VIEW, Issue three, 2012


Website: viewdigital.org


Page 16


Healing through yoga


Yoga teacher Heather Portig (bottom left) with a group of brain injury victims at the Headway centre in east Belfast S


providing support and information to brain injury victims, their families and carers, the classes pro- vides a relaxing atmosphere in a safe envirioment. VIEW recently paid a visit to the charity’s of- fices on the Castlereagh Road in east Belfast to see one of the yoga classes in action.


urvivors of brain injury in Northern Ireland have found yoga classes to be an essential part of their recovery programme. Organised by Headway, a charity dedicated to


Headway’s Project and Communications Offi- cer Lisa Bell said: “The yoga classes really relaxes those attending as a lot of them would be quite stressed. We get a range of brain injuries at the centre, including those suffering from strokes and heart attacks, car accident victims and people who have been assaulted. Yoga teacher Heather Portig, along with a phys-


iotherapist, has designed an exercise programme to suit those taking part. Ms Portig said:“Yoga


helps to increase mobility. It reintroduces move- ment and helps build muscular strength. “On a more important level, it increases their self-esteem and self-confidence. Yoga helps to en- courage a belief in brain injury survivors that they can physically improve.” • Headway provides a range of services for those suffering from brain injuries. Visit the charity’s website at www.headwayni.org; 028 90 705 125.


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