Rethinking Workforce Wellbeing in the NHS Through the Ancient Practice of Yoga

Alison Lewis, Founder of Heart Mind Spirit, discusses how yoga therapy offers a practical, low-cost approach to reducing absenteeism and supporting both physical and mental health across the NHS.

The NHS is facing a period of sustained pressure, with workforce wellbeing now recognised as central to the delivery of safe, effective patient care. July 2025 policy paper, Fit for the Future: 10 Year Health Plan for England, places clear emphasis on staff retention, preventative health, and creating environments where healthcare professionals can thrive. Against this backdrop, there is a growing recognition that traditional approaches to workplace wellbeing may not be enough on their own.

Yoga and yoga therapy, alongside other non-traditional therapeutic practices, are increasingly being explored as practical, evidence-informed tools to support NHS staff. Whilst rooted in ancient practice, yoga has evolved into a modern, accessible intervention that can directly address some of the most pressing challenges facing the healthcare workforce today, including chronic stress, burnout, and musculoskeletal strain.

RESPONDING TO THE REALITIES OF HIGH-PRESSURE CLINICAL ENVIRONMENTS

Healthcare professionals operate in fast-paced, high-pressure clinical environments where the physical and emotional demands are constant. Long shifts, repetitive movements, and sustained periods on their feet contribute to common issues such as back pain, joint strain, and fatigue. At the same time, the cognitive and emotional load of patient care can lead to stress, reduced focus, and, ultimately, burnout.

Introducing structured team yoga sessions as part of the wellbeing offer for NHS and Social Care departments offers a practical way to respond to these challenges. These sessions can be delivered in accessible formats, including chair-based yoga, making them suitable for busy clinical environments and adaptable to a wide range of physical needs and abilities. Regular participation can support improved physical resilience, reduce musculoskeletal discomfort, and provide staff with simple, effective tools to manage stress during the working day.

SUPPORTING FOCUS AND DECISION-MAKING

Alongside physical benefits, yoga supports the regulation of the nervous system through practices such as breathwork. These techniques are particularly valuable in high-pressure environments where the ability to reset quickly between tasks can make a meaningful difference. By helping staff regulate their stress response, yoga can improve focus, support clearer decision-making, and enhance overall cognitive performance, all of which are critical in delivering safe, high-quality patient care.

There is also a wider cultural benefit to embedding group wellbeing practices within healthcare teams. Delivering yoga in a shared, team-based format can help foster psychological safety, strengthen communication, and build a sense of collective resilience. In environments where teamwork is essential, these outcomes are invaluable for the healthcare leaders responsible for ensuring high standards of care within their departments, whilst protecting the wellbeing of their staff.

PERSONALISED YOGA THERAPY

Running alongside group sessions, access to one-to-one yoga therapy offers a more personalised, clinically-informed approach. Yoga therapy adapts practices to the individual, supporting both physical and mental health needs through tailored interventions. This may include addressing chronic conditions such as back pain, mobility issues, or respiratory challenges, as well as supporting mental health concerns, including anxiety, burnout, and trauma.

Using simple, evidence-based techniques, such as breathwork, gentle movement, and guided relaxation, yoga therapy can help individuals develop sustainable strategies for self-regulation and recovery. Crucially, these are tools that can be integrated into daily routines, making them both practical and scalable within a demanding healthcare setting.

A PREVENTATIVE APPROACH TO WORKFORCE WELLBEING

Rather than responding to illness or burnout after it occurs, interventions like yoga and yoga therapy offer a proactive approach, supporting staff before issues escalate, which aligns closely with the NHS’s increasing focus on preventative health. In doing so, they contribute to reduced absenteeism, improved staff satisfaction, and stronger long-term retention.

The 2025 NHS Staff Survey highlighted growing levels of demoralisation and disengagement among healthcare workers. Addressing this is not only a moral imperative but an operational one. When staff feel supported in their health and wellbeing, there is a direct impact on performance, engagement, and the overall functioning of teams.

A PRACTICAL, LOW-COST ADDITION TO EXISTING STRATEGIES

Workplace yoga and yoga therapy represent a low-cost, high-impact addition to existing wellbeing strategies. They require minimal equipment, can be delivered flexibly, and can be tailored to suit different departments and roles. Importantly, they empower staff with tools they can use independently, both within and beyond the workplace.

There is also clear value in combining these approaches with existing NHS wellbeing initiatives, rather than positioning them as alternatives. Yoga can complement occupational health services, physiotherapy, and mental health support, forming part of a more integrated and holistic wellbeing offer.

LOOKING AHEAD

As the NHS continues to navigate a complex and evolving landscape, supporting the wellbeing of its workforce will remain a central priority. Integrating accessible, preventative approaches such as yoga and yoga therapy into everyday practice offers a realistic and effective way to support staff, which will ultimately enhance the quality of care delivered to patients.