About Us
Debbie Ritchie & Helen McGinn set up Yogability as a charity in 2013, the same year they completed 200 hour yoga teacher training with Classical Yoga School (CYS) and special needs training with the Special Yoga Centre in London.
Having practised yoga for many years, they both realised they had the same passion, enthusiasm and ambition to give yoga back to others, having received so much benefit from it themselves, and to give back in a way that made yoga accessible to all.
They wanted to build a community where yoga was offered freely, or on a donation basis and to everyone, no matter the barriers. Jane Paterson joined Yogability, initially as a volunteer in November 2013, and now manages the charity with Debbie, collaborating on projects and services provided by the team and growing the charity and what it can provide to the community.
Today, Yogability is a thriving community of carers, mainstream yogis, kids and adults with special needs, volunteers, supporters, friends and family. We all work together to help Yogability provide more sessions, encourage kindness and support, provide assistance, yoga, health and wellbeing strategies, friendship, flexibility and most of all, community, to everyone involved.
Achievements
Debbie won the Provost’s Caring Champion award!
Debbie was nominated for this year’s Provost’s Caring Champion award by Karen Albrow whose son, Ben, attends free yoga sessions with Yogability. Karen said,
“My son Ben has profound learning disabilities and gets so much from his yoga classes with Debbie and Jane. He absolutely loves his sessions - he leaves so much calmer and relaxed. Debbie's incredible knowledge of how to move and manipulate Ben's body truly has such a positive effect on our whole family and we really cannot thank both Debbie and Jane for being so kind as to support our children in an activity that brings the kids a sense of calm, positivity and achievement and that they can utilise for the rest of their lives; particularly when Debbie could be using that time to think of her own needs!”
Karen also nominated Jane and Debbie for the East Dunbartonshire voluntary action award
Training achievements:
Debbie and Jane both completed ‘Accessible Yoga’ training in 2024.
Jane completed her ‘Yoga for Cancer’ training in 2022
Debbie and Jane have both completed their Udemy certificate for Cold Water Therapy
Jane completed her ‘Yin’ training in 2019
Debbie completed her Swedish Massage training in 2015
Jane completed Yoga teacher training in 2015
Debbie completed Yoga Teacher training in 2013
“A fabulous opportunity for some self-care and deep relaxation, spent with the most caring and nurturing people. Time well-spent.”
— Yogability Attendee