In Episode 39 of the 3Spoonies podcast, hosts Karen, Jo, and Claire are joined by experts Luna Rose and Miranda McCarthy to discuss a crucial topic: exercising while disabled. This episode provides valuable insights into overcoming the barriers that disabled individuals face when engaging in fitness activities, and offers practical advice for those looking to incorporate exercise into their lives.
Meet the Guests
Luna Rose is a disability fitness specialist and coach for autistic and ADHD individuals. Luna shares her personal experiences of navigating fitness with her disabilities, emphasising the importance of using life experiences to guide her coaching approach.
Miranda McCarthy is the founder of Adaptive Yoga Live. A disabled yogi herself, Miranda shares her journey of living with rheumatoid arthritis and how adaptive yoga helped her to stay active. She offers free online yoga classes that are inclusive and accessible to all.
Find out more about Luna and Miranda here.
Key Barriers to Exercising While Disabled
The discussion highlights several barriers that disabled individuals encounter in fitness settings:
- Accessibility Issues: Many gyms only consider physical access, like ramps and lifts, but overlook sensory overload and other challenges faced by disabled individuals.
- Social Judgement: Disabled individuals often face social biases and judgement, which can make fitness environments intimidating.
- Lack of Trained Instructors: There is a significant lack of training for fitness instructors on how to work with disabled clients, leading to inadequate support.
Tailoring Exercise to Individual Needs
Both guests emphasise the importance of tailoring exercise regimes to individual needs. Miranda points out that yoga can be adapted for anyone, regardless of their disability, by focusing on elements like breathing, visualisation, and mindfulness. Luna talks about using props such as walking sticks or crutches to incorporate into workouts, allowing individuals to exercise in ways that accommodate their specific challenges.
Overcoming Mental Barriers
The episode also touches on the mental barriers that disabled individuals face when trying to exercise. Both Luna and Miranda stress the importance of listening to one’s body and finding joy in movement. They suggest starting with activities that bring happiness and a sense of play, like swimming or gentle chair yoga.
Innovative Fitness Solutions
Luna introduces her upcoming project, Stick ‘Em Up Fitness, which offers online fitness classes tailored for individuals who use mobility aids. Miranda discusses Adaptive Yoga Live’s subsidized online classes, made possible through funding from Sport England, which aim to make yoga accessible to all. Find out more about Luna and Miranda here.
Conclusion
The podcast concludes with an emphasis on the need for more inclusive fitness environments that cater to the diverse needs of disabled individuals. By sharing their personal stories and professional expertise, Luna and Miranda provide a roadmap for those looking to overcome barriers and embrace exercise in a way that suits their unique needs.
Find all the ways to watch and listen to the full episode here.
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