Richmond yoga group FIT Yoga showed their solidarity with the ME/CFS community on 15 May 2025 by hosting a special awareness event during ME Awareness Week. Members of the group arrived dressed in blue—the official ribbon colour for ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis)—in a striking show of support for those living with the often-misunderstood illness.
After a calming yoga session and guided meditation, the group welcomed a heartfelt talk from Jazz Guy, a local member of the yoga community who lives with ME/CFS. Jazz shared her experience with the condition, giving insight into the daily challenges faced by the over 250,000 people in the UK affected by ME/CFS, including extreme fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, and post-exertional malaise—a worsening of symptoms after even minor activity.
I knew I wanted to do a talk to mark ME awareness week and my yoga group felt like the perfect place to do so. I've had ME for over 11 years now, it's such a huge part of my life, I want to be an advocate for our community. Speaking about my experiences and explaining my illness was a difficult & vulnerable thing to do but the group were so engaged and took in everything I said. It's nice to share myself with my yoga friends.
Jazz
Jazz has been attending FIT yoga for a few years now.
I love it! I don't do everything in the session and for the first few years I only ever did it sat in a chair. I don't hold the stretches with any weight bearing for long, I focus more on stretching out my poor unused muscles. “I'm at a stage with my ME now that my routine is somewhat stable and I can make it out to class once a week. I'm very aware that is a privilege within the ME community so I feel it's important I use this to raise awareness and be the voice for those who aren't able to get out.
Jazz
The talk highlighted a stark funding gap: in the UK, less than £1 per patient per year is spent on ME/CFS research—compared to around £3.45 per person with diabetes. This disparity makes events like FIT Yoga’s all the more important, helping to raise public understanding and call for equitable research support.
Our community is all about inclusivity, FIT stands for friendly, inclusive and transformation. Jazz is a long term member of our group, adapting
FIT Yoga owner Amanda
sessions to suit her limitations. It was powerful to see everyone come together to raise awareness in such a peaceful and meaningful way for a valued member of our group.
N.B. The form of gentle exercise that this lady uses to manage her ME/CFS symptoms, is based on her current ability of activity and energy management. We are all individuals with our own experience of ME/CFS and so what works for one may not be suitable for someone else with the condition.
Further Information
- The ME Association: ME Association Statement on Exercise in ME/CFS and Long Covid | April 2021
- Booklet: Pacing: Activity and Energy Management