the simplest. The three-year-old Special Yoga Centre, just north of the Harrow Road, is a family-oriented charity housed in a beautifully converted warehouse that’s dedicated to offering a variety of affordable, friendly classes with little in the way of frills but much by way of talent and dedication.

Set up by Jo Manuel, who was inspired by the positive effects of yoga on children with a variety of conditions such as Downs syndrome, autism, epilepsy and cerebral palsy, a large part of the centre’s work is with children with special needs. Yoga helps them increase their strength and flexibility and the act of thinking about movement can improve co-ordination and muscles. Many of the children are referred by Brent, and concessions are offered to those who can’t afford the classes.

As a charity, Special Yoga relies on constant fundraising activities to survive. Their annual auction raised an impressive £90,000 this year, thanks to generous donations from local artists and supporters, and the involvement of famous names such as Samantha Cameron and Gabby Logan. The next fundraising event is a pamper night on 26 September, where an assortment of local therapists will be offering their services at discounted rates of £5 for 15 minutes and £10 for 30 minutes. There will be manicures and pedicures, organic facials, massages, waxing, eyebrow shaping and other treats, as well as smoothies from Innocent and lots of friendly faces. The event has proved very popular in past years – so support the centre by having a massage and put it in your diary.