YIHA logo

A 10 week course to help improve your mental and physical health and wellbeing

This course is designed to help 

  • your mental health including anxiety, stress and mild depression
  • lower your risk of diabetes type 2
  • lose and control your weight
  • lower your risk of heart disease and improve your heart health
  • improve your breathing and lung capacity
  • you be more active and less sedentary
  • connect with others
Copy of CONNECT WITH OTHERS-2

Mat or chair based

Suitable for Beginners

This 10-week course offers yoga for all and incorporates the chair for those who prefer to be sat rather than sitting/lying on the floor. You do not need any prior experience. Beginners and people of any age and ability are welcome. Every practice will be adapted and modified as required, ensuring that you can participate fully, working at your own pace in a supportive and non-judgemental environment.

Yoga and Mindfulness

Each of the 10 sessions will last two hours and includes:

  • Breathing practices
  • Yoga postures within your safe limits
  • Meditation and mindfulness
  • Relaxation
  • Psycho-education and discussion

This course is educational and experiential. You will find postures to soothe you and also build strength and flexibility, improve mobility and balance.

Home practice is encouraged during the duration of the programme. Take home material and on-line videos are included in the programme.

yoga class
relaxation
Helping alleviate functional disorders

Associated conditions including fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, irritable bowel (IBS), fertility issues, elimination issues, chronic fatigue (CFS), and many other functional disorders where there is no pathological cause may also be significantly improved.

On-going feedback

YIHA is licensed to use the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS) which provides a widely accepted measure of your current mental health. If you agree, you are asked to complete this survey at the beginning and end of the Yoga4Health 10-week programme. Helping with on-going medical research to further confirm yoga as a reliable and effective health care intervention.

JBY Yoga4Health InfoGraphic

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I register for the programme?

Evidence based yoga available as a social prescription activity

Speak to your GP about yoga as a valuable and reliable healthcare intervention and they may refer you to a link worker who can discuss further with you your individual needs and your suitability for the yoga4health programme or suggest alternatives.

Alternatively, you can secure yourself onto the yoga4health 10 week programme by self referring.  

What do I need to bring?

All props are provided including blankets however, you may wish to bring your own yoga mat if you have one, an additional blanket and/or maybe some cosy socks for your relaxation. Bring some water as well to ensure you stay hydrated.

If you are undertaking the on-line course then a mat is useful although not specifically required. Also useful is a cushion and a belt or scarf and blanket for relaxation.

What do I need to wear?

Wear comfortable clothes you can move in. You are welcome to keep your socks on but please ensure they are non slip.

I'm unsure if I will enjoy it?

Subject to availability, you are welcome to come along to the first session and then enrol for the full 10 week course once you are confident that the course may benefit you. Simply signup to your chosen course and choose the pay later option.  

I can't make week 1

Enrolment closes after week 2.

Therefore, if you are unable to make week 1 but are able to make week 2 then you may still undertake the course choosing to pay the full course fee or the pay as you go option (see below).

Regrettably, if you have not been able to attend weeks 1 or 2 then it is not possible for you to attend subsequent weeks of that particular course.

Can I join the wait list for the next course

Absolutely yes. To join the wait list click below and mention where you are located and which course you are interested in attending; either Woking, Jacobs Well, Guildford, Godalming, Hove or Haywards Heath. Also mention time of day that you would prefer.

Join the wait list

NHS Staff Wellbeing

The 10 week course can also be provided in a health care facility/GP practice or hospital for a fixed fee.

Helping restore and maintain optimal health of the staff and programme aligns with the NHS' 5 year forward view of improving staff well-being.

Contact Jo for more details.

DE-STRESS BREATHE CONNECT-4

Student Testimonials

Take time for me

Ability to reconnect with my spirit. To the true me that has been suppressed by circumstances.
Ability to relax, take time for me, create a personal space to meditate, practice and relax. The home study, handouts and videos helped - Extremely enjoyable.
Jo is brilliant and allows each of us personal time and the ability to work within our own capabilities. Always encouraging and supportive.”

Surprised myself

Able to shut myself away and practice yoga alone. Surprised at what a priority it has become, more awareness for what my body is feeling and a knowledge of how yoga breathing and movement can help heal/soothe/relax/slight. Additionally have had some weight loss/toning - Enjoyed the 2 hour sessions - Jo is an excellent teacher. Surprised myself by how committed I was to daily practice. Definitely glad I did the course. Big thing I learnt is that slower can be better and more effective in yoga and everyday life.

Greater understanding

Very understanding teacher. Aware of different levels, progressed at a pace to suit all. Took us through all stages, so we were aware of the effects on our body and gave a greater understanding of what is happening during practice eg with our breathing. Particularly liked the home sheets, practice, tips and information to use at home. 

Huge and positive impact on me

I have very much enjoyed the yoga course. The first few weeks had a huge and positive impact on me, I enjoyed the practice and the relaxation/meditation. - Overall I liked everything. The only thing I found challenging was feeling quite exhausted mentally and physically afterwards.

I feel healthy

My body feels stronger, I am more aware of my breathing. I feel healthy and more relaxed. I have been keeping well and avoided catching any winter viruses. - I meditate every day using the pause at the end of the breath. I practise 10 minutes of yoga every morning. - I loved the slower paced practise. For many years the yoga I have done has been faster and I love the thinking of each movement and being more aware of the breath during each pose. I almost feel trance like during the session. I certainly feel the most relaxed I've ever been doing yoga.

Connecting to others

The breathing techniques have been very helpful in everyday life when faced with challenges. Also, the connection with other people in similar circumstances in a nurturing environment has given me a boost and increased self esteem.

IMG_7239-square (1)

Jo Burningham

Helping and empowering individuals to improve their own health and wellbeing with yoga

Jo has had yoga in her life since a teenager. Always striving heard to achieve success in her 30 years in IT whilst studying anatomy, physiology, psychology and yoga. Teaching for 7+ years and practising for 35 years, Jo originally studied yoga with Dr. Elena Voyce and subsequently studied Yoga Therapy with Yoga Campus before training in the yoga4health protocol with Yoga In Healthcare Alliance. Through challenging teenage years and a stressful corporate career, yoga has always been Jo's tool to regain focus and overcome body and mind challenges.

Read Jo's Story

Designed by the UK’s leading yoga therapists and yoga teachers

The 10 week programme fuses ancient practices with modern medical science. Designed by the UK’s leading yoga therapists and yoga teachers, including Paul Fox, former Chair of the British Wheel of Yoga; Dr Robin Monro, founder of the Yoga Biomedical Trust; Heather Mason, founder of the Minded Institute; Dr Ned Harfiel of Bangor University; and Emily Brett, founder of Ourmala.

This ensures that the programme is of the highest standard and sensitive to patient needs.

The programme is devised by the Yoga In Health Care Alliance. A social enterprise that is enabling the UK National Health Service to provide yoga to its patients. Encouraging and enabling the NHS and yoga teachers to work together effectively.

Yoga is an effective ‘mind-body’ medicine that can both prevent and manage chronic health issues and it also delivers significant cost savings to healthcare providers.

 

In a cohort of around 17,000 patients

25% were practising mind-body techniques

of which 43% presented less often to the health services