Fibromyalgia Support Group for Surrey and Sussex

Yoga Bear

Some yoga or some exercise
Makes Teddy feel elated
If he does this every day
His ills might be abated.

Yoga Classes

Pictures and report supplied courtesy of the West Sussex County Times

A WEEKLY yoga class set up in Horsham has been welcomed as a ‘huge benefit’ for people suffering from a range of chronic and debilitating conditions.

The classes were organised for sufferers of fibromyalgia, ME (myalgic encephalomyelitis) and CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome) following last year’s ‘fibromyalgia taster day’, where there was the opportunity to try out a variety of therapies and treatments.

Jo Fisher, co-ordinator of the Fibromyalgia Support Group of Surrey and Sussex (FSGSS), explained that ‘a lot of interest’ was shown in the classes run by Kathryn Varley.

Participants have been learning how it may be possible to control their painful symptoms with a combination of relaxation, correct breathing and yoga poses.

The group meets every Friday morning from 10.15am to 11.15am at the Unitarian Church in Worthing Road, where Kathryn puts the members through their paces.
To see more pictures visit the West Sussex County Times web site then enter the number C52602 in the search box. You can view the pictures as a slideshow - and you can order prints.

Members of FSGSS celebrated its second anniversary last week.
In just two years, the group has signed up 200 sufferers of the musculoskeletal pain and fatigue disorder, for which there is no known cure.
At a celebration meeting held in Worthing, attended by the town’s mayor and mayoress, treasurer Norman Lawrence, looked back on the group’s achievements and commended Mrs Fisher for her work in co-ordinating the activities.

For further information or to join the Fibromyalgia Support Group of Surrey and Sussex, telephone Jo Fisher on 01403 255450 or e-mail her.

Steve Payne
(Associate Editor West Sussex County Times)

What Members Say about the Yoga Classes

Stella writes:

This is not strictly a PAST EVENT as its an on-going class! I have been attending since they began in January 2005, with a few weeks break for unavoidable reasons. The day the above photos were taken I was not there! Fibromyalgia restricts one's mobility but Yoga helps you to 'switch off' from reality and focus inside oneself - the inner being. Although yoga involves physical exercise it also includes deep breathing, relaxation and meditation. It certainly makes you use muscles that you might not otherwise want to use - because it hurts! However, the gentle and slow movements improve one's flexibility and pain tends to decrease. Going to classes is a chore but being there is a joy. When I do go I find it very beneficial and quite invigorating. The most important thing is to carry the experience with you and use it all the time during everyday living.

Pat writes:

I joined the weekly yoga group back in January. I was not quite sure what to expect or how it would affect my Fibromyalgia but I have not missed a single session so far. It is a really friendly group and the yoga is very gentle. If you feel that you cannot manage certain poses, Kathryn, the yoga teacher, will always find an alternative for you. After the class I find that I have more energy but feel relaxed at the same time. We have a few laughs and share any relevant information on ways to help cope with FM. Kathryn appreciates our problems and is always happy to listen to our feedback on the classes and help in any way she can.

Do come along and give it a try.

Clare writes:

I really look forward to the yoga class on a Friday morning. It is nice to meet with other FM sufferers and our teacher understands a lot about Fibromyalgia & how we can benefit from yoga. The stretching & breathing exercises really help with the pain & stiffness in my muscles & I feel very relaxed & revitalised after each yoga session.

Carole writes:

Yoga has helped me with the pain as it has taught me the correct way of breathing which helps release the toxins in the body. Also Kathryn makes the class entertaining as well as beneficial and many of the ladies go for a drink after so it’s a social occasion too."

Val writes:

I have been very pleased to find the small yoga group taken by Kathryn Varley at the Unitarian Church. I found it through the local Advertiser newspaper. Gentle exercise seems to be just what I need - some sitting, some lying and not too much standing. One feels that as ME has been somewhat neglected, this is something from which we may all benefit.

Janice writes:

The fibromyalgia yoga class for me has been a Godsend. In the world of fibromyalgia, where in many, many cases there is little help or even recognition, the yoga class is a place of acceptance of this ‘dis-ease’.
Fibromyalgia is a disease that inwardly can make you feel you are going mad with unexplained continual pain and other symptoms. The class brings together ‘fibro-mites’ and we therefore know that we are not alone. We can talk about how we feel without anyone making the judgement that, ‘it’s in our head.’ There are people from all walks of life with Fibromyalgia, some being extremely intelligent.
The class helps us to relax and breathe better, and to learn about what our bodies are still capable of doing.
There are many unexplained illnesses, the human body is very complex, and just because tests come back negative it is very naïve to tell someone there is nothing wrong, especially when that person’s life is being dramatically affected due to various symptoms.
So yes, the class is a Godsend. Kathryn is very aware and in time with our pain and always has different ways of adapting a pose. In a world of feeling alone and vulnerable with the disease, we have our Fibromyalgia Yoga Family every Friday. It would be great to have another class!

The Horsham Yoga Class ceased in April 2007. It has been replaced by a Tensho Chi Class.

For details of other groups please go to the Classes Page and see where other classes are taking place.

For an article that explains the background and practice of Yoga, click here.