The former DfES project manager has spent the last three years introducing children to the benefits of the ancient practice.

Now she has given up her day job and turned yoga into a business, introducing classes to schools across Sheffield.

Click on the green play icon to see slideshow of a yoga class. When the video player comes up double click to view full screen.

"Yoga has really helped me, so I thought I'd take it into schools," says Jo, aged 38, of Nether Edge.

"It teaches you relaxation techniques, which can be really important with all the stress young people go through today. And there are many other benefits too."

One young girl who suffers from attention deficit and hyperactivity has been transformed since starting classes a few weeks ago.

"Her mum said her concentration had increased, she can sit still for longer and is happier in herself – and the only thing they can put it down to is the yoga," says Jo.

"It's really rewarding and I'm hoping it can help all kinds of children, including those who are totally switched off sport, for example."

Jo, a Greek who grew up in Australia, came to Sheffield University to take an MSc in environment archaeology.

She relieved the stress of study by practising yoga and continued to develop her interest when she began working for the DfES more than a decade ago.

Her colleagues showed an interest, so in 2004 she began running lunchtime sessions for them.

She also volunteered to run classes at Abbeydale Grange comprehensive.They proved so popular that she was officially seconded to the school's PE department, taking groups as part of their course.

She also began after-school yoga clubs at a couple of local primaries – and now she has given up her government post so she can devote herself to the job full-time.

"I felt I wasn't making a difference before – the policies I was implementing didn't really have the children at heart. I want to instill values that aren't based on consumerism," she says.

In addition to the Abbeydale Grange classes, Yoga Nature Sheffield runs hour-long after-school sessions at five primaries.

More have expressed an interest, along with youth organisations including Scouts and Guides.

Jo is also planning to develop community sessions as part of the extended schools initiative, running weekend and holiday classes for families too.

Details: www.yoganaturesheffield.org.uk