Yoga helps Angela get over a horrid year

Angela bounces back from nightmare year to help other people cope with Parkinson’s

It started five years ago, with a persistent tremor in her leg, followed by a frozen shoulder and generally feeling unwell.

Angela Mchardy recognised her symptoms immediately, having seen them in her father Alistair, who was nearing the end of his nine-year battle with Parkinson’s disease.

But instead, doctors believed she was suffering from stress.

Then three years ago, and just several months after losing her 84-year-old father to the disease, Angela received the cruellest of blows – she was officially diagnosed with Parkinson’s.

“When I got my diagnosis, my whole life just fell apart,” said the 55-year-old from West Kilbride.

“In one year alone I lost my dad, was diagnosed, and then my husband left me and my family. Life was one trauma after another.”

Symptoms of the long-term, degenerative neurological condition can include involuntary shaking, rigidity, slowness of movement and difficulty walking, as well as depression, anxiety and memory problems.

Angela had to give up her hard-earned role as head of education with Inverclyde Council and support her children – Hayley, 24, and Sam, 18 – through her diagnosis and separation alone.

But rather than spiral into despair, Angela has approached the disease, threatening to cripple her body, with determination and positivity.

“It’s been a hard journey but now things are very different and I’m looking forward to the future,” she said. “I try not to let Parkinson’s define me. It’s about what I can do, not what I can’t do.”

And she hasn’t let it stop her from pursuing her favourite pastime – yoga.

“Yoga really saved me, along with family and friends,” admitted Angela.

“When I get on my yoga mat, I feel like the Parkinson’s really just melts away.

“My tremors have mostly disappeared because of my medication but yoga helps me in terms of strength, balance and confidence.”

She added: “My strength deteriorated down my left side, where it all started, but I feel so much stronger and don’t have any pain in my

joints. I think yoga has

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slowed down progression.”

Angela is now a qualified instructor and runs classes three times a week through her business, Upala-haven Yoga.

“I think physical activity should be mandatory for anyone with Parkinson’s. There’s so much more you can do beyond medication,” added Angela.

“People are often surprised when I say I’m a yoga teacher with Parkinson’s but they seem to love my classes. I have a new career now.”

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