Y
oga has some powerful allies
as it seeks to gain greater
acceptance within the NHS.
That includes HRH Prince
Charles who provided a written
foreword at a recent London conference on
the inclusion of yoga in the health service. A
long-term advocate of alternative therapies
and environmental issues, he said the uptake
of yoga is a positive development for society
as a whole.
“The increasing interest and participation
in yoga in this country, and its positive impact
on improving health and wellness, is being
ever more widely recognised,” he noted.
“By its very nature, yoga builds discipline
and supports self-care, all of which
contribute to improved health. Indeed, when
practiced within a group, it has tremendous
social beneits as well.”
The conference was attended by senior
healthcare and NHS oicials, as well as
hundreds of yoga teachers and therapists.Yoga in the NHS
om beginnings
Yoga’s time is now for inclusion in the NHS, senior healthcare
igures tell London conference
Founder of the Yoga in Healthcare
Alliance, Heather Mason, who organised
the event, said: “Yoga has the potential to
reduce pressure on the NHS.” That includes
potential cost savings, a high priority
for budget-conscious health managers,
she added.
And there seems to be plenty of goodwill
from high-proile healthcare executives.
“I think it is your time,” Duncan Selbie,
chief executive of Public Health England, told
a packed hall full of yoga experts. He also
vowed to do all he could to get yoga more
“visibility and legitimacy” in the conversation
among healthcare planners, policy makers
and executives.
With support from senior royals that
visibility is rapidly on the rise.
“For thousands of years, millions of
people have experienced yoga’s ability
to improve their lives,” noted HRH Prince
Charles. “This ancient practice has proven
beneicial efects on both body and mind.The development of therapeutic, evidence-
based yoga is, I believe, an excellent
example of how yoga can contribute to
health and healing. This not only beneits the
individual, but also conserves precious and
expensive health resources for others where
and when they are most needed.”
He added: “I will watch the development
of therapeutic yoga in the UK with great
interest.”To register your support or ind out more
visit: yogainhealthcarealliance.comHeather
Mason