Tell us a bit about yourself…
In 2016 the founder of the Yoga In Healthcare Alliance, Heather Mason, invited me to join her in a new venture; to integrate the benefits of evidence-based yoga into healthcare. Since then I have made this mission my life’s work. YIHA has trained over 500 yoga teachers to deliver a Yoga4Health 10-week lifestyle medicine course for NHS patients, and (as of 2023) our new Yoga4NHS staff wellbeing programme. Both programmes are accredited by bodies recognised by the NHS (Personalised Care Institute for Yoga4Health, and Royal College of GPs for Yoga4NHS)
What does a typical day look like for you?
Me and my wife, Laura, have an 8 year old adopted daughter. I do the school runs so morning are all about getting our daughter ready for school, and running around after her from anytime after 3pm when it is swimming, ballet, tap dancing, musical theatre, or choir. In between I work three full days equivalent running and coordinating the work of the Yoga In Healthcare Alliance charity. On Wednesday evenings, I deliver Yoga4NHS classes to staff over Zoom, and on Friday mornings I teach a local Yoga4Health class to patients in Ely, Cambridgeshire, where I live.
How did your yoga journey begin and what inspired you to become a yoga teacher?
In 1995 I attended the Yoga for Health Foundation annual summer yoga festival and realised the power of yoga. At the time, the Yoga for Health Foundation was the only residential yoga centre specialising in therapeutic yoga for people with ME, cancer, arthritis, and MS. I named the Yoga4Health patient programme in tribute to the work of Howard Kent and others.
What inspired you to specialize in your practice?
I believe passionately in the power of evidence-based yoga to bring transformational changes to people’s health and wellbeing because it works on so many levels. I am lucky to work alongside people like Heather Mason and Sat Bir Singh Khalsa, the world’s leading yoga researcher. We have a fantastic board of Trustees at YIHA also. Although evidence-based, the yoga we teach honours and flows from the yoga tradition, of which I am a devoted student.
How have you seen yoga benefit your students?
Yoga4Health programmes for NHS patients have led to many life-changing realisations and empowering moments of insight about how we can all take control of our health with this ancient and powerful practice. Patients and staff testimonials are both humbling and inspirational.
What is your favorite quote or life motto?
Do it now.
What’s coming up for you in 2024?
Yoga4NHS staff wellbeing is going big! Grow the opportunities for YIHA teachers to deliver patient and staff programmes. Enjoy family life, and get my golf handicap below 10!
Find out more about Paul:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulfoxyoga/
Website: https://www.yogainhealthcarealliance.com/
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