Yoga

Yoga can enhance muscular strength and body flexibility. It can also improve respiratory and cardiovascular function, reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and chronic pain, improve sleep patterns, and enhance one's overall sense of wellbeing and quality of life.

Getting started

Most forms of yoga are not strenuous enough to count towards your 150 minutes of moderate activity. However, yoga does count as a strengthening exercise, and at least 2 sessions a week will help you meet the guidelines on muscle-strengthening activities.

Online videos can be a good way to try yoga, especially if you struggle to get time away from caring. Our Parks is running free live yoga classes every evening which you can sign up for in advance.

Yoga with Adriene is a popular YouTube channel with hundreds of free videos which you can do from home as and when you get the chance. On Adriene’s channel you will find shorter and longer sessions as well as sessions for complete beginners and people with more experience.

Podcasts are also available which can talk you through the basics without having to look at a screen. Katya has produced over 100 podcasts supporting people to do yoga on their own.

You may prefer to get started by attending a class. The British Wheel of Yoga website has a search function where you can enter your postcode and search for classes available in your area. 

More information about getting started with yoga can be found on the NHS website.

Equipment needed 

You may find it more comfortable to use a mat underneath you. Some people also find yoga blocks helpful or a blanket for extra support.

Top tips

Practise mindfulness

Mindfulness is all about paying more attention to the present moment, to your own thoughts and feelings and to the world around you.

Finding time on your own to relax isn’t always easy as a carer, but mindfulness can be done alongside yoga to help support your mental health. With practice, you can become more aware of your thoughts, feelings and sensations when doing everyday activities or some people find it helpful to set aside ten minutes of the day to do more formal practice using an app such as Headspace.

There is more information about mindfulness and some suggested starting points on the NHS website.

Worried about an injury or condition?

These warm up and cool down suggestions from the NHS can also help reduce the risk of injury.
Speak to your doctor if you are concerned about how this exercise could affect an existing condition or injury. Always let your instructor know to if you have any concerns if you're attending a class in person. Then they will gladly suggest alternatives for you.