The idea that yoga can be a powerful tool for healing and wellbeing is an exciting prospect, but it's important to consider who has access to this ancient practice. In the UK, the National Health Service (NHS) is increasingly prescribing yoga as a way to improve health and manage various conditions. However, my research suggests that some of the people who could benefit most from yoga face significant barriers to participation. This raises a deeper question: is the NHS ready to heal patients through yoga if it's not accessible to everyone?
Yoga is a mind-body practice with roots in ancient South Asia. It encompasses breathing exercises, philosophy, mindfulness, meditation, and movement. Research suggests that yoga can help manage physical and mental health issues, including chronic lower-back pain, stress, anxiety, depression, and fatigue among cancer survivors. However, the available evidence is variable, and the benefits are not universally experienced.
As a researcher and yoga teacher with a focus on inclusion, I've explored the access experiences of people from diverse backgrounds, including those on low incomes, disabled individuals, people with high body-mass indexes, and minority ethnic groups. My findings reveal a diversity gap in UK yoga, with practical, perceptual, and cultural barriers preventing many from participating.
One of the most significant barriers is the cost. Yoga classes can be expensive, and for those on low incomes, this can be a major obstacle. Additionally, the location and timing of classes can be inconvenient, and the expectation to purchase specific clothing or equipment can be off-putting. These practical barriers are often overlooked, and the assumption is that people can overcome them through luck, confidence, or persistence.
Perceptual barriers also play a role. Some people worry that yoga will be too physically demanding or not active enough. Others feel that yoga is 'uncool' or that it's only for slim, flexible, athletic individuals who are already confident in exercise spaces. These perceptions can be discouraging, especially when yoga's origins in South Asia are ignored or simplified.
Cultural barriers are another significant issue. Yoga spaces often overlook access barriers, and the assumption is that people can overcome them through luck, confidence, or persistence. This can be alienating for those from South Asian national or faith backgrounds, who may feel that yoga's origins are being ignored or used inappropriately. Representation also matters; not seeing anyone like themselves can be off-putting and discouraging.
The consequences of this diversity gap are far-reaching. People with marginalized identities already face poorer health outcomes and greater barriers to care. If yoga is being used as part of public health and wellbeing services, we need to ask who can realistically afford it, reach it, and feel welcome once they arrive. Yoga has the potential to support health, but it must be accessible to everyone who needs it.
In my opinion, the NHS should consider the diversity gap in yoga when prescribing the practice as a way to improve health. By addressing the barriers to participation, we can ensure that yoga is truly inclusive and accessible to all. This will not only improve health outcomes but also promote a sense of belonging and community for those who may feel excluded from other forms of exercise and wellbeing practices.
