No time to squeeze in a regular stretch?

Some of Cork’s biggest yoga fans were out in force over the weekend for the launch of a brand-new app featuring 400 yoga classes you can take at home.

Developed by well-known Cork yoga instructor Hazel Buckley, The Yoga Tree app is personalised to fit your fitness level, experience, goals and time.

Here’s a peek at how it looks:

“We live in a hectic world and I know as a busy mum of three how difficult it is to find time for ourselves,” Hazel told us.

“I have friends who sit at a desk for 12-hour days. We need to prioritise our wellbeing. Many people are afraid to start, as they feel they don’t have the time or the energy or the body to do yoga.

“It’s important to get the message out there that you don’t need to spend hours on the mat to reap the benefits. By starting small first with five-minute practices, you can build from there,” Hazel says.

In addition to yoga sessions that are tailored for the individual, The Yoga Tree App also offers meditations, delicious healthy recipes, and nutrition tips.  Your progress is even tracked so you can keep motivated and stick to your goals.

Tackle anxiety

According to the World Health Organisation, there has been a 25 percent increase in the prevalence of anxiety and depression worldwide and sedentary lifestyles are linked to a significantly increased risk of colon and breast cancers.

Hazel says that small changes can have big impacts: “Even five minutes of yoga and meditation a day has been proven to help reduce stress, anxiety, insomnia, headaches, back pain, and high blood pressure. It can also help to improve mood, focus, circulation, and flexibility and at the same time will strengthen and tone the body.”

The Yoga Tree app costs €12.99 for a monthly subscription and it’s available on all smart devices on the Apple’s App Store and Google Playstore for both Apple (iOS) and Android.