A Springlands woman is answering the call of wives and girlfriends in Marlborough by encouraging their men to get off the couch and on to a yoga mat.

Trudy Hennessy, of The Yoga Room, is starting a men-only yoga class after receiving phone calls from women complaining about their partners' bad backs and general inflexibility.

The five-week course, at Spring Creek Community Centre in Ferry Rd, starts on Wednesday, June 27.

Ms Hennessy said each session was a full-body, cardiovascular workout.

There were lots of ways to practise yoga, she said.

"Each personal teacher brings a different style to yoga and I bring an energetic style. People are blown away. It's pretty challenging and people are overwhelmed by the results. Especially when they take it into the functional world and apply it to their sporting activities like running or cycling."

People had faster rates of recovery and increased endurance levels, she said.

"They will build strength, stamina, flexibility and possibly discover muscles they didn't know they had. They will also learn how to relax and de-stress, leaving the class feeling rejuvenated and energised."

Men who had attended regular classes had become committed "yogis", Ms Hennessy said.

Yoga was very different from a gym session, she added.

"In the gym people are focused externally on pumping up their muscles. In yoga, we focus internally and bring awareness to what is happening in your body"

And if anyone knows the benefits of yoga, it's Ms Hennessy.

She has been practising yoga for 20 years since a back injury made her explore options to assist her recovery.

Ms Hennessy was suffering from severe muscle degeneration and needed two spine infusions, one 30 years ago and one in 2002.

The injury was aggravated by two pregnancies in quick succession during her late 20s , she said.

"My spine was like a tree in the wind with no muscles to support it. My curiosity around how to prevent further degeneration led to various remedies, all led by [health] professionals who said it was something I would have to live with for the rest of my life."

Ms Hennessy said there had been a 50 per cent chance the surgery would leave her in a wheelchair.

"It was a huge decision to make as a young mum but my quality of life was pretty rubbish. I spent a lot of time on my hands and knees in those days."

Ms Hennessy wished she had found yoga earlier in life. "It's been life-changing and very little holds me back now. I'm incredibly grateful for yoga but it is an ongoing journey personally."

The five-week introductory men's course costs $85. Those registered can also attend any of The Yoga Room's regular classes free during the five-week programme.

To register call Trudy Hennessy on 5796036 or 0272121966.

- The Marlborough Express

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