Following a successful pilot of our chair yoga programme in 2023, we are grateful to Active Cumbria for their continued support through the Live Longer Better programme’s Reconditioning Fund to expand the programme to more communities across the county.

Aimed at older people to encourage getting active, creating connections and a sense of community, chair yoga sessions are also ideal for people with physical accessibility requirements as the seated postures pose a lower risk and are highly accessible.

In the Autumn we were excited to introduce Kemetic Yoga through a 10-week online course designed and expertly delivered by Rowan Carr from his yoga studio in Cockermouth.

The programme was made possible through a grant from the Liforme Racial Diversity in Yoga Fund with a view to furthering our aim to broaden perceptions of yoga and diversity in the yoga space.

With so much change and growth in the last 12 months, we are looking forward to consolidating and developing the organisation still further; continuing, developing and delivering yoga programmes to communities across Cumbria.

We will continue to actively fundraise through trusts, foundations and in the community to support health and wellbeing activities in Cumbria. Look out for opportunities and events near you in 2025 to support our work.

Through the continued support of Active Cumbria, our newly forged links with the Social Prescribing network across the county will ensure our programmes are available in the right place, at the right time for people across the county.

Championing best practice, we will continue our partnership with like-minded organisations across the country through the UK Yoga Community Outreach Network. We will also host events for local yoga leaders; delivering training and networking opportunities to our growing network.

A huge thank you and congratulations must go to the team of volunteer trustees without who’s valuable time the charity couldn’t, and wouldn’t, function. Thank you, Rob Fowler and Katie Phelps, for your unerring dedication and support – the organisation is grounded through your enthusiasm, experience, knowledge and tremendous hard work.

Thanks, too, go to Natasha Richardson who stepped down earlier this year. We appreciate all the support Natasha and the community at her studio, The Coach House in Appleby, have given over her time at Cumbria Yoga Foundation.

And finally, a very warm welcome to the newest members of the team, Anne Marie Bainbridge and Kathleen Houston, who joined the organisation as trustees in December and January respectively. We’re so excited to have their considerable skills and experience and their fresh perspective on board to help guide the organisation through its next steps.