Scotland is in lockdown. Shops are closing and newspaper sales are falling fast. We're not exaggerating when we say that the future of the Dumbarton and Vale of Leven Reporter is under threat.
Please consider supporting the Reporter in whatever way you can – by paying just 85p for a copy of the paper, when you're shopping for essential supplies for yourself and others, or by subscribing to our e-edition here.
Thanks – and stay safe.
...............................

AN ALEXANDRIA-BASED yoga instructor has been keeping locals active with online classes.

Virginie Ferguson runs Clan Yogis, which offers yoga classes for adults, children and families.

A mission statement on her website reads: “To change the current and future generation’s quality of life, creating healthier and happier communities, one namaste at a time.”

Virginie told the Reporter: “I’ve been teaching since October 2017, and I saw that my daughter was interested, so I thought it would be a nice way to bring to the whole family. I’ve set up a small yoga room in my garden to teach from.”

Normally, Virginie teaches her classes face-to-face, but with Covid-19 forcing the country into lockdown, she has had to resort to other measures – utilising the internet to get her yoga classes out to a wider audience, even as far as the southern hemisphere.

READ MORE Stay active with Dumbarton's fitness buffs

Virginie added: “I’ve kept my classes going online using Zoom meeting room to teach.

“I give some free and some paid classes to help the local community, but that reached all over the UK and even as far as New Zealand.

“There’s a few different classes on there as well as early morning classes for adults so people can still practice before the kids get up.”

Yoga is understood to have its origins rooted thousands of years ago in Hindu philosophical traditions, and is said to support a healthy body, reduces stress and anxiety, increases self confidence, reconnects mind and body and even promotes a good night’s sleep.

“People have been pleased with the online classes,” Virginie added.

“Yoga is a difficult one when you need peace and quiet where you’re trying to bring focus on yourself. You need a quiet space to do it.

“They’re loving to be able to keep it going.”

And with the coronavirus outbreak taking its toll on people’s mental health, Virginie admits that yoga can be a big help in calming down.

She said: “I would say that now more than ever that yoga is needed. It helps with physical and mental health.

“If your mind isn’t right, your body isn’t right either. I think it’s crucial to be doing yoga at this time to give your brain and body the space it needs. It’s going to help a lot of people.”

For more information on Virginie and Clan Yogis or take part in the online classes, then visit clanyogis.com or search for Clan Yogis on Facebook.