Classes are held at the NSC by instructor Elizabeth Corran, who has been taking the MS classes for over 10 years now. The NSC classes are held on Mondays in the Secondary hall from 11am to noon and in the main hall on Wednesdays from 10am to 11am.
Participants also have a social gathering afterwards over a coffee in the NSC café.
Elizabeth outlined the following benefits “amongst the benefits of exercise for people with MS are:- Can improve your fitness levels, endurance and strength in arms and legs.
Improvement with mobility and can decrease overall fatigue. Exercise can also reduce the risk of Mental Health Conditions such as depression”.
“Yoga has the potential to lessen several physical symptoms of MS and may contribute to improved strength, flexibility, posture, balance, focus, circulation, digestion, elimination, and pelvic floor health and to decreased tension, fatigue, and spasticity.
My students practice yoga in chairs, as well as through standing work based on each individual patients’ abilities.
A big part of my classes includes mindfulness. Being mindful has a way of bringing you into the present, so for those with MS who don't know what they'll wake up to or what the next day or month might bring, mindfulness can reduce anxiety and pain during everyday life challenges.
In addition to making patients' bodies feel better, yoga provides empowerment, a means for self-care and hope. It's something positive you can do for yourself.
My classes also provide the power of connection. Anytime a new person attends class, we make that person feel at ‘home’ everyone is made to feel very welcome, it really does feel like one big happy family.”
For more information about Esther and her teachings please visit; www.estherjonesyoga.co.uk
The MS Society also provides MS yoga classes at the Methodist Chapel Hall in Union Mills by experienced yoga instructor, Esther Jones, held every Friday 11am to 12 noon.
Pilates - unfortunately we haven't been able to sourcea class adapted specifically for MS patients. However, MS patients can attend any of the similar classes provided by Lizzy Main who operates the Pilates Studio in Peel. Classes cost £6 per session and the MS Society can reimburse you for any classes that you attend. The link below shows the timetable & venue for the classes. https://www.pilates-isle-of-man.co.uk/timetable.html
Aquatherapy classes are held on a Saturday morning at 10.45pm at the aquatherapy pool, which is just off Glencrutchery Road, Douglas. The instructors are Christine Wright, Graihagh Betteridge and Allison Cowin. The water is slightly warmer than a normal pool and the buoyancy of the water reduces the stress on joints. Aquatherapy relaxes muscles and helps build strength and can reduce stiffness. Christine or Graihagh will need to do an aquatherapy assessment to establish your suitability to attend these classes. Please contact derekpatience@hotmail.com or on 480755 for more information
In addition to the above, various chair based exercise classes are held around the island both at the at various venues around the Island. At the NSC a significant number of classes are provided every week (chair based, spin, paracise, gym sessions, swimming etc). All classes are adapted for people with disabilities.
For anyone who receives Disability Living Allowance, all of these classes are available for only £8.50 a month. The timetable for the NSC disability exercises can be found here - https://msr.gov.im/sdu/disability-sports/adult-activities/inclusive-class-pass/
