“It has been a wonderful privilege to teach and watch the children’s confidence on and off the yoga mat grow with every session”

Woolwich Inclusive Yoga sessions launched at The Tramshed in February 2020, bringing together a diverse group of children ranging from 9 to 16 years of age, with a range of disabilities and abilities.

Kelly, our fantastic yoga instructor, provided children with the opportunity to relax and focus the body and mind whilst socially connecting with other young people regardless of their background and ability. Yoga proved popular as a new inclusive activity and saw familiar faces returning each week to participate.

However, the unprecedented impact of Covid-19 saw sessions come to a halt after the national lockdown was imposed in March 2020. Supporting mental wellbeing and physical health became a priority during this time and so sessions were quickly adapted to continue at the same time each week online via Zoom, with a primary focus on mindfulness to ensure children still had the opportunity to be active and interact with others whilst at home.  

Since then, Access Sport has worked with Kelly to deliver sessions online, to create wellbeing and mindful resources, and to run sessions in person at The Tramshed. Each young person now has their own yoga mat and so can participate at home and outside their weekly sessions with Kelly.

“My daughter has been to a number of physical and online sessions and really enjoys them. She has cerebral palsy and the sessions have really helped her work all the muscles that need working. Kelly has been amazing and is so good with the children.” 

Throughout 2020 and 2021, despite it being difficult for all, Kelly has worked hard to support the young people and families who take part in the weekly inclusive yoga sessions. Each week, the young people check in with each other and chat with their friends, and then Kelly uses yoga as a way to help them concentrate on themselves and how they are feeling. The young people attending have really benefitted, with many leaving the sessions feeling happier in themselves, as well as their families noticing positive changes in confidence, and self-esteem, both on and off of the mat. Woolwich Inclusive Yoga is helping to develop their mindfulness, their coping strategies  as well as improving their overall mental wellbeing.

“It has been a wonderful privilege to teach and watch the children’s confidence on and off the yoga mat grow with every session”