Mental Health Awareness Week: 11 - 17 May 2026

Mental Health Awareness Week in the UK (11-17 May), Mental Health Awareness Month in the US - If you suffer from stress and anxiety or if you know someone who does, the month of May is the right time to take action by practising yoga, a recommended practise for mental health issues. Just register below.

Live Yoga Teachers is offering an a free yoga and breathwork class for people suffering from Mental Health issues on Friday 15th of May at 12pm BST (1pm CET).

''Through the practice of Yoga we can begin to slow down, soften and release. Reducing pressure, stress and anxiety and gently come back to ourselves.'' Laura Waddoups, Yoga for Mental Health expert.

Laura will be leading a slow flow yoga and breathwork class, suitable for anyone who would like to try yoga for its benefits on Mental Health.

Details:

• Equipement: yoga mat, or a towel/blanket (or just the floor). A cushion to sit on. Comfortable clothes
• Duration: 30 minutes
• Level: Beginners
• Maximum capacity: 100 people

Just register below and we'll send you a voucher to book for free the day before the event*. 

Why is yoga often recommended for Mental Health?

Yoga has an impact on the nervous system, which other sports don't have. Everyone feels better after working out, as endorphines are being released, but yoga has deeper long lasting effects. Each yoga pose affects your body differently, and every type of practice offers its own benefits.

Workout is often a repetition of the same movement, at various speed and intensity. But yoga is a combination of many different movements. With yoga you could be:

• Sitting, lying down, standing, inverting
• Stretching, pressing, opening, balancing
• Moving, being still, breathing, meditating
• Grounding, releasing, relaxing, surrendering

These different practises and poses have different effect on the body, which you can't find in other sports. Some ball games can be involving different parts of the body, but the “competition” spirit in these kind of sports will exacerbate your ego and won’t help relax and let go.

To find out about recommended yoga types and yoga poses for specific mental health benefits, you can refer to our article about Yoga for Mental Health.

 * (only available to new users)