Teaching on the Long Covid Iyengar Medical Study

For 10 weeks last year I was a Teacher on The Iyengar Yoga (UK) Long Covid pilot medical study with York St John University. It proved to be a great success. 55 adults took part in an individualised programme, all suffering from Long Covid, and each student had a weekly session with two Iyengar Teachers. 

The programme revealed positive gains in aspects of both physical and mental health were found to be statistically significant. The students interviewed were profoundly moved by the care and attention. Some feedback included life-transforming effects for students who had been bed-ridden for significant amounts of time, feeling stronger, Improved mental and physical health, and improved ability to sleep. 

I’ve attached some suggested poses for various stages of long covid as illustrated by @svenjakarstens. The student I worked with initially could only manage a few gentle poses on week 1, and we slowly built up her practice. The teachings were bespoke to the individual. We worked carefully together to try not to exhaust the student, yet find a way to open and restore her body and mind and help her on her healing journey.

For more information on the study visit the IY(UK) website. 

Illustration on pink by moi.
sequences illustrated by