GROUPS and classes in Northwich are taking their sessions to the web to ensure that members are not missing out.

Gatherings across the country are currently being cancelled or postponed in line with advice from the Government and Public Health England.

This states that people should remain at least two metres apart from others and that a period of social distancing should be undertaken.

But despite not being able to meet for classes in person, many groups in the town are now hosting virtual sessions so that people stuck at home still have something to look forward to.

One of these classes is babyballet, which teaches ballet dancing to pre-school children in Northwich, Winsford and Crewe.

All classes, which were previously held face-to-face, are now streamed on a private and secure online platform.

“It’s a worrying time as the UK deals with the coronavirus outbreak, but we are remaining very positive,” said owner Natasha Johnson.

“As more and more families self-isolate and limit the amount of social contact that they have, our primary focus is to ensure children and families can still enjoy babyballet, even if they can’t physically come to classes.

Northwich Guardian:

Youngsters are loving their online babyballet classes

“Our members are aged from six months to six years, and most have no idea about coronavirus and the effect it’s having in the world around them.

“It’s our responsibility to keep the babyballet world as normal as possible for them by delivering online classes with as much passion and energy as ever on a screen in living rooms rather than in a dance studio.”

For more information about how your little ones can join, visit babyballet.co.uk.

Another group aimed at toddlers in the area which has moved to virtual classes is diddi dance.

“Sadly, I have had to stop running my classes in venues to keep our diddi dancers safe,” said franchisee and mum of three Laura Makinson.

“To adapt and still offer the much-needed physical activity and entertainment to our diddi dancers, I have taken our classes online to a private Facebook group.

“I held my first live session last week and was so overwhelmed by the messages of support received.

Northwich Guardian:

The reaction to online diddi dance classes has been hugely positive

“It was definitely nerve-racking at the beginning, but the lovely feedback made me feel so happy that there is a way to adapt to this new world we are currently in.”

To learn more, visit facebook.com/diddidanceCheshire/.

Elsewhere in the town, yoga teacher and therapist Gary Lucas has been working 20-hour days to set up his online yoga studio.

He hopes to give people the opportunity to maintain a healthy body and mind and also to combat the effects of social isolation.

“I could see how not being able to hold or teach classes because of the current situation was going to affect my students, myself and my family,” he said.

“That is why I decided to take a plunge and start these new online sessions which I am calling 'The Yoga Virus'.

Northwich Guardian:

Gary leading one of his online Yoga Virus sessions

“The studio is full of yoga videos for adults, kids and the elderly as well as videos on calming your breathing, relaxation audios, clinical hypnosis sessions for stress relief and much more.

“I’ll also be doing daily morale-boosting broadcasts aimed particularly at those who might be isolated at home over the coming months.”

The sessions are priced at £3 a week or free for care homes and centres caring for vulnerable people.

For more information, head to facebook.com/theyogavirus/.