Yoga for People with Parkinson’s
On World Parkinson’s Day, discover the power of accessible yoga: Free online chair yoga hosted by the British Wheel of Yoga (BWY)
Accessible yoga is about far more than modifying a posture. It fundamentally reimagines what a yoga practice can be so that people living with long-term health conditions can experience the same steadiness, ease and sense of connection as anyone else on the mat.
That vision sits at the heart of a new partnership between BWY and Parkinson's UK. Together, the two organisations are working to ensure yoga is genuinely welcoming for people living with Parkinson's, alongside their families and carers.
To mark World Parkinson's Day, BWY and Parkinson's UK are hosting a one-off free 45-minute online chair yoga class on Friday, 10 April. Places are limited, so early booking is essential. The session is open to all, from people living with Parkinson’s and those who support them to yoga teachers wanting to adapt their classes safely and inclusively. Led by Special Yoga Teacher and BWY tutor Richard Kravetz, the class will focus on practical seated movements and simple breathing techniques that can be explored with or without additional support.
Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition that affects movement and can cause symptoms such as tremor, stiffness and slowness. Around 166,000 people in the UK are currently living with a Parkinson’s diagnosis, according to Parkinson’s UK – a number that is expected to rise as our population ages. While medication and clinical care remain essential, growing evidence suggests yoga can play a valuable complementary role. Research has shown yoga may improve motor function, balance, functional mobility, mood and overall quality of life for people with Parkinson’s.
For BWY yoga teacher, Louise Croome, these benefits are deeply personal. When her father Len was diagnosed with Parkinson’s at 67, he was determined to stay independent, keep working as a signwriter and continue sailing and playing music. Louise introduced a gentle yoga programme rooted in seated leg work, simple twists, soft backbends, balance practices and guided relaxation, anchored by breath.
“Over time, yoga helped ease Dad’s tremor and stiffness, improve his digestion and posture, and make him feel steadier on his feet,” she explains. “The breathing practices and yoga nidra were especially powerful in reducing his anxiety and helping him relax more deeply, and the practices became a shared ritual that helped us all feel more connected and less helpless.”
This partnership is part of BWY's broader commitment to making yoga inclusive, spanning teacher training, CPD, community classes and digital offerings. By removing barriers and challenging assumptions about who yoga is for, BWY and Parkinson's UK are helping to ensure that everyone feels welcome in yoga spaces.
For full event details and to book your free place, visit the BWY event page: https://shorturl.at/4GA5f
Om Magazine
First published in November 2009, OM Yoga magazine has become the most popular yoga title in the UK. Available from all major supermarkets, independents and newsstands across the UK. Also available on all digital platforms.
