More Than a Movement: How Adaptive Yoga is Restoring Dignity and Mobility in Tayside Care Homes

What happens when "I can’t" becomes "I can"? In this heart-to-heart feature, a local Well-being Officer shares the remarkable journey of S, a care home resident whose life has been transformed by our weekly community outreach sessions. From regaining the ability to lift her arms to reclaiming her confidence and sense of self, S’s story—and the experiences of her fellow residents—demonstrates the profound emotional and physical impact of accessible, compassionate yoga. Read on to discover how our instructor, Min, is helping residents find a new sense of purpose and a vital bridge back into the community.

“As the Well-being Officer at a local care home, I am always seeking meaningful and beneficial outlets that support our residents’ health, happiness, and overall quality of life. Thanks to Heart Space and our fantastic instructor, Min, and a group of our residents have been attending weekly sessions every Wednesday. These classes have become a truly valued part of their routine, offering both physical and emotional benefits.

We have seen positive changes across the group, but the progress for one resident in particular, S, has been remarkable. Although S remains cognitively well, her physical mobility has been limited and she attends sessions using a wheelchair. During her first week, she was extremely stiff and struggled to move her arms. Week by week, however, she has pushed herself further, encouraged and supported by Min’s compassionate and skilled approach. By our most recent visit, S was able to lift her arms up to her head—an incredible improvement.

What is especially noteworthy is that S often tells family or medical staff that she “can’t move her arms much,” yet with Min she consistently tries—and succeeds—at doing more. She has even begun wearing lipstick and putting extra effort into her appearance before attending class, because she feels better in herself and looks forward to participating. Her care staff here have all commented on how impressed and delighted they are with her progress.

While S's physical improvements have been the most dramatic, the emotional uplift among our other residents is also significant. Their mood, engagement, and enjoyment during and after the classes have been deeply meaningful to observe. During a recent outbreak, we were unable to attend for a period of time, and I noticed a clear deflation in two of our ladies—highlighting just how important the routine, the sense of purpose, and the opportunity to get out into the community truly are.

Min’s ability to adapt her sessions to a wide variety of physical and cognitive needs, her encouragement, and her consistently positive attitude make an enormous difference. We cannot thank her enough.

Min is simply the best.”