Yoga is a growing form of exercise and grew by 18 per cent last year. As the global recession has taken hold, many people are looking at ways of reducing stress in their lives and are improving their quality of life. Initially, most people in the West come to yoga for the poses (asana). However, there is also a great deal of media exposure about celebrities who practice yoga on a regular basis. Stars such as Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow, Sting and many more are known to practice some form of yoga, and, given their popularity, people may have come to consider them as examples to follow. Once on the yogic journey many students start to realise that, apart from toning their bodies, some other changes have started to happen. They feel calmer and have more clarity, feel less stressed and more energised. By practising breathing techniques (pranayama), you can have more control over your mind and body; all this while still living in the city.