Meet the yoga teacher helping Leeds 'keep a positive head' with online classes during coronavirus isolation

Polly Standeven, owner of North & Soul yoga, was forced to cancel her classes when her Otley studio closed last week.

Wanting to give something back to the community during the crisis, Polly has launched a full schedule of free online yoga classes, recorded everyday on Facebook.

The classes range from active sequences to meditation and Polly hopes they will bring a touch of positivity into people's homes when they are stuck in isolation.

Polly, 34, said: “I know people are struggling financially, so I wanted to give them something to provide them with some sanity and help their mental wellbeing and physical health.

“We’ve had a massive response, people have loved it and have joined in from all over the world!

“People often feel embarrassed to join a class or they may suffer from social anxiety or depression, I came into yoga from that place and I was unsure about going to a class.

“So this is a really good opportunity to take yoga to the people who need it the most, in the comfort of their own home."

Polly is hosting two full classes every weekday, with each day dedicated to a theme of yoga - Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Hatha or Kundalini.

She encourages everyone to get back into old hobbies or learn new ones to keep positive during an uncertain time.

Polly added: “Yoga can boost your immune system as well as help with mental health problems, which may be increased with the lockdown.

"I’d really encourage everyone to find an opportunity of positivity in a time where it can be very negative.

“Keep a positive head and do stuff that helps others.

“It’s a good chance to reset, get back into hobbies and learn new things - also a chance to help people out in the community. Giving back makes everyone thrive.”