BWY and Parkinson’s UK have announced a new partnership to make yoga more accessible for people living with Parkinson’s, their families, and caregivers. The collaboration aims to raise awareness about the benefits of yoga for people with Parkinson’s and provide yoga teachers with the tools and knowledge to adapt their classes for this community.
To kick off this partnership, the two organizations will be hosting a free 45-minute online chair yoga class on Friday, April 10th, in honor of World Parkinson’s Day (April 11th). Led by Special Yoga Teacher and BWY Tutor Richard Kravetz, the session will focus on safe and practical movements and breathing techniques that can be done while seated. The class is open to people with Parkinson’s, their supporters, and yoga teachers who are interested in learning how to adapt their classes for this community.
According to recent statistics from Parkinson’s UK, there are currently around 166,000 people in the UK living with a Parkinson’s diagnosis, with numbers expected to increase due to an aging population. Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition that affects movement and can cause symptoms such as tremors, stiffness, and slowness.
Previous studies have shown that yoga can have a positive impact on people with Parkinson’s, improving motor function, balance, mobility, and overall quality of life. Diana O’Reilly, Chair of BWY, comments on the potential benefits of yoga for people with Parkinson’s, saying, “Gentle chair-based practices can be adapted for almost everyone, which means people can participate safely whether they are newly diagnosed or have been living with Parkinson’s for many years.”
Jed Parsons, Physical Activity Delivery Manager for Parkinson’s UK, also speaks on the partnership, stating, “Yoga can be a powerful way to support strength, balance, mobility, and wellbeing, but too often people feel that classes aren’t accessible or suitable for them. By working together, we can give yoga teachers the confidence, skills, and understanding to adapt their practice, create welcoming environments, and ensure that people with Parkinson’s feel included from the very first session.”
The event is open to all and can be booked through the BWY website. Interested participants will need to create a free account or log in to an existing account to complete their booking.
The British Wheel of Yoga is a registered charity and the National Governing Body for Yoga in England and Wales. Their mission is to enrich lives through yoga and make it accessible and inclusive for all. They serve over 5000 members and have a network of 100 volunteers and a small central team to support their mission.
Parkinson’s UK is the leading charity for people affected by Parkinson’s, providing support, funding research, and advocating for better health and care. They recognize the importance of physical activity for people with Parkinson’s and work to ensure that they have safe, inclusive, and meaningful opportunities to stay active and independent.
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