The faces look serious, even preoccupied, but with a certain contentment — and that is what yoga is all about.

When Oxford Mail photographer Athar Chaudry dropped in on a yoga class at Oxford College of Further Education in 1973, 17 enthusiasts under their teacher Katherine Burch were hard at work.

Miss Burch travelled from London every week to take two-hour classes with 17 members in each, including two men.