Dartmoor residents could benefit from Parkinson's UK rural yoga plans

A new partnership aims to improve access to yoga for people living with Parkinson’s across Devon, with hopes it could benefit rural communities around Dartmoor in the future.

Parkinson’s UK has joined forces with British Wheel of Yoga to expand opportunities for people with the condition to take part in accessible classes.

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The initiative will focus on increasing the number of tailored sessions, as well as providing training for yoga instructors to better understand Parkinson’s and adapt their teaching.

However, access to specialist classes on Dartmoor and surrounding areas remains limited.

Heather Worth, South West area development manager at Parkinson’s UK, said there is currently very little yoga provision in the county specifically designed for people with Parkinson’s.

She said: “We have so little yoga activity in Devon tailored specifically for people with Parkinson’s. The nearest to Dartmoor would be the Exeter class which runs every Tuesday.”

She added that improving access in rural areas is a key aim of the partnership.

“We would love to see some more yoga sessions led by Parkinson’s-trained instructors across Devon and especially in rural communities such as those on or around Dartmoor.

“We know how keeping active is crucial for people with Parkinson’s and a barrier can be accessing classes due to living rurally, public transport, no longer driving, anxiety and motivation.”

The partnership is intended to help overcome these barriers by offering more local opportunities and better-trained instructors.

“Giving people more options and more exercise classes nearer to them is part of our longer-term plans,” Ms Worth said.

“Yoga is an amazing activity for any of us and is so brilliant for people with Parkinson’s for physical and mental wellbeing.”

Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition with more than 40 symptoms, including tremor, pain and anxiety, with no current cure.

According to Parkinson’s UK, someone in the UK is diagnosed with the condition every 20 minutes.

To mark the launch of the partnership and World Parkinson’s Day (Saturday 11 April), a free online chair yoga session is being held today (Friday 10 April). 

The class is designed for people with Parkinson’s, their families and carers, as well as yoga instructors looking to make their sessions more inclusive.

Organisers say the session will focus on simple seated movements and breathing techniques to support mobility and mindfulness.

The partnership partners hope the initiative will lead to more inclusive activities being available locally, particularly in areas where access to support can be more limited.