A PORT Glasgow stroke survivor says yoga has changed her life.

Diana Newlands was rushed to hospital after taking a mini stroke whilst driving.

The mum was left with speech problems, weakness in the left hand side of her body and problems with her short term memory.

But nearly two years on and Diana, of Northfield Avenue, has a new lease of life - which she puts down to discovering yoga.

The 61-year-old, who has a grown-up son Jason, 28, says that she feels like she has 'got her life back'.

She told the Tele: "Yoga gives you a great feeling.

"You feel so calm and at peace. It has given me a bit of my life back."

It was back in October 2016 when Diana, who also suffers from rheumatoid arthritis and has had a hip replacement and knee problem, became seriously unwell whilst behind the wheel of her car.

She said: "I was driving at the time and I took this funny turn and thought 'oh my goodness, what is happening'.

"I lost all co-ordination but managed to park and stumble to a neighbour's house.

"They took me in and called for an ambulance.

"It affected my speech and my short term memory, as well as the stability in my left hand side.

"It was a shock to find out what had happened."

The mini stroke, which is medically referred to as a transient ischaemic attack, is caused by a temporary disruption in the blood supply to part of the brain.

Diana said: "As part of my rehabilitation, my son Jason encouraged me to exercise because my body felt very stiff.

"He suggested yoga so he came along to my first class to support me - and we both absolutely loved it."

Diana says that yoga has not only helped her physically, but emotionally as well.

She said: "When I first started I couldn't get off the floor without holding on to something. Now I can get off the floor on my own and I'm much more flexible.

"It has strengthened my joints and I feel more supple."

Jacci Stoyle, who runs the weekly yoga classes in Port Glasgow and Greenock, says Diana's progress has been incredible.

She said: "The difference in her is huge.

"Yoga is holistic - it's about the mind, body and spirit.

"All of these systems work in conjunction with each other but often we tend to split them off from each other.

"Yoga balances the body and brings unity. I love it when you see how it can change lives."

Diana is now encouraging other people with health issues to give it a go.

She said: "I didn't think I could do it as I couldn't even bend over and I had the problems with my hip and knee.

"I was like a piece of cardboard when I first came along but I feel fantastic now."

Other participants who have discovered the joy of yoga are Jennifer Boag, 63, and Lizzie Carruthers, 33.

Jennifer says: "I'm enjoying it more as I go."

Lizzie added: "It's quite nice to find something local as I live in Greenock."

Jacci's Yoga classes take place every Wednesday at St John's Episcopal Church in Jamaica Street in Greenock at 2pm and at Boglestone Community Centre in Port Glasgow at 7pm.

For those who suffer from mobility problems, Jacci also has a chair yoga class every Wednesday at St John's Episcopal Church at 1pm.