Community Members
Yoga4Health is a gentle, evidence-informed 10-week programme designed to support your overall health and wellbeing through simple, accessible yoga practices.
Developed in collaboration with healthcare professionals and inspired by work within the NHS, Yoga4health Ireland offers a holistic approach to supporting you to achieve lifestyle change.
Each session includes gentle movement (on a chair or mat), breath awareness, relaxation, and practical tools that can be used in everyday life to help manage stress, support mental wellbeing, build confidence, and home practice skills, encourages gentle physical activity and mobility, supporting overall physical wellbeing.
This programme may be especially supportive if you are experiencing stress, low mood, or anxiety, living with or at risk of conditions such as cardiovascular disease or Type 2 diabetes, feeling socially isolated, or simply looking to take a proactive, supportive approach to your health.
Classes are welcoming, inclusive, and suitable for all levels — no previous yoga experience is needed.
Offering Yoga4Health across Co. Wexford.
Health Professionals
Yoga4Health is an evidence-based programme commissioned by the NHS (West London Clinical Commissioning Group) in 2016 and developed by leading yoga teachers, yoga therapists, doctors and medical researchers. The programme was piloted with NHS staff and later delivered to 279 patients across 22 courses in West London.
An independent mixed-method evaluation conducted by the University of Westminster assessed the feasibility, acceptability and health outcomes of the programme. The research demonstrated statistically significant improvements in participants’ health and wellbeing, which were sustained at a three-month follow-up.
Key outcomes included:
Increased Patient Activation (greater confidence and ability to self-manage health)
Significant reductions in stress, anxiety and depression
Improvements in physical health and waist circumference
Increased social connection and wellbeing
Positive lifestyle changes including improved sleep, stress management and overall health
The evaluation also identified a return on investment of £2.19 for every £1 invested, alongside reduced use of GP services and other healthcare resources. Many participants continued yoga practice after the programme, either through home practice or community classes.
The Research Evidence
Yoga4Health is an evidence-based yoga programme developed to support the prevention and management of long-term health conditions. It is delivered as a structured 10-week course designed to improve wellbeing and support sustainable lifestyle change.
The programme integrates gentle yoga practices including movement (either chair-based or mat-based), breath practices, relaxation and facilitated shared learning. This approach supports participants to develop greater awareness, self-management skills and confidence in caring for their health and wellbeing.
Yoga4health, What is it?
The programme aligns with social prescribing pathways and can be offered in community or healthcare settings as a complementary support for individuals
At risk of cardiovascular disease
Pre-diabetic (Type-2 diabetes)
Experiencing stress and/or mild-moderate anxiety/depression
Socially isolated
Those wishing to feel well, healthy and support
Who is it for?
Social Prescribing recognises that health is heavily determined by social factors such as poverty, isolation and loneliness.
Social prescribing offers GPs and other health professionals a means of referring people to a range of non-clinical community supports which can have significant benefits for their overall health and wellbeing.
Social prescribing works holistically, using the many assets and supports already available within communities.
What is Social Prescribing
This video offers an introduction to the growing body of research supporting yoga in healthcare, shared by Sat Bir Singh Khalsa with the Yoga in Healthcare Alliance