Glasgow parking attendants are 'more upbeat and calmer' thanks to lunchtime yoga classes.

The employees began attending the yoga sessions at Glasgow City Chambers in 2018.

The classes were introduced by former manager Kenny Costello, who wanted to provide a 'time out on a yoga mat' to help staff escape the 'anger and rage' they face daily.

Kenny, 67, said: "During my time as a manager for parking enforcement, I saw the range of services on offer for GCC workers based at Glasgow City Chambers, such as mindfulness classes.

"It made me think of the parking attendants.

"I felt it was a shame because they are walking the streets for up to 10 to 12 hours per day facing a huge amount of conflict, anger, and abuse on a daily basis - all they’re trying to do is keep the streets flowing.

"I thought negotiating a way for staff to come into the City Chambers on their lunch break to access services like mindfulness classes, or indeed yoga, could take them away from that anger and rage for just an hour or so."

Kenny arranged for The Kali Collective Glasgow Yoga Studio to provide the classes.

The first block of sessions was described as 'a real hit', with attendees claiming to notice physical and mental benefits after just a few classes.

The classes encourage the team to take some time out (Image: The Kali Collective) Kenny said: "They all loved it. They could see the benefits early on and continued for the rest of the block.

"After each class, they would put their uniforms back on and get back out into the city centre feeling more upbeat and positive.

"Poses like the sun salutations and lunges are great for your hips, with all the walking the attendants do, yoga has been great for them physically as well.

"The team ended up happier and fitter which in the long run I’m sure would have prevented absences - it’s a win-win situation."

The classes were moved online during the Covid-19 pandemic, but the wardens have continued their practice either online or in person.Kenny Costello has found the classes helpful (Image: The Kali Collective) Retiree Kenny is one of The Kali Collective’s longest-standing attendees. 

It was founded by Steph Wall, who moved to Scotland from Canada in 2015.

She saw a gap in the market for Vinyasa, a term used to describe continuous or dynamic movements between yoga poses, in Glasgow.

The studio now offers 40 classes per week at The Axium Building in Washington Street, as well as remote sessions, retreats, and other activities such as pilates and cold water dips.

Steph said: "Kali is a sacred space for sharing yoga wisdom, offering experiences for both students and teachers who feel called to deepen their studies of yoga.

"Everything we do is about fostering community and deepening its connection to yoga.

"People are curious about engaging with yoga on a deeper level – they’re not just coming in to stretch.

"It’s more than that. I want to attract people who are curious about life.

"It is also an outlet for creative people, especially with the style of yoga that I teach, as it involves constantly changing sequences and flows.

"We champion diversity – it doesn’t matter what you look like or where you come from, as long as you’re curious, you’re welcome at Kali Collective."