This is my favourite yoga place! It's just has this vibe of calmness, unity, and kindness. People…read moreof all levels are welcome - from complete beginners to super-advanced. The instructors usually give a few options of certain postures, so you can choose which one suits best to your current level. The studio has plenty of classes, offers retreats, meditation, gong bath events, all sorts of workshops. I strongly recommend you to try out a 90 min Jivamukti yoga class - it is hard work(especially if it's Andrea's class), but you feel really good afterwards. A 90 min lesson is 9 pounds, 1 hour would cost 8 pounds, and the first class is 5 pounds. They also have concession prices. Memberships are also available, they are quite pricey, at 75 pounds per month, but still a good value if you are a yoga junkie and go to the studio often. The studio has also a Facebook page, where they post about the schedule for the day, any changes or new events. If I have any questions, I usually send a PM there and normally receive a reply very quickly.

A really really cool yoga studio in the rather lovely Hale area. Just be warned though that if…read moreyou're trying to find the studio you need to go around the back of the high street and up the stairs to the back (I found this out my following random people in yoga pants thinking this may be a sign...) I was here for 'Maria Yogas' http://www.mariayoga.co.uk/ monthly candle lit yoga classes - 5-7pm on a Sunday evening. I've been attending Maria's classes for years and they're always excellent, chilled out yet flex you as much as possible and are great ways to get into yoga or take your practice further (you need to book ahead for these particular classes in advance - check out their website) I believe there's all sorts of classes on here, check out the main Hale Yoga website too.

The beauty of The Yoga Lounge is that they are offering something slightly different from bikram…read moreyoga - as the classes don't follow the traditional 26 poses. I feel as though classes are lot more organic, allowing the teachers to really work with the class - I swear I'm making progress already in my first two weeks! The teachers are really great, I love the variety, as each practitioner has their own flows and style of teaching. Everyone is super friendly and happy to give tips and advice after classes too. Specialising in hot yoga, the classes last between 60-75 minutes and at the moment they have three classes per day with two a day at the weekends. They also offer hot pilates, which is a great workout for your core. And plan to open a full pilates studio in the next month or so with Stott pilates, reformer and GYROTONIC® classes. It's a great set up, really well designed space and the hot room itself is a nifty piece of kit - using heat panels on the roof that allows for continual fresh air and a germ free environment to practice in (or I've been told it's something along these lines). There's an online booking system to ensure you get onto the class you want. The evening practices book up pretty quickly, but the lunchtime hour always has a few free spaces. Each class has a waiting list and for every wait list I have been on so far, I've been offered a space in the class. This is a more modern yoga alternative that fits really easily into a busy lifestyle, uniquely balanced to help improve both your fitness and inner calm.

I've never done any kind of yoga before coming to The Yoga Lounge. When you first walk in you…read moreimmediately know you're in a great space for learning how to connect mind, body and spirit. You can tell they've spared no cost, everything is top quality- the radiant heat panels, the studios, the changing rooms... A wonderful atmosphere and the teachers are warm and friendly, so even the newest yogi won't feel intimidated. I was looking for something to fit in with my life in recovery. As an ex-addict following a 12 step programme, spirituality and meditation are fundamental to my life, as well as keeping some kind of balance which is hard in 'normal life'. I struggle to concentrate in normal meditation, and find the self discipline. My first four weeks attending The Yoga Lounge have had a massively positive impact on my life and my mental well being. I've found my place and my thing in life here. The teachers are great, all with their own style and pace, and every week I've felt an improvement in my yoga though their amazing guidance in classes. Everybody needs to try this. I hope to progress and commit to yoga now, and couldn't think of anywhere better.

Manchester Buddhist Centre has been teaching Buddhism and meditation in Manchester since 1977,…read moretheir current location in Manchester's Northern Quarter is a short walk from Shude Hill Metro station. It is a vibrant and very modern urban oasis providing a much needed haven of calm for our City. The centre is laid out over four floors, the basement floor is a Vegetarian cafe and juice bar, the other floors provide space for the shop, meditation and Buddhist practises and teachings. The great thing about the centre is that anyone can come in and try out one of the classes, natural treatments and therapies or Buddhism courses. I went here with my best friend to try out some meditation, the environment in itself is calming and peaceful as soon as you walk in, after talking to the kind receptionist we decided to go in for some breathing meditation, the idea was that we would pick up some tips on remaining calm and focused. The class was easily picked up on, and I did not feel out of place or unsure of what I should be doing for the whole session. It was worth a million times over the amount I paid for the session.... and taught me (over time) a lot about myself... really, just from those few precious hours! I went with an open mind, without any prior experience or expectations and I left willing to look into the basic tenets of Buddhist teachings, which are..... nothing is fixed or permanent, actions have consequences and .... change is possible.

To meditate or not to meditate? Personally, I'd probably…read moreopt for a long bath or an afternoon walk on the beach if I wanted to clear my mind. If I was the kind of gal that was interested in experiencing a 'gentle but radical transformation' however, I'd follow in the footsteps of some of my friends and try one of the meditation classes at Manchester Buddhist Centre. A clean and spacious building in the Northern Quarter, it's usually quiet and tranquil with zen looking people popping in for classes. Prices are reasonable and you can sign up for individual classes or six week courses in everything from yoga and meditation to breathing and living well.

I've started my course now and I am very pleased with it. The teaching is good, the equipment…read moreexcellent - I feel no urge to bring my own mat next time - and the room was warmer this time and with a good positive vibe. I learnt a new pose and new variation, which I'm pleased about after 12 years of yoga practice. There was a nice yoga nidra session (exploratory yoga for the mind) and an interesting concept of writing down your emotions in adjectives, before, during and after practice. Only downer is that the class could have used some music, it was again a little hard to be in the zone with the heavy street traffic outside the window.

British Military Fitness (Bmf) held in parks across the country, run by X military personnel. If…read moreyou want to get fit, loose weight or just enjoy excersize out doors then you will love this HIT session, platt fields runs three sessions s week Tuesday and Thursday evening plus Saturday at midday each session last for one hour. During that time you will run jump burpee, sit up, press up and plank just when you thought it was all over you will run again . Bmf is very social st Platt Fields every knows each other. They arrange social gatherings it's a real team environment. Check out their website and come along the first session is free. You don't have to be am athletes to join its s fun way to get fit and meet people.

Since discovering V1ntage back in January 2012 I have dropped 2 stone. Originally I only intended…read moreto do one or two classes but I now attend classes at least 5 times a week! V1ntage is for people who don't do gyms and I love the ethos of the place. It really is a great community and very welcoming too. The timetable is varied with everything from vinyasa yoga to spinning and zumba. My favourite class at the moment is bums, legs and tums which has elements of a core strengthening and circuit class. While challenging I enjoy every class I do at V1ntage and they have a great team of instructors who will make you feel welcome. The weekend workshops such as endurance spin and spin yoga are fantastic. They also have kettle bell and Kombat classes. It's a bargain considering I pay less than £30 a month and can do as many classes as I want to. In addition there is no joining fee or contract which means you can basically cancel whenever you like. I throughly recommend V1ntage to anyone in Bolton.

This is a good gym with a good atmosphere. Plenty of equipment, great classes and a nice pool…read more The downside is trying to book onto classes. They are invariably booked up. Very frustrating. Parking can also be tricky and time consuming.

Everyone is aware of the excellent quality of gym service by Virgin Active and it needs to further…read moreintroduction! This Parrs Wood branch woes you away like any other and makes you believe that the membership fees were worth every penny. They're obviously stocked with the latest equipment and there might not be a single machine that you might want and they don't have. They also have a wonderful swimming pool and steam suana room to help you relax after that intensive workout! I love the sunbeds here too! It comes well packed with a cafe with internet access and makes your day a well spent one.