Yoga in
Healthcare Centres

A health-focused yoga approach that promotes community health

Why Yoga in healthcare centres

Health centres play a vital role in community healthcare, combining prevention, primary care and comprehensive support for people living with chronic health conditions or psychosocial challenges.

They provide a local setting for integrating activities aimed at promoting health and preventing chronic diseases, with a focus on empowerment, well-being and quality of life.

Yoga Santé works with the Fédération des Maisons Médicales francophones and WGC to introduce yoga as a practice that supports people’s health.

Adopting the YeS protocol

In community health centres, we adapt the YeS-Yoga and Care protocol (10 sessions of 2 hours per week) into a year-long course consisting of one hour per week. Our sessions are designed to be accessible and progressive, tailored to people living with various physical and/or psychological health issues, from all cultural and religious backgrounds and financial circumstances.

Each session is practised on a chair and on a mat, and includes gentle movements, breathing exercises and moments of relaxation, all of which foster concentration and mind-body awareness. A caring and non-judgemental approach helps everyone to understand and make the most of the tools provided.

The aim is not physical performance, but rather the appreciation of individual experiences, the development of increasingly easier breathing, and the reduction of stress, taking into account the specific needs of each participant.

Target audiences

The initiatives in community health centres are aimed at a diverse range of people, who often face stress, social isolation, or chronic health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure or cardiovascular risks.

The inclusive setting enables people of all ages and backgrounds to participate in a safe, accessible and respectful environment.

Collaboration with healthcare teams

Our classes at community health centres are aimed at a diverse range of people, many of whom are dealing with stress, social isolation, or chronic health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular risks, anxiety and depression.

The inclusive setting allows people of all ages and backgrounds to exercise in a safe, accessible and respectful environment.

Results

Feedback from participants highlights the positive effects on general well-being, stress management and body awareness.

Beyond the individual benefits, regular practice creates opportunities for interaction and peer support, strengthening the sense of connection among participants.

Qualitative findings

  • Improved overall well-being among participants
  • Better management of stress and anxiety in daily life
  • Improved sleep quality
  • Pain relief
  • A greater sense of security and confidence
  • Reduced feelings of isolation

(Statistical data from activity monitoring will be included shortly, in conjunction with the annual report).

Participants' voices

Beyond the sessions themselves, these classes are, above all, spaces for lived experience.
Here are a few words from participants about what this practice brings to their daily lives.

“Yoga classes have really helped me cope with my anxiety and depression.

They help me find inner peace through breathing exercises and sharing with the group and the teacher.”

Marie,
Class participant at the community health centre

“It’s my only social activity of the week. It’s given me the motivation to get up in the morning.

I’ve got more energy and, little by little, I’ve stepped out of my comfort zone and taken up new activities.”

Fatima,
Class participant at the community health centre

“Our teacher is friendly, gentle, attentive and responsive to our needs.

She teaches us to work at our own pace and get the most out of the session. We feel supported.”

Zahira
Class participant at the community health centre

In practice

Collaborations with community health centres involve a range of activities:

  • yoga classes tailored to participants and, on request, for staff at the community health centre;
  • information sessions on the health benefits of yoga;
  • monitoring and evaluation of the yoga classes.

Process

  1. The medical centre team identifies the participants for the classes.
  2. Yoga Santé coordinates the classes, sends an instructor trained in the YeS protocol, and ensures the monitoring and evaluation of the classes.
  3. The sessions are then delivered, with ongoing monitoring and adjustments made according to the group’s needs.

To healthcares' providers

In addition, sessions may be provided to staff at medical centres, subject to their availability, to promote well-being at work and a better understanding of the proposed practice.

Action Plan & Partners

The Yoga Santé action plan aims to gradually expand the presence of yoga within community health centres, in collaboration with the Federation of Community Health Centres in Brussels, the Vereniging van Wijkgezondheidscentra and other partner organisations.

Affiliated healthcare facilities

The courses are currently being run in partnership with several community health centres in Belgium, which incorporate yoga as a complementary approach to community healthcare:

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