At Above & Beyond Yoga, we are proud to offer the Yoga4Health 10-week programme Social Prescribing Programme for Health & Wellbeing. This is an evidence-based, clinically informed yoga programme designed to support physical and mental wellbeing through a structured, accessible and supportive approach.

This is more than a yoga class. It is a social prescribing programme developed to support people in making sustainable lifestyle changes that can improve health, wellbeing, confidence and connection.

What is Yoga4Health?

Yoga4Health is a 10-week social prescribing prevention programme created to support people who may benefit from a gentle, structured, therapeutic approach to movement, breathing, relaxation and self-care.

The programme was originally commissioned by the NHS and developed by yoga teachers, yoga therapists, doctors and medical researchers. It is now delivered by trained Yoga4Health teachers across the UK as a supportive health and wellbeing intervention.

Yoga4Health is designed to help participants build their own individualised “yoga toolkit” through weekly guided practice and supported home practice.

An Accredited Programme

Yoga4Health training is accredited by the Personalised Care Institute (PCI). The PCI was established by the Royal College of GPs and NHS England/NHS Improvement to accredit high-quality training in personalised care.

This accreditation adds real value to both the qualification and the programme because it shows that:

the training meets recognised healthcare standards
the programme sits within a personalised care approach
Yoga4Health is seen as a credible and appropriate social prescribing intervention

This helps reassure participants, healthcare professionals and referral partners that Yoga4Health is a structured, well-governed and professionally delivered programme.

Why This Programme Matters

Yoga4Health is part of a growing movement to integrate yoga into healthcare as a preventative and early intervention approach.

The programme is supported as a social prescribing option because it can help people improve their wellbeing before health concerns become more significant. It supports participants to develop practical tools they can use in daily life, rather than relying only on short-term solutions.

It is especially relevant for people who may be:

pre Type 2 diabetic
living with hypertension or at risk of cardiovascular disease
experiencing stress, anxiety or low mood
experiencing social isolation

Evidence-Based and Evaluated

Yoga4Health is an evidence-based standardised protocol. It was evaluated by the University of Westminster after being delivered to patients in West London. The published findings showed meaningful improvements in a number of areas, including:

increased patient activation and confidence in self-care
reduced stress
reduced depression and anxiety
improved social connectedness
improved sense of wellbeing, including life satisfaction, purpose and happiness
meaningful improvements in physical health

The information sheet for GPs and link workers notes that 62% of patients showed significant improvement in Patient Activation Measure (PAM) and that physical health outcomes included an average reduction in waist circumference of 14cm.

This evidence is one of the reasons the programme continues to be recognised as a valuable intervention within social prescribing and personalised care.

Who is the Programme For?

Yoga4Health is suitable for adults who meet one of the referral criteria and would benefit from a supportive, gentle, structured programme.

This may include people who are:

at risk of a cardiovascular event
pre-diabetic / at risk of Type 2 diabetes
experiencing stress and/or mild to moderate anxiety or depression
socially isolated

If you are unsure whether the programme is suitable for you, we can discuss this with you before the course begins.

What Happens Over the 10 Weeks?

The programme runs for 10 weeks, with each session building gradually on the one before it.

Sessions include a combination of:

gentle physical yoga practice
breath awareness and breathing techniques
guided relaxation
psycho-education around health and wellbeing
time for reflection and group discussion.

The weekly themes develop progressively and may include areas such as:

body and breath awareness
grounding
calming the nervous system
creating space in body and mind
awareness of bodily sensations
balance and resilience
change and connection

The programme is designed to help participants not only feel the benefit during class, but also develop practices they can use at home and in everyday life.

Chair-Based or Mat-Based Options

Yoga4Health is designed to be accessible and adaptable.

Practices can be taught:

sitting on a chair
using a mat
with modifications to support individual need

This means the programme can be suitable for people who are new to yoga, less mobile, returning to movement, or simply feel more confident using a chair.

The aim is not to achieve perfect postures. The aim is to support health, awareness, confidence, safety and self-care.

Home Practice and Ongoing Support

Participants are provided with a manual that outlines the programme and supports understanding of the weekly practice.

Throughout the programme, participants are encouraged to:

reflect on their experience week by week
practise at home between sessions
use the online Yoga4Health resources provided for home practice and therafter.

This home practice element is an important part of the programme, helping participants build confidence and continue benefiting from what they learn in class.

Evaluation and Feedback

As part of signing up to the programme, participants are asked to complete evaluation and feedback forms.

This helps to:

review the effectiveness of the programme
support ongoing research and development
strengthen the evidence base for yoga within healthcare
support the Yoga in Healthcare Alliance with continued quality assurance and programme development

This is an important part of helping healthcare professionals continue to recognise yoga as a meaningful intervention for prevention, self-care and wellbeing.

Working with GP Practices and Link Workers in Renfrewshire

We engage with local GP surgeries and Social Prescribing Link Workers across Renfrewshire so that people who meet the criteria can be signposted or referred to the programme.

The active signposting guidance recommends that GP practices and healthcare settings promote upcoming courses directly to eligible patients, including through text message signposting and website information, helping the programme reach the people who are most likely to benefit.

This partnership approach helps Yoga4Health remain rooted in community, prevention and personalised care.

Voluntary Donation Basis

This programme is offered on a voluntary donation only basis.

Suggested donations are:

£10 per session for those who can afford it
£5 per session for those on lower incomes
£2–£3 per session for those on very low incomes or benefits

This donation model supports accessibility and aligns with the social prescribing ethos of the programme.

Any funds received will be used to support a pay it forward model, helping to fund future courses and widen access for others in our community.

How to Refer / Book

If your GP practice, healthcare professional or Social Prescribing Link Worker has suggested Yoga4Health, please get in touch directly to register your interest.You do not need a formal referral to enquire about the programme.

You can contact us by:

Lesley will get in touch, talk through the programme, check suitability, and let you know the next available start date.

Before the course starts

Before joining the programme, participants will be asked to:

complete a short intake / suitability process
read the course information
agree to complete registartion, evaluation and feedback forms, sign and agree to data sharing with Yoga in Healthcare Alliance
commit, as far as possible, to attending the 10-week programme and engaging in some home practice between sessions

A Gentle, Supportive Approach to Better Health

Yoga4Health offers a compassionate and practical way to support health and wellbeing. It helps people reconnect with their breath, body, confidence and community in a safe and accessible setting.

If you feel this programme may be right for you, or for someone you support, we would be delighted to hear from you.