A yoga group in Sheffield which holds classes for people who live with chronic fatigue is celebrating 25 years.

The group began in 2001 in Millhouses when its founders realised they were unable to take part in traditional yoga classes.

Sheffield Yoga for ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis aka Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) holds bespoke online and in-person classes every week for anyone to join.

One symptom of ME is orthostatic intolerance, which means that sufferers are unable to stand for long periods of time meaning that even gentle or beginner yoga classes aren’t suitable.

Sheffield Yoga for ME (SYfME) therefore focuses on movements that can be completed whilst lying down- or even from bed.

Carol, 69, who helped found the group and also suffers with ME said: “Sometimes it is the only time people get social interaction, we are a community group as well as a yoga group.”

Sufferers often describe feeling that their condition is not taken seriously so these classes are invaluable in building solidarity.

Carol said: “Some people have no one, doctors and their family don’t believe them and they are completely isolated.”

ME affects 400,00 people in the UK and 75% are women.

These adapted classes help participants by reducing muscle pain and increasing flexibility, with the group reporting that 94% of their participants felt that the classes improved their symptoms and 97% felt that their classes reduced their social isolation.

One participant said: “The consistent and accumulative impact of the Yoga for ME sessions over time has been life-changing and life-saving, as in addition to having ME/CFS I am recovering from the trauma of critical surgery, being both widowed and suffering other bereavement.”

During the pandemic the group started to hold online classes which have continued since, as the condition means ‘some people are too ill to travel, but this way it means they are still able to join in.’

“It has been wonderful to be able to join in an online class from home and makes me feel much less isolated,” said one class member.

Find out more here.