Spread the word of mo... It's Movember

The pink ribbon is to breast cancer awareness what the moustache is to prostate cancer. Movember's tag line is 'changing the face of men's health' which articulately describes the challenge - changing your appearance by growing a moustache for 30 days and the outcome - changing the understanding and attitudes men have towards their health. Movember (the month formerly known as November) is a moustache growing charity event held during November each year that raises funds and awareness for prostate cancer. Funds raised through the Movember Ireland campaign go directly to the Irish Cancer Society. Since the event began eight years ago Movember has grown to become a truly global movement inspiring more than 1.1 million people to participate worldwide. Barbers across Meath are on hand to provide expert grooming advice. A number of events are taking place across the county including a shave off in Ratoath on 27th November at the Auld Stand from 7pm-11pm. JC, co-founder of Movember comments: "Through the power of the Mo we are changing the actions and attitudes of men around the world when it comes to their health. The Mo is a catalyst for change, promoting both public and private conversation and through the growth of a moustache during November we will continue to increase early detection, diagnosis and effective treatment of cancer." Irish rugby player Cian Healy is also getting involved. "I'm delighted to take part in Movember this year. My newfound facial hair has proved such a distraction for the opposition that I am confident it can make a serious impact on our big game." The growth of Mo inspires conversations about the often overlooked issues of men's health. Young and old are encouraged to speak to their peers about their health and bring it from a talking point to an action plan. There are many male students attending my yoga school in Ashbourne, and young men in particular are taking charge of their health and seeing the benefits and not just on a physical level. Each yoga pose works on a certain area of the body, bringing health benefits deep beneath the layers of muscle and tissue. The Ashtanga yoga practice will give you a slender and often viewed beautiful physiche but when the postures are broken down for example in the 'Janu Sirsasana' sequence the real health benefits emerge. This is the case in A and B position stimulating and tonifying the urinary system and the functions of the pancreas in men. Most weeks I write about the importance of getting moving for a healthy lifestyle and ultimately a happier life. So if a moustache is just not your thing why not dedicate your Movember to 'Mo-vement' and raise some much needed funds for The Irish Cancer Society. Claire Maguire is founder of The Yoga Room, Ashbourne Co Meath. See www.yoga-meath.ie