Therapeutic services

The body-mind naturally knows how to heal though we may need to put in place more supportive conditions to kickstart or support the ongoing process of recovery.

Yoga, mindfulness and nature connection are complementary therapies that are naturally medicinal and there is now a significant body of research evidencing their healing benefits.

The role of the yoga teacher, nature connection facilitator or holistic coach is to be alongside and support each person, enabling them to find their own way to wellness in a safe, supportive environment. Sessions may focus on a particular condition or set of needs or offer multiple benefits to different people in a mixed setting.  

To be effective and sustainable, many interventions need to be fully owned by the organisation and professionals who work long term with the individuals and/or communities involved. It often helps for a key staff member or two to participate alongside the clients. This can be a great leveller and offers a way of demonstrating and meeting a shared human need for well being. 

Examples of therapeutic projects include: 

The Language of Well-Being: Teaching English as a Second Language through Yoga

An innovative pilot programme involving weekly yoga for English for refugee and migrant women in partnership with Praxis and Globe Community Project. The 2-hour workshops offer embodied language learning integrated with trauma-informed yoga on the mat, followed by small group conversation-cafés on well-being topics to consolidate language and build peer support. Currently delivered online. See extracts from the Mid-Term Evaluation below.

Yoga for Mental Health & Trauma-informed Yoga: Camden & Islington NHS Foundation Trust

Highview Residential and Rehabilitation Services commissioned me to support people with a history of severe and enduring mental health conditions and complex needs. I provided weekly mindful movement sessions for a small group of men in their care. An occupational therapist and the team manager took part alongside clients to support their own well-being and strengthen relationships with clients, many of whom had multiple chronic health issues.

Reconnect workshops, Newham

A series of 2.5 hour workshops beginning with gentle mindful movement, breathing exercises and mindfulness meditation; transitioning outdoors for nature-based practices before bringing the whole group back together to share their experiences.

Participants included referrals from local social prescribers as well as members of the public. Most participants were new to mindfulness and some were working with multiple health conditions including mobility issues, depression, cancer and chronic pain. 

Growing Together - Inclusive Gardening 

I set up and ran a community gardening group in Newham, with a series of small grants from the local council working closely with social subscribers and mental health providers.

The group included isolated over 55’s alongside young women from Cygnet Hospital, Beckton, with complex mental health needs including eating disorders and self-harm, as well as older men with learning difficulties.

Yoga for MBSR Residential Retreats and for Carers

Restorative yoga for general retreatants and for carers as part of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programmes run by Breathing Space.

These residential retreats take place regularly at the London Buddhist Centre’s purpose-built retreat centre in Suffolk.

Mindful Stretching - Brighter Futures

A fortnightly online 1 hour session, including social connection between the young people before and after.

All part of a package of support for a group of young people who are refugees and migrants living in different locations across London and beyond. Their support worker takes part alongside the peer group. 

Mindful Movement for Stress and/or Anxiety

Tasters and courses for various clients including one-to-ones, community groups, NHS and employers focussing on either stress or anxiety or both.

Settings range from outdoors in community gardens for mental health clients, to offices and staff away days.

Mindful Movement for Long Covid with The Yoga for Life Project

Thursdays 11.oo - 12.00 p.m

Free well being class for people with Long Covid combining gentle, therapeutic movement with holistic well being tips and small group peer support.

To register: Book Here

Stretch, Walk and Talk, Lambeth 

A wellbeing course integrating gentle outdoor yoga, language learning and nature connection.

Designed to support refugee and migrant women who have found themselves even more isolated and under pressure during the pandemic.

Funded by Lambeth Council, hosted by Brockwell Park Community Greenhouse and made possible by volunteers enabling everyone to practice speaking English in small groups.

Touching Safe Ground: Teaching English as a Second Language through Yoga

A programme involving delivering weekly therapeutic yoga and participatory English sessions for newly arrived refugee and migrant women in partnership with the Mission Practice GPs surgery, Bethnal Green and local charity Globe Community Project.

Each session offers a safe space for the women to learn ‘survival’ language skills, practice gentle yoga and share experiences.

This is currently being delivered face to face with the support of an amazing team of volunteers.