A FINNIESTON yoga studio has been awarded a £25,000 boost for its work helping recovering addicts "Namaste Off It".

The BodyMind Studio has scooped the business award from social enterprise funder Firstport, to celebrate owner Lou Prendergast's commitment to working with those in recovery through the Namaste Off It programme.

Lou has been donating Bikram Yoga classes to residents at Phoenix Futures Scotland’s rehabilitation centre and has also secured work with the Mungo Foundation, providing Bikram classes for those accessing the services of the South Glasgow Drug and Alcohol Recovery Hub.

She told the Evening Times: "I had heard Bikram Yoga was particularly good for people in recovery and knew I wanted to get involved, so we set up Namaste Off It.

"It's good for anyone who has been through a trauma with their bodies, which addiction really is, but psychologically too. You're using the mirror so they're forced to face themselves - you find with addicts they don't want to do that at but that begins to change.

"It's absolutely brilliant."

Since starting the programme in November of last year, many of Lou's students have gone on to complete their rehab stays but have returned to the studio in a bid to keep up their sobriety.

One such pupil, is Jake Freeman, a former resident of Phoenix House who now works at the studio in a Karma Yogi capacity, meaning he receives free yoga classes.

Jake is keen to break down the stigma of addiction and loved the idea of continuing Bikram after leaving the Possil centre.

Lou said she was "delighted" to have him on the team, while the new yoga-lover said he is glad to be "giving back" to the studio.

The studio owner said: "When he came in he was quite shy, he's very tall and used to stoop but now we've just watched him blossom.

"We've seen the most incredible changes in him and other people to get better and more stability in the body and mind.

"You would never believe these are people who were facing addiction."

The 28-year-old battled a Valium and Zanex addiction for around five years before he finally sought help with Phoenix.

After leaving behind his family in England to take the plunge into rehab, Jake has decided to stay in Glasgow to continue his recovery with the studio.

He said: "The classes have kept me linked with good people that's really important.

"I just picked up keys for a flat here which is really exciting. I know I've not go my family around here but

James Armstrong, director of marketing for Phoenix Futures Scotland added: “We’re delighted that Jake is able to take up this opportunity.

"The BodyMind Studio deserves to be recognised for its contribution to the community and we’d love to see more organisations follow its lead.”

Lou has undergone the first stage of two-part Y12SR training – the Yoga of 12 Step Recovery - and will soon be qualified to hold sessions at her studio for anyone who has been affected by addiction.

Next year, the studio will host Scotland’s first ever Y12SR leadership training in March.