'Free spirit' does yoga exercises on Manchester Airport road while it was closed due to flooding

A woman from Manchester grabbed her opportunity to practice yoga poses in a unique location during the recent flooding.

Self-proclaimed "free spirit" Freyah Grace says she made a "spur of the moment" decision to stretch out on the A 555 Manchester Airport Relief Road the day after it was closed due to severe flooding near Hazel Grove in Stockport.

Freyah says she took one glance at the blue skies that day and impulsively took her mat along to the usually busy road near Heald Green.

She said: "I’m not entirely sure what drew me to the A555 to practise yoga that day. It was a spur of the moment thing really, and the blue skies were a sign for me to get out of the house.

"I’ve always been someone who thinks outside the box and loves to bring creativity into everything I do, so the idea of rolling out my mat in such an unusual location felt like a no brainer. I thought it would be great, eye-catching content that might turn heads, and, well, it did.

"As a local to the area, the A555 is a familiar spot for me. That day, I just grabbed my mat, a bottle of water, and walked there, not expecting much more than a memorable yoga session. What I didn’t anticipate was the buzz it would generate, leading to photos being shared and eventually landing in the local papers."

Not everyone thought it was a good idea though, one response called it '"stupidity at its very best"', but others struck a more positive note: "Do what makes you happy" And another said: "That's woman power".

Freyah added: "The reactions were, let’s just say, very mixed. I couldn’t help but laugh at some of the negative comments. People can be hilariously dramatic when something breaks their routine perception. But honestly, that’s exactly why I think doing something different is so important. It sparks conversations, challenges norms, and inspires others to think differently.

"On the flip side, the positive responses were very heart-warming. I received so many lovely messages of encouragement from people who appreciated the creativity behind the idea. It was really humbling to see the support and to hear from others who found it inspiring in some way."

Freyah, from Manchester, started yoga around 10 years ago and, during lockdown, completed her teacher training to share her skills with others.

She adds, "For me, it was a reminder that stepping out of your comfort zone, even in the smallest ways, can have a big ripple effect. Whether people loved or hated the idea, it got them talking, and maybe even thinking about trying something new themselves. Who knows where yoga might take me next, maybe another unexpected location."

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