A hardy gathering of volunteers braved the cold to take part in a mass outdoor yoga class.
The group were put through their paces in Cathedral Gardens to celebrate the power of women around the world.
For 20 minutes they twisted and turned their way through a number of positions in a bid to raise awareness of the work Oxfam does with women.
The class was led by Eccles yoga teacher Sadhana Ali, 36, from Bangladesh.
She said: “Oxfam is a charity close to my heart because of the work it does in places like Bangladesh, Pakistan and here in the UK.
“Their projects empower women and educate the on how to have a better life in spite of their domestic problems.”
Sadhana said she embraced the unusual surroundings.
She added: “It’s fine - I had to do yoga with a brass band in Whitworth once.”
Manchester Oxfam campaigner Esther Fisher said: “Far too often women are told ‘don’t’, ‘can’t’ and ‘shouldn’t’.
“Instead, women do work hard every day, often to make ends meet in difficult circumstances.
“Seventy per cent of the world’s poorest people are women – despite the fact that they deliver 66 per cent of world’s working hours.”
Esther, 21, from the Northern Quarter, said: “The idea is to promote the Oxfam Do which is all about getting women to have a ‘bit of a do’ to raise awareness of women in poverty.
“They can do anything they find fun. We thought yoga would be a good way to get people involved.”
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What's this about Oxfam working with women in Britain?
She said: “Oxfam is a charity close to my heart because of the work it does in places like Bangladesh, Pakistan and here in the UK."
In its adverts asking for our money, Oxfam always shows pictures of black babies and so how come it is spending money here in Britain? I know we are getting like a third-world country, but surely we don't have to spend money given for overseas here in Britain. Is Oxfam becoming too politically correct?
Hi there Voter,
Oxfam works in the UK too as you can see from their website http://tinyurl.com/6l3zmc6
Unfortunately there are a lot more people, and especially women, who have to fights against destitution and poverty also in this country. The MEN itself published an article about it on 4th February-page 15. It was about a report that Oxfam published on destitute asylum seekers and refugees in the UK.
This is amazing! I'm impressed by the man in the blue who joined in - wish we had more like him!!
My boyfriend and I were on vacation in Manchester (we're from Denmark) and accidently passed by when this was about to start. I thought it was a good cause to support so I joined, however, my boyfriend kept in the background (and maybe giggled a bit ;o) )
Now I have also arranged for my first Do this Saturday; a bunch of girls are coming over and we're gonna play SingStar and dance - and later go and sing karaoke on the nearby pub !! :o)