NHS Staying Well Service in Staffordshire Offers Free Chair Yoga Classes Funded by Midlands-Based Volunteers
Staffordshire, UK – The NHS Staying Well Service in Staffordshire is now offering free chair yoga classes to its patients. These classes, funded by volunteers from the British Wheel of Yoga (BWY), are designed to help those needing extra support stay active, relax, and reconnect with their bodies.
The bi-weekly classes are held at Barlaston Village Hall and are led by Trentham-based yoga teacher Sarah Dean. Dean, inspired by her students’ needs, began offering chair yoga classes in May of last year. She quickly realized the life-changing benefits these classes had for her students.
“I’ve seen people come in feeling stiff, stressed, and disconnected from their bodies, and leave with smiles on their faces, able to move more freely,” said Sarah. “I wanted to make yoga easier to access, so those people who need it most have the opportunity to experience it.”
Chair yoga offers a welcome alternative to traditional postures, which can be challenging for many older adults. The sessions combine gentle chair-based movements, breathing exercises, and relaxation techniques, helping people build strength, improve flexibility, and find inner calm.
Karen Foster, a participant in the chair yoga classes, shared her experience, saying, “Traditional yoga was never an option for me due to my limited mobility and flexibility. But chair yoga has made a remarkable difference in my life – both physically and mentally. The meditation leaves me feeling incredibly relaxed, and the best part is I get to enjoy it alongside a wonderful group of people.”
The BWY Midlands committee funds these classes as part of their Yoga in Action initiative, which aims to make yoga accessible to communities across Britain. By removing financial barriers, the funding ensures that people referred through the NHS Staying Well Service can attend for free.
Di O’Reilly, BWY Chair, expressed her excitement about supporting initiatives like this that offer relief and a sense of connection for people in Staffordshire. “As a charity, we’re committed to ensuring the benefits of yoga are accessible to everyone,” said O’Reilly. “Through our Yoga in Action campaign, we’re working to bring yoga to those who need it most.”
For more information about these classes, please visit: https://serenitywithsarah.co.uk/products/chair-yoga-1.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.