One thing I can recommend to anyone suffering from exam-induced malaise is an hour of yoga to get you out of your head. Here’s a breakdown of some of the best classes going on in town to help you zone out (constructively) before exams begin.

University Yoga

For a blissful experience involving gentle stretching, movement of energy around your seven chakras and Eastern-style chanting (on an iPod, rather than performed by you) head to Roza’s evening class from 6-7pm at Murray Edwards or Rachel’s Yin class at King’s on Thursday mornings. Yin is perfect for those of you who enjoy exercise requiring as little movement as possible- postures are held for several minutes at a time.

Anyone who lacks the patience for the above should go to the Uni Yoga classes led by Martin. This is basic Hatha-style yoga, no chanting and no discussion of energy flow. In Martin’s words, his yoga is about "blood and flesh" rather than the soul. You’ll find him at St John’s on Monday and Thursday evenings or Fitzwilliam on Sundays.

A balance of the two styles can be found at Newnham on Wednesdays with Howard, from 7-8:30pm. His power-yoga class is firmly rooted in the physical hatha practice, yet discussion of flow and flying suggest the possibility for an esoteric experience if that’s what you’re looking for.

A range of classes are also held by the university association at Clare Colony on Saturday afternoons; most recently a Kundalini yoga class, involving lots of rocking back and forth, internal and external repetition of mantras and soothing Hindi music.

Cambridge Yoga

Aside from university-run classes, yoga's Cambridge base is The Dandelion Café. This popular branch serves up really good salads, juices and home-made muffins. A range of yoga is on offer, including "hot" yoga for those brave enough to try it.

Taking hot yoga up a notch are the ETHOS team who’ve set up a Bikram studio on St Andrew’s Street, complete with giant heater fans and a mirror. This allows you to contemplate your increasingly sweaty form throughout this, quite grim, practice as the incredibly lithe instructors parade about barking instructions at you through a mouthpiece. I imagine it’s a similar feeling to that felt after  a really gruelling run through a South Californian desert. This is also the closest I’ve probably ever come to a transcendental experience due to a combination of bad eyesight and intense aerobic exercise leaving me with a distinct sensation of depersonalization from the black-clothed figure staring back at me from the studio mirror.

Whatever your motives or personality, there’s a yoga class in Cambridge for you. It’s been the best way that I’ve found to remove myself from the stresses of exam term. Even if you don’t want to move from your desk, sign up to the CUYS mailing list to receive Aitan’s emails. His streams of consciousness and words of wisdom, including “These slave drivers (Cambridge University) will eat you alive if you do not live and feel in whatever way bests suits you”- are sure to brighten up your day.

Links:
Cambridge University Yoga Society: http://cambridgeyogasociety.wix.com/cuys
UniYoga: http://www.uniyoga.co.uk/
CamYoga: http://www.camyoga.co.uk/