Chair Yoga: a glimmer of hope , is a film created by Catriona Phillips for YoGlasgow! and highlights the work we do.
Where can you find an exercise class with over 40 regular participants affected by chronic health conditions such as arthritis, joint pain, weight issues, anxiety, depression, Parkinson’s, fibromyalgia, cancer, stroke recovery, depression and loneliness? At YoGlasgow!’s hugely popular network of community Chair Yoga clubs delivered across the north-east of Glasgow (Baillieston, Barmulloch, Bridgeton, Coatbridge, Easterhouse, Garthamlock, Possilpark and Springburn).
Whether you come with a walking aid or in a wheelchair, everyone is made welcome. YoGlasgow! delivers classes in community centres accessible on public transport. People are encouraged to join in at their own pace and ‘back out’ of anything that doesn’t feel right for them. The sessions are playful and informative with clear explanations of the many health benefits.
Many participants attend twice a week. Either at the same venue or at two different venues. And some couples come together. Daughters bring mothers. Carers come with the person the care for.
The feedback has been amazing in terms of physical, mental and social benefits – friendships have been forged, bereavements have been supported and a Chair Yoga community has been born. We saw this in action at YoGlasgow!’s BIG Chair Yoga Event in October 2023 when over 100 Chair Yogis came together. This resulted in an invitation from Ivan McKee MSP (a member of the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee) to showcase a Chair Yoga session at the Scottish Parliament on 29 May 2024.
YoGlasgow! is on course to take Chair Yoga to the next level, working towards securing statutory funding from the Scottish Government for inclusive Chair Yoga to promote community self-care.
We are always keen to hear from the community. Whether it is to let us know that you’d like more classes or for us to focus on a particular area (improving breathing, reducing anxiety, meeting other people). Please email us at yoglasgow@yahoo.com or contact us via our Facebook page. Or via Get in Touch on the website. Or contact us directly: Mick 0790 5581309 and Caroline 0794 6294658.
Listen to what the Chair Yogis have to say for themselves. You can find them below
There are also short classes on our YouTube channel if you are stuck at home.
We work with health practitioners to provide therapeutic yoga programmes for groups of clients. This can be mat-based or chair-based. Or a mixture of both.
We teach friendly community classes.
We also teach Chair Yoga which makes yoga accessible to anyone who finds getting down onto a mat difficult. Get in touch using our contact form to find out more or call/text Caroline on 07946294658.
We offer yoga programmes that provide a yoga toolbox for a range of stuff such as stress, bad backs, anxiety and insomnia.
We teach yoga to improve physical and mental health and bring people together. Chair Yoga is a great way to meet people and find support from others with similar symptoms and circumstances. There’s nothing more helpful than someone’s own experience that can be shared.
Monday 12.30 to 1.30 – CHAIR YOGA Easterhouse Phoenix Centre, 5 Shandwick St, G34 9DP. Free. All welcome – especially if you would like to do yoga but can’t get up and down onto floor. Call/Text Caroline for more info: 07946294658.
Tuesday 10 to 11 am – CHAIR YOGA BCDC Barmulloch Residents Centre, 54 Quarrywood Road, Glasgow, G21 3ET. Free – donations welcome.
Tuesday 11.45 to 12.45 – CHAIR YOGA Possilpark Parish Church, 124 Saracen St, Glasgow G21 1TU. Free. Call/Text Caroline for more info: 07946294658.
Tuesday 1.30 to 2.30 pm – CHAIR YOGA Brighter Baillieston. 30 spaces (first come, first serve), Garrowhill Community Centre, 31 Maxwell Drive, G69 6LU. £3.
Thursday 9.30 to 10.30 am – CHAIR YOGA Bridgeton Community Learning Campus, 68 Dale St, Glasgow G40 4TL. Free. Call/Text Mick for more info: 07905581309.
Thursday 10 to 11 am- MAT YOGA BCDC Barmulloch Residents Centre, 54 Quarrywood Road, Glasgow, G21 3ET. Mat-based class suitable for all levels. Free. Call/Text Caroline: 07946294658 for more info.
Thursday 11.30 to 12.30 – CHAIR YOGA Connect Community Trust, 39 Conisborough Rd, G34 9QN Chair-based class suitable for all levels. Free. Call/Text Mick for more info: 07905581309.
Friday 10 to 11 am – CHAIR YOGA Coatbridge Indoor Bowling, Quarry St, ML5 3PU – Coatbridge Community Yoga. £3. Call/Text Mick for more info: 07905581309.
Friday 11 to 12 pm – CHAIR YOGA Springburn Parish Church, 180 Springburn Way, Glasgow G21 1TU. Free. Call/Text Caroline for more info: 07946294658.
Friday 12.30 to 1.30 pm – CHAIR YOGA Easterhouse Phoenix Centre, 5 Shandwick St, G34 9DP. All welcome. Free. Call/Text Mick for more info: 07905581309.
Friday 6 to 7 pm – MAT YOGA Easterhouse Phoenix Centre, 5 Shandwick St, G34 9DP – Jillian’s YoGlasgow! drop-in class. All welcome. Mats and blankets provided. Cost £5. First class free. Call/Text Jillian: 07876 207284 for more info.
Online Chair Classes can be accessed on our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@yoglasgow1211
Personally, I didn’t have a lot of confidence. I have depression and suffer with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and arthritis. I thought how can one thing help with all that... but it’s amazing that it has. It’s made a big influence on my life, helping me to sleep better and feel more relaxed within myself.
I’ve had spinal ops and since I came here I’ve been able to do something rather than doing nothing. Before, I’d been really bad with my back, but this has really helped it. Any other people who’ve went through what I’ve went through have given up.
It has been greatly beneficial to me. I struggle with day to day tasks and socialising. Yoga has helped me with this. I now look forward to going to class and have made friends too. It has also helped me with anxiety attack as I can have them every day, the breathing exercises help control this. After my last session I had lots more energy and it lasted for a few days, my mindset was different also.
My joints have been stretched. Meeting new people is beneficial. Met someone I knew years ago. Nice to catch up.
I am much more relaxed after the yoga. Family, especially grandchildren, say I am not so stressful or excited.
Felt these sessions very beneficial and has really helped me de-stress. As I have been trying to do these breathing exercises at home. And enjoyed feeling relaxed.
To find out more about YoGlasgow!, you can complete the enquiry form below, call/text Caroline on 07946294658 or Mick on 07905 581309. You can also email info@yoglasgow.org.uk
