I first practised yoga in my twenties but gave it up when my children arrived and life became busy, busy, busy.

Eventually I came back to yoga and attended classes three times a week run by the formidable Miranda Michaelides, a renowned yoga teacher in the South of Manchester. It was Miranda who encouraged me to become a teacher and recommended that I study with Swami Premananda (an excellent teacher). I qualified by obtaining my British Wheel of Yoga Diploma in 2005. It was whilst studying for my diploma I became interested in Pregnancy Yoga. This sounded wonderful to me because my own experience of giving birth to my three children was to lie on the bed on my back and "hope for the best". It was an eye-opener for me that ladies were allowed to walk and move freely. I knew that I wanted to teach this and as soon as I passed my diploma I completed the British Wheel of Yoga's Pregnancy Module, delivered by Wendy Teasdill, author of YOGA FOR PREGNANCY and one of the UK's pioneers of this specialized form of yoga.

Soon after I completed my Diploma, Miranda retired from teaching at the grand age of 78 and went to live in Canada. She passed on two of her general yoga classes to me, one of which I am still teaching. My first pregnancy class was teaching pregnant teenagers at a specialized school in the North of Manchester which was very challenging but most enjoyable. As this was my only pregnancy class I was able to provide cover for other teachers in the area when they were ill, on holiday or having their own babies. In 2008 a colleague of mine Ted Marshall, AKA 'Yoga Ted' emigrated to Spain and offered me his pregnancy yoga classes which I was thrilled to accept.

I have no idea how many ladies have attended my pregnancy yoga classes in the since I took them over from Ted. One week I counted a total of 82 students in the classes. However many there have been, I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting them all, I simply love teaching the classes and it is a bonus when I receive e mails from them after they have given birth. Not everyone has the birth they desire, but whatever their experience, they all say how much they enjoyed the classes and how the yoga, breathing techniques and relaxation helped them. Teaching the pregnancy classes has given me the opportunity to sell a short relaxation CD, and all the money raised has been donated to Francis House, the children's Hospice in Didsbury, which at the moment has reached a total of almost £500.00.

I have also qualified in Laughter Yoga, which is not yoga, as we all know it, but exercises (no jokes) designed to make us laugh. Laughing is good for us and has been described as the best medicine, I run regular laughter workshops and if you would like to join us, the web site with up to date information is: www.laughteryogamanchester.co.uk

I would end by thanking everyone who has ever attended my classes and I wish you all a happy and healthy life.

Love and Laughter

Anna xxx