Lesley Ward
Lesley completed a BSc in Psychology and Immunology in 1989. In the mid-90’s she began practising yoga, subsequently gaining a yoga teaching qualification in 2004. She returned to University in 2009 to complete a post-graduate diploma, with a focus on health psychology. Her dissertation looked at the characteristics of participants in community-education yoga classes in New Zealand. At the conclusion of the diploma Lesley was awarded a summer scholarship, where she investigated the potential use of yoga for symptom management in rheumatoid arthritis. This study became the pilot for her PhD, investigating the therapeutic use of yoga in musculoskeletal conditions. Specifically, Lesley is interested in the therapeutic use of yoga for symptom management of chronic musculoskeletal conditions. Her research is complemented by 5 years’ experience teaching yoga to people recovering from injury or living with a chronic health condition.
BSc
PGDipSci (Distinction)
IYAA (Integral Yoga Academy of Australasia)
Ward, L.J., Treharne, G.J., and Stebbings, S. (2011). The Suitability of Yoga as a Potential Therapeutic Intervention for Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Focus Group Approach. Musculoskeletal Care 9 (4), 211-221.