Meet the wellness guru who is putting England's Euro 2024 squad through their paces by teaching yoga - a day after drawing 1-1 against Denmark
After their dismal draw against Denmark on Thursday, England's stars will be bending over backwards to ramp up their game.
Which is perhaps why yoga guru Dr Rebekah Jade has been called in.
Dr Jade, who works part-time as a junior doctor and a DJ while also teaching yoga, put the faltering team through their paces a day after the Denmark ordeal.
She was invited to the team's training camp in Germany because of England's commercial partnership with Nike, for which she also works.
Players including Kyle Walker, 34, Kieran Trippier, 33, Bukayo Saka, 22, and Jordan Pickford, 30, performed exercises such as downward dog, a chair pose, the tadasana standing pose and the warrior pose during the recovery session after their lacklustre showing in Frankfurt.
According to her Instagram page, Dr Rebekah Jade, from London, had been working in an NHS surgical assessment unit before flying out to Germany
Nike trainer Dr Jade takes a yoga session with players of England at Spa & Golf Resort Weimarer Land on June 21, 2024 in Blankenhain, Germany
Conor Gallagher of England takes part in the yoga session
Dejected members of the England squad walk off at full-time after a disappointing performance against Denmark
The gym at the five-star golf and spa resort where the squad is based in remote Blankenhain, Thuringia, is also emblazoned with motivational messages.
And manager Gareth Southgate will hope the session will provide a lift for his side ahead of Tuesday night's final group game against Slovenia in Cologne.
With four points from two games, England are still in prime position to top their group – and likely avoid high-flying Germany in the last 16 – but fans have been left frustrated at their listless approach.
According to her Instagram page, Dr Jade, from London, had been working in an NHS surgical assessment unit before flying out to Germany.
She told an Elle magazine podcast in December that 'people are always surprised when they hear I am a doctor and a yoga teacher because they think they are doing different things.'
But the medic said medicine and yoga 'have a similar goal, from different angles'.
Kieran Trippier takes part in a yoga session, with Jordan Pickford in the background
The England squad practice yoga on a semi-regular basis on recovery days after matches, and enjoyed similar sessions while at the last World Cup in Qatar. Pictured: Ollie Watkins
Nike trainer Dr Jade shows the players what to do with Conor Gallagher following her lead
Dr Jade assists Arsenal star Declan Rice during a pose
Dr Jade leading the England players in yoga after the match
Jude Bellingham trudges off the pitch at full-time after a lacklustre performance from England
England's Kieran Trippier appears dejected after the UEFA Euro 2024 match at the Frankfurt Arena
England players pose for a team group photo before the match
Former Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs credited the muscle-strengthening, injury- preventing benefits of the discipline with enabling him to prolong his career until he finally retired at the age of 40 in 2014
The England squad practise yoga on a semi-regular basis on recovery days after matches, and enjoyed similar sessions while at the last World Cup in Qatar.
Former Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs credited the muscle-strengthening, injury- preventing benefits of the discipline with enabling him to prolong his career until he finally retired at the age of 40 in 2014.
Away from the yoga studio, Dr Jade specialises in Afrobeats and electronic and funk music sets, as well as producing mixes of ambient and electronic soundscapes to accompany yoga sessions.
Meanwhile, by the time England and Slovenia kick off in Cologne on Tuesday night, the city – which counts a chocolate museum as a star attraction – will be melting.
Temperatures will peak at 28C (82F) early in the evening and will be nudging 25C (77F) as the game starts at 9pm (8pm UK time) – but 52 per cent humidity levels are expected to make the heat feel closer to 30C (86F).
England fans began arriving in Cologne yesterday and have much to live up to after 60,000 Scotland supporters delighted locals with their impeccable behaviour as the team drew 1-1 with Switzerland.
Mayor Henriette Reker wrote on social media: 'Dear Scots, these have been a wonderful couple of days with you. I could not be a happier mayor.'
