Yoga or pilates?  You don't have to settle for one.

Why not try PIL-YOGA - created by Dr Rajesh Menon from our pain clinic?

Consultant in chronic pain Dr Menon, has introduced an exercise combining yoga and pilates to help team bonding and improve staff health and wellbeing. Lead nurse for pain services Christina Knight contacted CHFT Weekly said "Lots of people attend the sessions, including me. It's fab!".

The idea was sparked after Dr Menon attended a yoga course which made him feel better physically and psychologically.

He decided to spread the word amongst his chronic pain patients to encourage self-management of pain. This peaked an interest amongst the pain clinic staff who requested a staff session. He took up the challenge and pored over many books and several online videos and took advice from his instructor before developing a simple set of exercises that could be done by beginners. One of his colleagues Dr Vyas donated yoga mats for the department as a leaving gift when she moved to Mid-Yorks.

The session was adopted with enthusiasm and six months on it is a regular Thursday morning session. It lasts for around 15- 20 minutes before the start of the clinic, and the team come in early to take part.

Some excellent feedback has been given recently, with most colleagues reporting physical and mental benefits and requesting a longer session! Many quote feeling more supple/flexible, more relaxed. And Tina added " I just want to stay in that zone all day (a darkened room with nice relaxing music playing).

Dr Menon told CHFT Weekly "This is an innovative, easy to set up exercise in team bonding with added health benefits for both staff and patients - spread the word!"