Gaiman, Pullman and Trollope in 'yoga challenge'

Neil Gaiman, Philip Pullman, Joanna Trollope, Lemn Sissay and Joanne Harris are throwing their weight behind a five day yoga challenge next week, organised by The Society of Authors (SoA) to raise awareness of the importance of authors looking after themselves and each other.

From Monday 7th to Friday 11th August, the organisation will tweet a daily photograph of a yoga pose inspired by a "much-loved" book, then invite followers to take up the challenge by submitting a picture in which they either recreate the pose, try out an alternative pose or "subvert" the pose. The best response to each day’s challenge will win a signed book donated by Gaiman, Pullman, Trollope, Sissay or Harris.

On Monday, the best pose inspired by Kenneth Grahame’s Wind in the Willows will win a signed book from Trollope; on Tuesday, the best pose inspired by JRR Tolkien’s The Hobbit will win a signed book from Harris. Wednesday will see the best pose inspired by Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice win a signed book from Pullman and on Thursday, the best pose inspired by Douglas Adams’ Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy will win a signed book from Gaiman. The last day of the challenge, Friday will see the best move inspired by George Orwell’s Animal Farm will win a signed book from Lemn Sissay.

Entrants should tweet their shape - in the form of a photograph, illustration or description - with the hashtag #SoADoesYoga no later than Sunday 13 August. Winners will be announced in the week of 14th August.

The yoga challenge is the first in a series of activities to promote the SoA’s new online wellbeing resources, designed to signpost authors towards help issues including those relating to their career and finances, and to their health, mental health and general wellbeing.