A NEW festival will be taking place at the end of the month, with its organiser looking to bring a different sort of exercise to the area.

The Basingstoke Yoga Gathering will be taking place for the first time, and the festival’s focus will be showing off the exercise, while raising money for a local charitable cause.

The day-long festival will consist of eight sessions of several different yoga disciplines, each tailored to show off a particular skills and with some classes designed so that anyone can take part, no matter the age or ability.

Organiser and yoga teacher in Basingstoke, Marzia Stefani, said: “There are no limits on who can join in, anyone can turn up and have a go.

“I wanted to create an event that could bring the community together, and show off all the great yoga teachers that we have in the area, and this is a great way to bring people together.

“I attended my first large yoga festival about five years ago in London, and then after that, it just felt a bit too commercial and so the idea for a local, community event came from there.

“I’m hoping that if the event is successful, then I can make it a yearly event.”

The event is not just to show off the extent of yoga in the area.

The gathering is taking place in aid of Victoria’s Promise, a cause close to Marzia’s heart.

Marzia added: “I lost my mum to cancer, and Victoria’s Promise helps young women who are dealing with cancer, and it just felt right to donate any money that we make to the charity.”

Yoga teachers from all over Basingstoke will be helping to run the sessions, which will be available for all, including for families and people with disabilities.

The event will be taking place on June 30 at the Hatch Warren Community Centre, starting at 10.30am.

For more information or to book a place, visit: cherryyoga.wixsite.com/basingstokeyg