Real stories

Using yoga and meditation to help people with dementia

Yoga and meditation always fascinated me. I used to work in marketing, then around seven years ago, I signed up for a yoga and meditation teacher training course. 

The minute I started to teach I thought, ‘This feels wonderful.’ I discovered a genuine love for it. 

I now run yoga, meditation and mindfulness classes full-time and in recent years, I have worked with a number of older people, some with conditions including dementia and Parkinson’s. 
 

Inspired by my Dad

My father had a stroke around 10 years ago and was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease around five years ago. 

He has always been an amazing guy, funny and mischievous, generous and caring. 

He’s a husband, father of three and a grandfather. He ran a business with his brothers with great integrity. 

Over the last 10 years I’ve watched my lovely dad, who I’d grown up watching football and playing tennis with, just becoming less capable. 

Mum cares for him round the clock. We’ve lost him bit by bit. 

This has given me a close understanding of the challenges facing people with dementia, and their carers and families. 

Mind-body therapies

One of the meditations I regularly teach (Kirtan Kriya) is believed to improve memory, reduce anxiety and improve mood and sleep. 

There are hundreds of different meditation and yoga exercises to choose from. They don’t require participants to be particularly flexible or physically fit – there really is something for everyone. 

I teach people of all ages and stages of life.

It was by accident that I started working with people struggling with memory, anxiety, other aspects of illness and aging, and conditions like Parkinson’s and dementia. 

From my experience, meditation and yoga play a valuable role in supporting physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. 

Helping people with dementia

I am now exploring how I can support people with dementia with tailored sessions, video classes and written instructions. 

One client was diagnosed with dementia around eight months ago and said he’d wake up every morning with a feeling of dread. After coming to meditation sessions, he’s now able to tackle those feelings before getting up every morning. 

When I hear how meditation has helped people, I find it so gratifying.

The benefits of moving our bodies

As a teacher I know the benefits of yoga and meditation, and wonder why people don’t do it all the time! But of course, we tend to forget the things that really help us, such as breathing properly and moving our bodies. 

However, these methods are free and once you’ve learned them, you can’t unlearn them. 

I hope to spread awareness and increase participation for people affected by dementia.