POLISH speakers can now sign up for yoga classes in their native language.

New classes have started on Fridays at The Yoga Rooms, on Barlow Moor Road, Chorlton.

Polish yoga teacher Aga Rzekiecki decided to set up the classes because she wants her fellow countrymen and women to have the chance to learn the discipline in their own language, making it easier for them to get the most out of the exercises.

Aga, 28, said: "I decided to teach first in my mother language, because I want to give the opportunity for those polish people who would like to do yoga but the language barrier is too big to go to English classes.

"There are a lot of polish people in Manchester, and I think that many of them will be interested in doing yoga.

"Yoga is the greatest gift from India to entire human community, and doing it regularly purifies the body and mind, and removes toxins and diseases from the internal organs. The body becomes healthy, light and strong."

Aga came to the city two years ago to learn English and find new opportunities for her life. She has been practising yoga for four years and has studied in her hometown of Bytom, southern Poland, as well as making a two-month trip to India to learn from respected teachers there.

She said: "On my yogic way I have been fortunate to meet many inspiring teachers and study different styles of yoga. I was lucky to be initiated to the practice by the great teacher Professor Janusz Szopa in Poland, and two years ago a teacher called Rod Watson introduced me to ashtanga yoga and this is the style I am attached to the most.

"Yoga is a lifelong study and it gives me the energy to realise my plans. When I came to England I didn‘t speak English and I was working as a housekeeper in a hotel, then a waitress. Now I am doing first year of graphic design course at Salford University, and yoga has helped me progress.

"I think that now is the time to pass on what I have learned to others about yoga."

Aga is teaching ashtanga yoga, from 5.45pm to 7.15pm on Fridays, at The Yoga Rooms. Classes are £6.50 or £5 for concessions. For more information, email a.rzekiecka@googlemail.com or go to www.jogamanchester.com - this site is in Polish only.