The free sessions will be weekly every Tuesday from 11am to 12pm, at Winchester Road Methodist Church in Chingford
People living with Parkinson’s and other movement conditions in Waltham Forest and the surrounding areas of East London are being invited to join a new chair-based yoga class aimed at helping more people to get active in a friendly, supportive and accessible way.
The free sessions will be weekly every Tuesday from 11am to 12pm, at Winchester Road Methodist Church, 82 Winchester Road, in Chingford.
Fully funded by Parkinson’s UK Physical Activity Grant and delivered by Yanar Alkayat – a highly experienced CNHC-registered yoga therapist and founder of Yanar Mind & Movement – these chair-based yoga classes are designed for all ages, abilities, levels of mobility and stages of the condition – no prior yoga experience needed.
The sessions are also suitable for wheelchair users and gentle enough for those using walking and mobility aids. Relatives and carers are welcome to join, meet others and enjoy moving together, too.
Yanar has her own personal connection to Parkinson’s after her mother was diagnosed with the condition over 15 years ago. As a result, Yanar decided to dedicate her yoga experience to supporting people living with Parkinson’s, focusing on gentle chair-based movement and relaxation practices to help manage symptoms and enhance daily mobility and wellbeing.
Yoga is proven to have many physical and emotional wellbeing benefits for people with Parkinson’s and other neurological conditions. These can include reduced stiffness, better/increased mobility, and increased muscle strength and joint health.
Yanar says: “The benefits of yoga postures, adapted for the chair, extend beyond improving mobility, posture and balance – they also lift the mood and support the nervous system, which is especially important when managing a health condition.
“Classes are always gentle and accessible to mobilise joints and stretch muscles. Breath awareness and relaxation practices such as Yoga Nidra – a guided practice to release physical and mental tension – help manage stress and enhance emotional wellbeing, leaving participants feeling energised and relaxed. I’m excited that this new class will bring mindful movement to even more people who need it.”
For more information about the chair-based yoga classes from Yanar Mind & Movement, visit their website and @yanarmindmovement on social media
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