Complementary Therapies - Not "Just Exercise": Opportunities and Challenges of Providing Yoga to NHS Patients and Healthcare Professionals

19 Jun 2025
The Gielgud

Yoga has become one of the most popular tools in complementary medicine worldwide; an analysis by the NCCIH revealed a dramatic increase in use of yoga as a complementary approach by American adults from 5% in 2002 to 15.8% in 2022. Yoga in Healthcare Alliance are passionate that yoga features in a conference on Integrative medicine in a way that reflects its widespread popularity and provides a full overview of this safe, effective, accessible, holistic practice.

Yoga is often described as "beneficial for mental health and wellbeing"; however, mental health and wellbeing is the result of a complex interplay of factors: what role can yoga play in whole-person health? Is there evidence to support its use? Why, and how, should the British public practice yoga to optimise the benefits?

In this presentation, Rupal Dave will explore:
-What is Yoga? (and what isn't?)
-The evidence as a healthcare tool
-Challenges, Risks and Limitations 
-Social Prescribing: yoga for NHS patients
-Practical considerations and recommendations for people experiencing mental distress 
-Adaptations & Considerations for neuro-divergent individuals
-Burnout: yoga for NHS staff
-A practical demonstration and shared practice

 

Speakers
Rupal Dave
Dr Rupal Dave, Consultant Psychiatrist, Charity Trustee, Yoga in Healthcare Alliance (UK Charity Number 1190806), UK
Heather Mason
Heather Mason, Founder, The Minded Institute, UK
Paul Fox
Paul Fox, Chief Executive Officer, Yoga In Healthcare Alliance, UK