Plymouths First Donation Based Yoga Therapy Course

During the months of October and November 2017 a yoga therapy course was run in a Plymouth Community Centre. The results have been hailed a success, attendance overall was 87%. The age range was between 18 and 69.

Initial health complaints included:

• Arthritis in shoulder/shoulder pain from tear
• Lower back and lumbar pain
• Intermittent depression
• Fibromyalgia
• Asthma
• Sciatica
• Poor Circulation
• Difficulty sleeping

A symptom assessment scale was completed by all participants and this outlined a main symptom and a scale of 0-10 of the severity of the experience at the beginning of the sessions and then after session 8

Listed below are the average improvements. (10 being the most severe)

Symptom 5th Oct 30th Nov

• Difficulty Sleeping: 4.6 1.8
• Lower Back Pain 5 1.6
• Breathing Problems 4.3 1.1
• Digestion problems 4.1 1
• Low Mood 5.5 0.8
• Headache 4.5 1

Most marked improvements

• Lower back pain: 9 to 3; 7 to 2; 4 to 1; 9 to 1
• Breathing problems: 9 to 2; 4 to 0
• Low mood: 3 to 0, 8 to 1, 10 to 0
• Digestion problems: 6 to 2
• Headache: 7 to 2

Individuals reported improvements for individual symptoms

• Knee pain 9 5
• Upper back pain 9 4
• Sciatica 5 1
• Shoulder pain 8.5 5
• Fibromyalgia 9 3

Some quotes from attendees:

• I really loved the pigeon posture. It has really improved my sciatica.
• Greatly helped with lower back pain
• Physically I feel much better, the sinus infection has shifted which had been lingering, my general wellbeing has improved.
• After the class my mood really lifts and I am more positive.
• I feel very energised after the session.
• I don’t know what you have done but my back has stopped hurting.
• An excellent course, yoga therapy works!! Better than and tablets or drugs.
• The classes have really helped heal back pain and the pain in my knee is clearing too.