Welcome to our May newsletter.

May seems to be a month with many awareness days and weeks, one of which my family have to deal with on a day to day basis; Coeliac Disease. Coeliac disease is caused by an intolerance to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye and sometimes oats too. The disease can lead to serious conditions such as osteoporosis, anaemia, infertility and gut cancer if left untreated. You will probably know someone with Coeliac as it affects 1 in 100 people.

When my mum was diagnosed, over 4 years ago, she had to radically change her diet, something she found hard to do as she loved pasta, fresh bread, cakes, salad dressings etc. Luckily gluten free staple foods are available on prescription and food producers and supermarkets now have to label everything very precisely. The most difficult part of being coeliac for my mum is eating out as cross contamination in restaurant kitchens is highly likely. We now have a list of restaurants that cater for coeliacs, including Nandos, Brewers Fayre, Wagamama and a wonderful local Italian place called Sassos in Kingsclere. Don't forget to ask for the allergy book or to speak to the chef as you may be surprised at what is available.

Coeliac Awareness Week runs from 14th - 20th May 2007, there are many events and activities being held countrywide helping to make people more aware of Coeliac Disease.

If you have any questions about Coeliac Disease please email me at health@ruthwhiteyoga.com or contact Coeliac UK, the national charity.

Namaste, Emma

NEW Yoga Competition for MAY 07 - Win a Back Arch Pack

Complete 2 questions and your contact details and you could Win a Back Arch Pack with Premier Standard Mat worth £62.50 from Ruth White Yoga Products Ltd.

The winners of last terms competion have been drawn and announced on our website. The Winner, Maria Tsaousidou from Huntingdon will receive the Wild Earth Nepal pack.

The 3 runners up, Jolene Brinklow, Claire Ferry and Margaret O'Riordan will each receive a Mat Bag in the post this week.

Thank you all for entering and good luck in our new competition!

Yoga Day for Macmillan Cancer Relief

On Saturday 19th May 2007, a yoga fundraising day will be held at Stockcross Village Hall, Nr Newbury. The day is being organised by Jane Hedge (01635 521243 / email Jane) who teaches Yoga in the Newbury area. The event hopes to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Relief and people will experience a variety of yoga practices. We have been invited along to host a small shop and provide a Yoga Kit as one of the raffle prizes.

If you are running a Yoga Day and would like us to come along, please contact us.

The Ruth White Yoga Products Special Offers for May 2007 are now listed on our website. The offers are valid from the 1st May to the 31st May 2007. All offers exclude the cost of postage and packing and are valid while stocks last.

All Videos & Cassettes:   NOW £1.00

Large Equipment Bag:   WAS £15.00   NOW £13.50
Aromatic Pillows:   WAS £7.75   NOW £7.25
Soothing Eye Pillows:   WAS £5.50   NOW £4.50
Premier Standard Mat & Mat Bag:   WAS £29.00   NOW £21.00
Blue / Black Brick:   WAS £5.00   NOW £2.80

World Asthma Day - 1st May

Tuesday 1st May 2007 is World Asthma Day, an annual event that aims to improve asthma awareness and care throughout the world.

To mark the event, Asthma UK is launching a series of initiatives throughout the country to help raise awareness of asthma, and highlight the fact that it remains a serious and widespread condition. Our activities will target people with asthma, healthcare professionals and the media. To read more information, please go to the Asthma UK website at www.asthma.org.uk.