Together in Grief (TiG) yoga is for anyone who has lost a loved one. It offers some calm exercise and the chance to be with others who share your experience.
The gentle, therapeutic sessions are suitable for all abilities. And FREE. They take place at Keldmarsh Primary School in Beverley every Saturday morning. Come along whenever you want or need to – every week or just occasionally.
Read on to find out more: what happens at a typical session, how you might benefit, and when and where to join in.
TiG yoga is for adults - men and women - who have been bereaved and who feel that they would benefit from an opportunity to exercise and talk with others who are also grieving. It does not matter how long ago you experienced your bereavement – we very much understand that the pain of grief is ongoing.
TiG yoga sessions are delivered by a qualified yoga teacher and supported by trained volunteers. They will welcome you and make sure you feel comfortable in the group.
The sessions are tailored to your ability, so there is no need to have done any yoga before nor worry about levels of fitness or flexibility. The teacher will guide you through the practice and make sure that you can participate in a way that is right for you.
We understand how valuable it can be to talk with others who may share similar experiences. With that in mind, every session ends with a cuppa and a chat.
The teachers and volunteers are not trained counsellors but facilitate the sessions so that participants can be active and talk to each other and the leaders as much or as little as they like. They can provide information about other means of grief support through other organisations.
We know that being active can support mental health, and can be a particular help at times of bereavement. Yoga can ease you into being more active, and relieve stress and anxiety by calming the mind. Many bereaved people also find support in being with others in a similar position – knowing that you are not the only one experiencing particular thoughts and feelings can be an incredible help. The aim of TiG is to provide safe and nurturing sessions for participants to experience the benefits of being active alongside other people in a similar position. We hope that, over time, friendships will be formed and that it will be a positive, healing experience for both body and mind.
Our TiG programmes have been supporting people for some time now. The feedback confirms that the yoga sessions are helping participants at a very difficult time. For example, Sally came along to TiG yoga after her dad died suddenly:
“Listening to others' stories and taking part in some gentle yoga felt really comforting […]. I was starting to really benefit from the restorative/meditative aspects it could provide whilst in the midst of my ongoing grief. Gradually, I started to enjoy the breathing and flow of yoga that was initially so gently and kindly provided by Katie during the TiG sessions. […] they provided me with some much needed space during grief, whilst also encouraging us to share stories of our loved ones.” Sally
Our TiG yoga sessions take place every Saturday at 09.30am in Beverley at Keldmarsh Primary School, Woodmansey Mile, Beverley HU17 8FF.
TiG yoga sessions are free to participants. Thanks to funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, we are able to offer the sessions at no cost to you.
Just turn up! Come along whenever you feel some yoga with company might help – no need to come every week (although you would be very welcome!).
If you have questions about the programme or are anxious about attending, please email Heather (heather@fitmums.org.uk) who will be happy to help.