Press Release

Teenage Girls Get Teenage Kicks From Yoga

Monday 15th October 2007

An outside observer would be forgiven and find it difficult, to see how trendy young girls from Shantallow would find Yoga as being interesting, enjoyable and a worthwhile activity to spend doing on a Monday night.

Previous to this programme being introduced these young teenage girls were finding it hard to get an interesting activity that they enjoyed, which would give them an option to messing about in the streets.

Teresa Bradley, Derry City Council’s Fit Futures Development Officer for the Community Sports Development Programme in the Outer North Neighbourhood Renewal Area recognised the gap in provision for Physical Activity for young teenage girls in the area.

Teresa stated, “We had recently introduced yoga programmes in Schools for young boys and girls and was astounded about how successful it was. Yoga has proved to be very popular and accessible to everyone. It is non-competitive and allows everyone the space to do their own thing. Following the success of the schools programme we introduced the idea to this group of young teenage girls who were initially sceptical but now in their second year of the programme, they look forward greatly to participating in the yoga programme”.

Laura McCloskey one of the participants said, “Yoga is just amazing, it is a really good physical workout plus being extremely relaxing and it gives us all the time to chill out - It’s a great atmosphere and a really nice place to be on a Monday night. I never miss it and I look forward every week to going to Shantallow Community Centre to do my yoga.”

John Bell, the yoga instructor has gained particular experience and evolved a unique approach for introducing yoga to young people. John Bell said, “Yoga first and foremost for young people must be seen as fun, when people come to these classes everybody knows that we are here to have a laugh, get some exercise and create a little bit of space and time whereby the outside world is left behind for one hour in the week. Everyone respects each other, respects each other’s space and we all progress at our own pace. I get great personal satisfaction from the delivery of these programmes because I see satisfied young people leave at the end of the night and come back through the door each week”

This programme runs in 12 cycles and any other young teenage girls interested in finding out more about this programme should contact Teresa at Sports Development, Derry City Council on telephone number 02871 361566.

Ends

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