I came to teach Therapeutic Yoga following my studies with Yoga Therapy Ireland from 2015 to 2018. I began studying 500-hour YTT and quickly followed up with the Advanced Skills & Yoga as a Therapy. In 2020 I returned to further studies with an MSc. in Mindfulness Based Interventions with UCD.

Through the inspiration of my YTI tutors, Elma Toland & Jakki Reid, who were already working in the field of Therapeutic Yoga, I knew this is where I wanted to be. To move away from my corporate software career, and to move towards a more holistic and connected role, working with people in groups or individually.

In recent years I have expanded my classes to work with several groups including Fingal Sports, Men's Shed and Active Age for All. I work with these teams to focus on bespoke courses focusing on accessibility, encouraging daily movement, and providing opportunities for people to connect within the community.

Participant needs are varied, ranging from early learning including neurodivergent children, individuals recovering or living with illness or injury, up to and including participants in their 90s focusing on maintaining strength, flexibility, and mobility as best they can.

To provide greater insights to why people come to therapeutic yoga classes I posed some questions to my classes and here are responses from 7 different individuals below. If you are not already offering Therapeutic Yoga, I hope their responses inspire you to investigate further as it is incredibly rewarding.

Can you briefly describe yourself - age, gender, occupation, any illness, injury, or pre-existing conditions

1. Male. Prefer not to say age or conditions.

2. Male, 62 years. Triple right knee replacement left knee replacement; I am out of work 9 years due to this disability.

3. Male, 71 years. Cardiac meds, Arthritis for 40+ years, prosthetics. Fractured both femurs in May 2024. Severe damage to L1 & T1 on vertebrae limiting mobility and flexibility. Right hip severely emaciated. Preparing for possible surgery in 2025.

4. Male, 75 years. Retired compositor/cad operator. Cancer 4 years ago all good at the moment. Swim twice a week, pickle ball once a week.

5. Male, young at heart 66 years. Retired for a couple of years. No illness or injuries.

6. Female, 68 years, no illness. I had torn meniscus operation on left knee.

7. Female, 83 years. Stenosis of the spine, non-specific fibrosis.

What is it that attracted you to the class initially?

1. Stress relief.

2. Monday morning in the men's shed.

3. Seeking every opportunity to improve my fitness.

4. Maintain flexibility.

5. Our class is a decent age-appropriate workout which include Mind, Body, and Spirit. Excellent banter between the students if you can call them "students" and Córa with insights into how the moves and resistance band work on core muscle groups as well as joints and bones.

6. Chair yoga because I'm not able to do floor yoga.

7. Because it was aimed at my age group & ability.

What is it that keeps you coming to the class?

1. It works for stress relief for me.

2. Feel great after attending the class.

3. The quality & range of exercises presented.

4. Expert instructor and the craic.

5. The social nature of the group and the way Córa introduces the next steps to improve one's core muscle groups as well as the presences of mind and body for each attendee.

6. Enjoy the chair yoga session with Córa & feel brilliant after each class.

7. Because I feel so good after it!

How do you feel the class benefits you?

1. Stress relief.

2. That I'm actually doing some exercises.

3. A sense of feeling these sessions improve my fitness.

4. Keep me fit and makes it easy to put belt on in car.

5. It introduces not only Yoga but poetry and intuitive thinking to inspire ones being that you are now at the start of a new phase of your life.

6. It has made me aware of every part of my body that needs exercise.

7. It helps me to keep mobile.

What is the biggest takeaway you have from this class?

1. I'm relaxed.

2. That I am able to do the exercises sitting down and not standing all the time.

3. Exercises involving the resistance bands.

4. Relaxed.

5. How much you can see all the participants improve and grow with confidence and over all movement and muscle health.

6. Feeling very relaxed.

7. The feeling of wellbeing after the class.

What one thing would you say to anyone considering attending a therapeutic yoga class?

1. Start the classes for stress relief.

2. Definitely worth a try, feel great after class.

3. Don't hesitate!

4. Do it once and you'll keep coming back.

5. Embrace it as a new start of your life's journey for we all walk our own path but sometimes we need assistance in following the correct and safe signposts.

6. To come and try it and see the benefit one gets.

7. Don't hesitate to - the benefits are enormous.

Is there anything else you would like to add about your experience of therapeutic yoga?

1. You will love it.

2. Motion is lotion - anything is better than doing nothing.

3. I am considering engaging in one-to-one classes of this type.

4. Nothing else to note.

5. Córa is the essence of what you would look for in a teacher/instructor as she walks with you and brings a sense of peace and joy to an exercise class.

6. Highly recommended & Córa is a wonderful teacher.

7. Sorry I didn't take it up earlier.

Article originally created for YTI newsletter and quarterly magazine.

Photo from Mens Sheds, Swords