A YOGA class that encourages those taking part to drink beer to double the dose of relaxation begins this week.

The sessions will be taught by instructor Emma Simons, who has been practising for more than 15 years.

Her “beer yoga” classes begin on Thursday evening at The Railway Inn in Portslade and students will be positively encouraged to have a drink.

The aim is to help yogis increase relaxation and give them a “slight confidence boost”.

Ms Simons, an instructor at Yoga Cabinet, said: “I thought of running this class a while ago when I saw online that people were doing it already in places like Australia and Bangkok, so I decided it was time to introduce it to people here.

“This is the first beer yoga class I will have put on for members of the public after running a few trial sessions with friends that worked really well.

“One or two drinks during the class works quite well. Any more than two then people may start to struggle a bit. We certainly don’t want any injuries.

“It can actually improve your balance and it can definitely make you feel more confident when attempting tougher positions.

“It is a good class for people who haven’t done any yoga before because it will help them relax into it.”

She added that part of the class will focus on mindfulness and meditation, with the beer playing an important part in these aspects of the session.

Ritualistic traditions of the 6th century did include alcohol on occasion according to some historians, to enable the most advanced and devoted yogis to become “possessed” by a“powerful goddess”and further improve their abilities.

Ursula Hansen Wendler, events and marketing co- ordinator at The Railway Inn, said: “This is the first class of its kind in the area. Come and practise yoga in a fun, informal space, with your favourite drinking buddies.”

Classes will be held at the pub every other Thursday at 7pm.

Tickets are available on the door for £12 – including a free beer – or by visiting yogacabinet.com/classes.