With another coronavirus lockdown underway at the moment and seemingly nobody sure what the future holds, the need to relax is imperative. So those kind folks at Sheffield Cycling 4 All have set up an online yoga class – a form of exercise that focuses on strength, flexibility and breathing to boost physical and mental wellbeing. Our intrepid reporter, Disability Sheffield volunteer John Quinn tells us his tale of taking part.
Sheffield Cycling 4 All, a project run by Disability Sheffield, was forced to cancel its regular outdoor events during the first lockdown so started their Move And Chat sessions to keep people exercising. This proved a success, so SC4A co-ordinators Tom and Rosemary decided to look at ways to allow people to wind down and get de-stressed.
The result is Yoga 4 All, with weekly classes run by experienced yoga teacher Jane Collins, who says: “I fell in love with yoga in my early twenties. Twenty years later, after lots of training and studying and trying things out, I’ve gathered a good amount of knowledge about different people and different bodies. I love being able to adapt traditional yoga practices to suit all kinds of different abilities. My friend Tom works for Sheffield Cycling 4 All and he knows about my work. He asked me if I was available to teach and so the Yoga 4 All class was born. I love teaching it and sharing the benefits of yoga with the group.”
The sessions are designed to suit people with a range of disabilities – you can sit on a chair or on the floor in any room in the house, wear anything comfortable and have a PA with you if required – and you can join the group in a series of breathing, movement and relaxation exercises.
And it seems that those she teaches love it as much as Jane does. I found it very relaxing but just to make sure I wasn’t the only one I asked some of the other participants what they thought. Jackie says: “Jane is a very good teacher, The exercise is just what I need to help my recovery from stroke”
“I could wax lyrical on the intensity of the pleasure and immense satisfaction I received because of the sessions”, comments C. Hands
“I was surprised how effective it felt even though I was sitting down. I thought it went much more easily on Zoom than I expected too. I do try to do stretches and exercises but it is so much easier with the discipline and encouragement of someone like you to watch and guide,” says Netti.
“It’s one of the highlights of my week, I always sleep well after and it’s helped me manage my chronic pain levels,” says Kelly.Jane and SC4A have also done a series of videos to give you a sample of what the classes are like. There are also a series of Move And Chat videos to enjoy, featuring personal trainer Joe Edmonds, who hosts the sessions every week.
Yoga 4 All takes place every Tuesday evening from 7-8pm, whereas Move And Chat is from 11am to noon on Wednesdays. Both take place on free live streaming website Zoom.
If you would like to take part you can email info@sheffieldcycling4all.org or call Tom on 07922 183338 or Rosemary on 07565 695296. You will have to fill in a short health check form first then you will be given a Zoom ID and password so you can join the sessions.
