Alison Keane

The Adolescent Mental Health Unit at the Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital is a 12-bed inpatient facility for young people aged between 14 and 18 years. Our unit provides mental health assessment and interventions for young people not only from Brisbane but from across Queensland. As part of the Unit's diverse activities programme, Alison Keane has been conducting yoga sessions twice a week for several years. Having yoga sessions provides an opportunity for patients to learn to release stress in a productive and positive way. In the turbulent world of adolescence this is an important skill to have! Alison has a calm and patient teaching style which is a great benefit.

Queensland Health

I really enjoy the yoga. It's just so refreshing, you focus on the stretches so your mind stops wandering. It helps clear your head.

Chantelle, AMHU patient

Prior to this event many of our residents were doubtful that mindfulness and yoga would be suitable. Many felt the yoga particularly would be too difficult and strenuous for their ageing bodies. Through her professional yet personable approach and ability to demonstrate modified alternatives of certain postures Alison was able to change peoples’ perceptions.

local government client

When Alison recently came to our group...she spoke of the wholeness of the person. We believe that this is extremely important and we aim to encourage group members to work with medical advisors but also to find peace and relaxation through mindfulness, yoga and other forms of relaxation. Alison’s manner, her understanding of people and her encouragement is very special.

community support group

I was fortunate to come across the mindfulness education programme after reading an article in the local newspaper. I was not sure what to expect as I had never practised this before, but definitely felt I needed to improve my stress levels and was also recovering from illness. I found the programme excellent. Alison facilitated wonderful Meditation and Yoga Breathing Exercises. I felt I also improved my flexibility and definitely benefited greatly from the programme.

Kym, The Gap

Overall I feel much more flexible and balanced than I was before starting yoga classes - as well as an unchangeable sense of well-being.

Janet, St Lucia

The yoga classes have lessened stress and given upper body strength. I like the cultural/ historical explanations. The music is good too.

Adam, Morningside

I just wanted to let you know that I really enjoyed the yoga class yesterday. I have tried yoga in the past and found it incredibly boring, I am more of the strenous exercise type and with my anxiety find it hard to just sit and breathe. I must say I felt calmer yesterday than I have in a long time.I'm not sure if that was an instant result of your class or whether it's psychological, but either way it doesn't mattter! A little stiff in the upper body today, but in a good way. Sara, The Gap

I really enjoy the classes. They are well-paced and I always feel invigorated yet relaxed. I realy like the restorative poses, especially the backbends with the bolsters.

Janine, Bardon