Yoga-nna Love This!
Free Accessible Yoga Classes are a brand new addition to Selby Leisure Centre and will run throughout Summer between 15 July and August.
Menopause Yoga, Steady Mind Yoga and Gentle Yoga will soon be available to Seby residents thanks to a collaboration between charities.
Accessible Yoga is an inclusive practice that adapts the yoga posture to each individual body rather than trying to force bodies into specific shapes, making Yoga accessible to every body and giving everyone a chance to experience the benefits of Yoga in their mind, body and spirit.
Wellness teacher Sam Alexander-Vasey will be leading the classes; she said:
Though Yoga is an ancient practice – over 4,000 years old – modern science and research are increasingly recognising the many benefits of Yoga in supporting both physical and mental health. The three classes offered this summer aim to give an introduction to yoga movements, breathing and meditation, as well as exploring why Yoga can have such positive impacts on health.”
Gentle Yoga focuses on gentle movements and strengthening and is designed for people who are 60 years or older. The course can support the management of a range of health conditions, including osteopenia, osteoporosis and arthritis and can help reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and support better sleep.
Steady Mind Yoga focuses on Yoga for improved mental health and is suitable for anyone experiencing mental health challenges like stress, depression or anxiety. It uses a range of yoga techniques to provide a focus for the mind, enables us to connect safely with the body and supports the body and mind to experience greater ease and peace. No previous yoga experience is necessary.
Menopause Yoga is designed for women experiencing menopause or perimenopause and explores how yoga practices can support them during this time of transition. The course includes a tailored movement practice, breathing techniques and mindful meditation exercises to help manage the main symptoms of menopause, such as hot flushes, anxiety, irritability, insomnia, fatigue, lack of focus and low mood.
The free classes have been made possible through a partnership working between health & fitness charity Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles (IHL) – who manage Selby Leisure Centre – and Community Support Charity, Up For Yorkshire.
It follows hot on the heels of a recent programme, delivered by Sam, aimed at health professionals and taught the theory and practice of yoga, breathing techniques and grounding skills to help with managing stress, getting better sleep, implementing positive habits and creating a more harmony in mind and body.
Chief Executive of Up For Yorkshire, Chris Hailey-Norris, said:
Collaboration and partnership working is at the heart of what we do as a charity. In an increasingly stressful world, these classes will enable those suffering from mental health challenges, the effects of menopause and older adults suffering a range of health conditions to feel positive health benefits through tailored Yoga classes for these specific health issues.
Andy Sim, Wellbeing Service Manager for IHL, said:
We’re delighted to once again be working with Up For Yorkshire. Sharing ideas, identifying gaps in health provision and offering new and exciting classes that meet a community health need is what this collaboration is all about.
The Yoga Classes will take place at Selby Leisure Centre every Tuesday between 25 July and 29 August and are completely free . Full details and booking can be found here.
Yoga has been widely studied and has been shown to have a diverse range of benefits for both physical and mental health. Healthline has identified 16 potential benefits of Yoga that are supported by research. Read more about the health benefits of Yoga here.
