Midlife guide to...

Q. Where are you off to with that foam exercise mat and handful of paper napkins?

A. My chocolate yoga class. Want to come?

Q. Not particularly.

A. But you love chocolate! And you love yoga! What could be more spiritually enlightening than

combining these two wonderful experiences? Let’s call it choga…

Q. I don’t know – how about enjoying them separately, as nature intended?

A. Look, if everyone took that approach then they would never have invented beer yoga, goat

yoga or rescue cat yoga.

Q. Just imagine! Go on then, since you’re so weirdly excited about it – tell me what choga is all about.

A. Ok, so the first part of the class involves mindfully eating some chocolate. The second part involves doing some yoga.

Q. But… why ?

A. May I refer you to Guzel Murselimova to answer this one? According to the British yoga instructor: “There are many parallels [between chocolate and yoga] – from experiencing a naturally elevated mood after indulging in a piece of delicious chocolate, to the feeling of lightness and

radiance after a restorative yoga practice. For me, mindful movement, power of breath and organic vegan chocolate are a perfect match.”

Q. Right. And where could I practise such an advanced form of consciousness alteration, if I was that way inclined? A. A chocolate company called Love Cocoa ran a session in London last month, which you’ve missed, but another yoga and chocolate session will be hosted this Sunday at a place called Core Clapton in East London. This one involves a “self-loving yoga practice” followed by a chocolate meditation. Will

I see you there?

Q. What does it cost?

A. Only £15. Q. £15? I could buy two dozen Mars bars for that.

A. You could… but you wouldn’t transcend to a higher plane. You’d just feel sick.