Traffic wardens get yoga lessons on the taxpayer to deal with the rage they face every day on the streets

They are often the unwilling targets for the frustration and fury of motorists who have just been handed a parking fine.

Now traffic wardens in Glasgow are trying to beat the stress – by taking up yoga.

The city centre parking attendants have reported feeling 'more upbeat, fitter and calmer' thanks to the lunchtime sessions.

From downward dogs and lunges to sun salutations and even just simply lying down to contemplate, parking wardens in Scotland's biggest city are de-stressing from the 'conflict, anger and abuse' they face.

Kenny Costello, a former parking warden manager in the city, helped introduce the classes with the hope that some time out on a yoga mat would help his team deal with the stresses of the job.

The 67-year-old said: 'They walk the streets for up to 12 hours a day facing a huge amount of conflict, anger and abuse on a daily basis.

'All they're trying to do is keep the streets moving.'

The lunchtime classes began in 2018 after Mr Costello was introduced to the Kali Collective Glasgow Yoga Studio.

He said: 'I thought negotiating a way for staff to come into the City Chambers on their lunch break to access services could take them away from that anger and rage for just an hour or so.'

And after the first few classes, the now retired Mr Costello revealed, the benefits were noticed.

The father-of-four said: 'They all loved it. They could see the benefits early on and continued for the rest of the block.

'After each class they would put their uniforms back on and get back out into the city centre feeling more upbeat and positive.

'The team ended up happier and fitter, which in the long run I'm sure would have prevented absences – it's a win-win situation.'

Steph Wall, who founded the Kali Collective, said: 'I want to attract people who are curious about life.

'It is also an outlet for creative people, especially with the style of yoga that I teach, as it involves constantly changing sequences and flows.'

Medical research has shown breathing practices and mediation do reduce anxiety and depression.

And as mental health issues cost employers north of the Border more than £2billion a year, organisations have started to look at ways to help staff deal with issues.

In Glasgow, the city council provides the free yoga classes for the wardens. And other organisations who have signed up for regular workplace yoga include the NHS, University of Edinburgh and Citizens Advice Scotland.

Scientists believe that it has benefits beyond relaxation, as MRI scans have proved yoga improves brain function. And there is some suggestion it can counteract age-related declines, as older yoga practitioners have shown less shrinkage of the brain.