For nearly 20 years, Leah Bracknell was known to millions of viewers as country vet Zoe Tate in Yorkshire soap Emmerdale.

Now the actress is a qualified yoga teacher and is starting classes in the district for people of any age, size or ability.

Leah, who says yoga changed her life, has joined forces with the DM Academy in Shipley to hold weekly yoga classes.

“The beauty of yoga is that anyone can do it, and it can fit into a busy lifestyle,” she said.

“It is no disadvantage if you haven’t done yoga before – the yoga I teach isn’t the ‘legs up behind your neck’ kind!

“I teach it in a more nurturing way and people say they feel very calm afterwards. There are many benefits of yoga. It strengthens body and mind, increases flexibility in joints, ligaments, tendons and muscles, improves respiration, relieves stress, tones and de-toxes the body, boosts energy levels and improves posture and balance.”

Leah took up yoga ten years ago and has since released two DVDs – Yoga And You and Yoga For Life.

She said: “After I left Emmerdale I was in a play, but I hadn’t done theatre for 17 years and kept thinking, ‘what have I done?’ I took my yoga mat to my dressing-room, did an hour of yoga before going on stage, and was amazed at how calm I felt. It helps to de-clutter the mind and focus concentration.

Leah’s yoga classes, at DM Academy, Shipley, start on Monday, June 6, from 11.15am to 12.15pm and Thursday, June 16, 7pm to 8pm. For details visit leahbracknellyoga.com or ring 07531 439486.

  • Read the full story in Thursday's T&A