In a sleepy corner of East Sussex, a battle is underway for the soul of yoga. 82-year-old Hindu swami, Indrananda Ji, believes that yoga – a practice rooted in the Hindu scriptures – has been separated from its ancient spiritual roots and hijacked by pop stars and health clubs.

To make a stand he opens up his world to five supermarket workers from Bolton. But with chanting at dawn, a strict diet, some strenuous postures, and a search to find the self, the life of a yogi was never meant to be easy. Swami Ji is determined, but how many of them will last the course?

All have their own reasons for signing up to the retreat, and all agree to follow Swami Ji’s way of life. But all react differently to the yogic way of life.

Checkout Yoga is on tomorrow Wednesday 18th October, 2006 at 11:20pm, BBC One.