Live Seated Yoga Classes for Seniors and Disabled
Author: Adaptive Yoga Network
Published: 2020/04/27 - Updated: 2026/03/12
Publication Type: Announcement
Category Topic: Yoga - Related Publications
Contents: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates
Synopsis: This information covers the launch of free live seated yoga classes created specifically for seniors, disabled people, and anyone with physical limitations during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown period. Published by the Adaptive Yoga Network - a non-profit organization co-founded by Miranda McCarthy of Wavelength VR and Louise Edwards - the classes are taught by expert volunteer yoga instructors with over 500 hours of training each. The program offers three weekly virtual sessions streamed live and at no cost, making adaptive yoga accessible to vulnerable and physically challenged individuals in self-isolation who may otherwise have no nearby classes available. This is a practical resource for people with disabilities, injuries, and mobility limitations, as well as elderly individuals, who are seeking guided chair-based yoga instruction to reduce stress and improve physical and mental wellbeing from home - Disabled World (DW).
- Definition: Adaptive Seated Yoga
Adaptive seated yoga is a modified form of yoga designed to make the practice accessible to people with disabilities, injuries, limited mobility, or age-related physical limitations by performing postures while sitting in a chair rather than standing or using a floor mat. It integrates physical postures (asana), controlled breathing techniques (pranayama), and meditation to connect mind, body, and spirit, and may also incorporate props such as cushions, belts, and books to support safe movement. Adaptive seated yoga is widely used by seniors, wheelchair users, and individuals recovering from injury as a low-impact method of reducing stress, improving flexibility, and building confidence in physical movement.
Introduction
Live Seated Yoga Classes for Seniors and Disabled
The founders of Wavelength VR, Miranda McCarthy, and the founder of Adaptive Yoga Network, Louise Edwards, have come together to launch free online classes aimed at the most vulnerable in self-isolation, a live 'Seated Yoga Class' on the Adaptive Yoga LIVE website, from Monday 27th April 2020. There will be 3 weekly virtual classes, which are suitable for all ages and limitations, or anybody sitting at home.
Main Content
Miranda and Louise met just over a year ago when there was only one adaptive yoga class running in the UK.
"We both have experienced the enormous benefit the practice of adaptive yoga has given us. Our limitations have bonded us as a group, we have learned how to teach the brain not to fear movement, and we've learned that deep breathing and meditation switches the nervous system from an alert state to a calm state. It has been life changing." commented Miranda McCarthy, CEO of Wavelength VR.
Founder of the Non-For Profit Organisation, Adaptive Yoga Network, Louise Edwards has joined Miranda in response to the urgent need to support the more vulnerable and physically challenged people in this current period of lockdown during Covid-19.
"An adaptive yoga class within 10 miles of every disabled person seemed like a dream for Adaptive Yoga Network - until now with the live streaming bringing a class right into the room."
The classes will be streamed live and for FREE every Monday, Wednesday and Sunday at 3.00pm (GMT). Users can register on the Adaptive Yoga LIVE website. The classes will be taught by Karen Russell and Paulo Concepcion, expert yoga teachers, both volunteers with more than 500 hours of yoga teacher training. The whole program has been created as a direct response to the COVID-19 pandemic and will run for six weeks.
If these classes are successful, and there is demand, they can continue but they will need support to make this happen. We are launching a crowdfunding campaign to keep this free service running during lockdown. Donations can be made via our GoFundMe page. All donations will go to improving the service to help connect the disabled community in a shared experience to help reduce stress and improve wellbeing.
What is Adaptive Yoga?
Adaptive Yoga is designed to make yoga accessible to more people, especially those who have injuries, limitations, disabilities, or the elderly. This can include using a chair, wall, or yoga props.
It can also be described as a form of yoga that teaches integration of mind and body.
It is an art and science that connects the mind, body, and spirit through the practice of physical postures (asana), partnered with the breath (pranayama), and meditation practices.
What Do I Need for Seated Yoga?
- Chair
- Cushion
- Belt
- Tie
- Books
Insights, Analysis, and Developments
Editorial Note: What makes this initiative stand out is how directly it addresses a gap that existed long before the pandemic - the shortage of adaptive yoga classes accessible to disabled people, with Louise Edwards once calling a class within 10 miles of every disabled person a dream. By moving instruction online through free live-streamed sessions requiring only a chair, a cushion, a belt or tie, and some books, the program removes barriers of geography, cost, and physical access all at once. The classes teach participants breathing techniques that shift the nervous system from an alert state to a calm state, alongside gentle movement designed to retrain the brain not to fear motion, offering tangible benefits for people whose daily lives are shaped by chronic pain, limited mobility, or prolonged isolation - Disabled World (DW).Attribution/Source(s): This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by Adaptive Yoga Network and published on 2020/04/27, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.