Adaptive yoga
The Westway Sports Centre in West London has launched a new Adaptive Yoga class, the first of its kind in the UK, which is aimed at people with limited mobility and disabilities.
The Adaptive Yoga sessions, which will officially launch in November after two successful trials, aim to improve strength, flexibility and balance for people living with disabilities such as amputation, spinal cord injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy. Adaptive Yoga also encourages better management of chronic pain and repetitive strain injury caused by the use of a wheelchair or partial paralysis.
People with cognitive disabilities such as post-traumatic stress disorder, brain injuries and autism spectrum disorder can also benefit from Adaptive Yoga sessions as they offer a calming environment, helping to reduce stress and anxiety.
Kathryn Evans, Director of Operations at the Westway Sports Centre adds: “Following the success of the Paralympics, there’s a much greater awareness of people living with disabilities. The Westway Sports Centre is very much at the heart of the local community and we’re really proud to be the first venue in the UK to offer Adaptive Yoga classes. Following our trial sessions it’s been great to see how it can benefit a wide range of people and the feedback we’ve had so far has been really encouraging.”
Class instructor Frederique Sardais explains: “Adaptive Yoga helps people learn how to deepen their mind-body awareness and move through everyday life with more physical efficiency. The sessions are very much rooted in practical skills focused around yoga postures, breathing and relaxation techniques. We take things at a gentle pace and provide the perfect environment for people to be nurtured, socialise and most importantly have fun.”
Frederique Sardais, was the first instructor from the UK to be trained by USA-based Matthew Sanford, the founder of Adaptive Yoga.
The Westway Sports Centre is offering a five week introductory course, priced at £5 per session, on 4 November. Classes are restricted to 12 paces so to book or find out more, visit www.westwaysportscentre.org.uk
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