Update 1/19/2017: This project is complete and the videos are now available! See this page for more info!
Today I’m happy to introduce my current project Yoga4CF, a series of instructional yoga videos specifically created for the CF population!
About a year ago I was contacted on Twitter by a CF physiotherapist and yoga instructor in the UK who came across this blog post that I’d written as an FAQ about yoga and CF. Since then we have been collaborating via email and skype about our shared experiences and knowledge of specific benefits that yoga can bring to people with cystic fibrosis, and ways to customize a yoga practice with considerations for their specific physical and mental concerns. We started talking about a video series around this idea, and this has now become a legit project with a lot of industry knowledge and backing behind it – a combined effort by the NHS (the UK’s National Health Service), the Cystic Fibrosis Trust (the UK’s biggest national CF charity), and the online fitness video platform Pactster.
We are now at the point where we can make these plans a reality, and have a window of opportunity to make this happen! I am incredibly honored that the UK project team has invited me to be the “face” of the project on camera – they think that my knowledge and experience will make me a relatable figure for their initial target demographic of teen to young adult women. (This group is at the highest risk of a downturn in their health and can receive greatest benefit from a regular exercise routine, plus they are most tech-savvy and likely to be interested in our web-based platform.)
I’m flying to London at the end of July to do the final in-person collaboration on the video content and film the actual videos over 5 days. However, the project is funded by a non-profit organization with strict limits on their spending, so this is an unpaid work at this phase and an unexpected expense for me, so I’m asking my friends and supporters to help me make this real! I’ve created a GoFundMe page to help with my travel expenses, and just last night I received a huge gift of air miles that enabled me to purchase a discounted ticket. So now I’m fully committed to going, and I just need some help to get me the rest of the way there.
I would love it if you could take the time to read about the project, and if the spirit moves you, to donate or share the link with friends (especially with those in the CF or yoga communities who will really understand the potential impact of the project). The page is at https://www.gofundme.com/
I am so excited to be able to help people with CF all over the world live longer, healthier, happier lives in this way!
