Yoga for Osteoporosis - West Bridgford Methodist Church - Adult Learning

• Date: 25 April - 11 July 2025
• Sessions: Fridays: 1pm - 2:30pm
• No. sessions: 11
• Venue: West Bridgford Methodist Church, Nottingham
• For ages: 19+
• Group size: 5 - 15
• Cost: FREE - £57.75

On this course, we will introduce Yoga's gentle, low impact movements - ideal for those with osteopenia (the stage before osteoporosis) and osteoporosis. The course is also suitable for those with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis often experienced alongside osteoporosis.

Yoga will help to lubricate joints and keep them moving smoothly; improve strength, flexibility, balance, co-ordination, endurance, muscle mass, agility and energy level - all important for adults with osteoporosis.

Your 'approach' to yoga and 'how' you practice will also help you to develop an increased level of awareness, which in turn will lead to practicing with an increased attentiveness to your body - getting to know yourself by listening to your body's feedback and responding appropriately.

The course is suitable for all ages, for beginners and those who already practice yoga. Each week there is a simple, step by step guided practice where we work on a variety of postures which are adapted and modified. The practices and techniques include slow, gentle, straightforward movements; breathing techniques and relaxation.

What Yoga can do for you:

• Improve posture
• Create better balance
• Increase range of movement
• Make you stronger
• Refine your co-ordination
• Lower blood pressure
• Alleviate stress & anxiety

What will learners achieve by the end of the course?

• To understand postures to increase strength, correct alignment and improve balance
• To understand how to modify & adapt postures to suit individual needs
• To build stamina and improve focus
• To practise moving with a neutral spine
• To practise moving slowly and mindfully

No prior skills or knowledge required. This course is for beginners and improvers.

A safe practice.

Check with your doctor before joining the course to make sure it's suitable for you. It is important that you practise at a pace that is appropriate for your needs. If you feel that the class is too strong, please speak to Caroline Arthur and she will advise on how to modify & adapt the practice further. It is important to listen to your body and not to ignore painful warning signs and to observe instructions on safety or technique at all times. If you experience any pain during or after the class, please inform your teacher straight away.

Approach

• Keep a positive attitude and an eagerness to move forward
• Be open and curious
• Take your time to observe and reflect
• This will ensure a greater understanding of the yoga practice

Basic requirements for yoga practice:

• Non-slip mat, cushion/towel, block, belt.
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing
• Always remove shoes.
• Have a light meal 1 and a half to 2 hours before a practice.
• Please inform the teacher of any ailments, e.g. back trouble, blood pressure etc. There is a confidential health questionnaire available for this.
• If you are in any doubt about practising yoga, please consult your doctor.
• Always practise gently - there isn't any strain in yoga and no competition.
• Please always ask if you are in any doubt about anything.

Resources/materials can be purchased from:

• The British Wheel of Yoga The British Wheel of Yoga (bwy.org.uk)
• Ekotex Yoga Sustainable Yoga Mats, Yoga Equipment, Accessories & Yoga Bolsters (ekotexyoga.co.uk)

Suggested Reading and related articles for the course:

• Dr. Loren Fishman, MD, and Ellen Saltonstall Yoga for Osteoporosis
• Lori Newell, MA Yoga for Those with Osteoporosis
• Margaret Martin Yoga for Better Bones
• Marye Wyvill Bones for Life

If you are in receipt of certain benefits you will be offered the course for free, however if you have a financial barrier which may prevent you from enrolling on the course, please visit our webpage for further information https://www.inspireculture.org.uk/skills-learning/funding-your-courses/

To secure your place on the course BOTH the following must be done:

• Complete the EVENTBRITE BOOKING, AND
• Complete our INSPIRE ONLINE ENROLMENT FORM for each person attending the course.

You should be redirected to the Inspire Online Enrolment Form after completing the Eventbrite booking. If you are not redirected, please use the link supplied in the Eventbrite booking confirmation email.

To book and enrol on one of our courses, you must have been living in England and have been resident in the UK for the past 3 years.

Some exceptions may apply if you are living in England with evidence of the right to remain and are from an EEU/EEAU country (completion of a questionnaire will be required). As we no longer receive funding for our ESFA-funded courses for learners living in the devolved areas listed below, full cost fees would apply to these courses if you live in these areas:

• Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield
• Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
• Greater London
• Greater Manchester
• Liverpool City Region
• Newcastle Upon Tyne, North Tyneside and Northumberland
• Tees Valley
• West of England
• West Midlands
• West Yorkshire

Check the FAQs page, or get in touch:

• By phone: 01623 677 200
• By email: [email protected]

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