A MARATHON yoga session is being held in Glasgow as part of an ambitious project to encourage healthy lifestyles in communities across Scotland.

World renowned yoga expert Swami Ramdev Ji is jetting in to the city to lead the two-and-a-half hour event, which is expected to attract thousands of devotees from throughout the UK.

The mass yoga class will be staged at the Emirates Arena, the new multi-million pound sports venue, which has been built in Dalmarnock for next year's Commonwealth Games.

The event is being held on Monday, September 23, from 6pm and has been organised by the Glasgow-based charity Patanjali Yog Peeth (UK) Trust. Admission is free.

The Trust's Sunita Poddar said: "Everyone who participated in and enjoyed Swami Ramdev's memorable visit to Glasgow in 2007 will be delighted he is returning to a city which was so receptive last time around.

"His is a truly international ambition to spread the benefits of yoga to as wide an audience as possible."

"The benefits of yoga are steadily becoming more widely understood and there is no shortage of people in the UK keen to develop techniques which can have such an important bearing on one's spiritual and physical health."

Mrs Poddar says the techniques promoted by the charity at regular free events in Glasgow can help reduce stress, improve circulation, boost joint health, strength, agility and body tone as well as helping to regulate weight and boost the immune and digestive system with enhanced energy, concentration and flexibility.

She added: "This special event is centred on the mantra that good health is humanity's birth right.

"Importantly, the free event further supports Scotland's drive to become a healthy nation and will unify communities across the country.

"The diverse turn out of all ages and background at our free on-going classes clearly indicates the keen interest shown by Scots to improve their mental, physical and emotional wellbeing."

Enthusiasts who want to attend the Glasgow 2013 Yoga Arena marathon are asked to register on line at www.yogarena.org for a free ticket.

Details of free yoga classes in the city are available from the charity at www.pypt.org or by phoning 0141-420-1192.

gordon.thomson@ eveningtimes.co.uk