Get Out Get Active offers Women’s Only Yoga sessions in Tayside
Wednesday 8 March is International Women’s Day. Get Out Get Active (GOGA) believes every woman deserves the right to take part in the way they wish to. But research shows us that many disabled and non-disabled women are missing out on the lifelong benefits of sport and physical activity. Today we show on how our partners in Scotland, Tayside, are providing opportunities for women to take part in physical activity sessions that improve their health and confidence.
After a community engagement session in Dundee in 2022, GOGA Tayside and Leisure & Culture Dundee spotted a gap in physical activity opportunities that targeted women in the local area.
The GOGA team decided to speak with women in the community who mentioned they avoided “traditional” or “mainstream” physical activities for cultural and religious reasons.
From these conversations, the team created a physical activity programme that could be easily accessed by women in Tayside that would help them with their health and wellbeing.
The swimming sessions ran every Friday in September 2022 at a Dundee venue that is not visible to the general public. They are also easily accessible by car and public transport, and led by a female instructor. This helps participants feel more relaxed as they take part in gentle sessions that improve mobility.
As attendees began to grow in confidence, they were also keen to take part in swimming lessons. Many of them had never learnt to swim, and felt it was important to do so.
Working alongside Live Active in Perth and Kinross, the GOGA team began to offer blocks of lessons to participants in a safe and secure environment. These lessons were again led by a female instructor to make attendees feel more comfortable.
Both the yoga and swimming sessions have proved hugely popular in the local community, and we’ve received some very positive feedback too! Participants have not only been able to improve their physical health, but also meet new people and make friends.
Iona McKay, GOGA Tayside Programme Manager.
The Women’s Only Yoga sessions are still running today, and are attended by a wide range of participants. There are also new plans to expand the programme across Tayside in collaboration with local leisure providers.
This story is part of our campaign, #TheGOGAWay. Showing how the GOGA approach can help organisations do things differently across the UK.
About Get Out Get Active
Get Out Get Active (GOGA) is a programme that supports disabled and non-disabled people to enjoy being active together. Activity Alliance is the creator and lead partner. The programme is funded by Spirit of 2012, Sport England and London Marathon Foundation.
Find out more about Get Out Get Active here.