WebJanFeb18

24 | www.westendermagazine.com
Top Things To Do
in the West End
by Tracy Mukherjee
Happy New Year to one and all! The merriment
and excesses of the festive season have passed
for another year. Scales all over the West End
are confirming what we all knew before standing
on them; it’s time for those health-kick New Year
resolutions. In addition to some great ideas to
get you feeling smugly healthy in the next few
months, here is our guide to all that is happening
over the winter months to come.
Top for West End Wellbeing
Getting back in the groove of a healthy lifestyle
seems to be top for everyone at this time of
year. Given that the dark, cold days and nights
do little for one’s mood either, a great option to
cover all bases is yoga. The Movement Studio
focuses on the wellbeing of both mind and body.
With a great range of yoga classes – Ashtanga,
Hatha, Yoga Flow – to suit all preferences
and abilities, the studio really focuses on
overall health too. There is also a real focus on
mindfulness and meditation to keep your mood
uplifted during these dark months. With on-site
rehab for injuries including physio, the centre
is also a major proponent of Gyrotonic® and
Gyrokinesis® exercise. With devotees such
as Andy Murray swearing by it, Gyrotonic®
movement maximizes your potential for
stretching and strengthening muscles which is
believed to relieve injury pain and improve joint
mobility.
If you are an individual who feels that you
are only really working out if you break a
sweat Bikram Yoga in Dowanside Lane will
most definitely see you do just that! Bikram,
the original 'hot' yoga, runs in the format of
90 minute sessions suitable for beginners
or advanced students. Evolving initially from
the more moderate Hatha yoga, each session
involves 26 postures in a hot, humid room. The
highly skilled instructors will ensure you feel
comfortable and that you go at your own pace.
That sweat that you wanted to break? Better
bring a bucket!
The Movement Studio, 4 Ashton Lane G12 8SJ
w:themovementstudio.co.uk
Bikram Yoga, 1 Dowanside Lane G12 9BZ
w:bikramglasgow.com
Top for Healthy Diet
In addition to your new exercise regime, what
about addressing that post-festive diet? The
downfall of every healthy eating plan – what
happens when you go out for dinner? The answer
lies amongst the tiny hub of establishments
in Otago Lane. Tchai Ovna, a regular haunt of
veggies and vegans for many a year, has a great
selection of delicious healthy options for all.
From their delectable red dahl served with warm
pitta, to the award winning chipotle chilli, it’s a
great meat free menu that certainly won’t leave
you hungry. A tea house first and foremost, there
are around 100 different kind of teas to choose
from. Sampling aromatic oolong teas, to enjoying
the rich health benefits of green and white teas,
there is also a list of herbal teas to address a
myriad of health problem. With the setting and
aromas whisking you away to far flung lands,
Tchai Ovna is a great venue for relaxing, enjoying
the company of friends or even meditating. Now
that will impress your yoga instructor.
Tchai Ovna, 42 Otago Lane G12 8PB
w: tchaiovna.com
Top for Winter Festivals
January. At least there is Burns Night
suppers to look forward to. What else? I’m
sure I’m forgetting something… why CELTIC
CONNECTIONS of course! There is simply
nothing like this glorious folk festival to brighten
up the dismal days of January. Now in its 25th
year, the festival showcases Scottish folk in