Healthy Communities, Healthy City, Healthy Planet
"The beautiful spring came; and when Nature resumes her loveliness, the human soul is apt to revive also." Harriet Ann Jacobs
Here at the Brighton Natural Health Foundation, we're passionate about empowering people and communities to embrace mindful movement for a happier, healthier lifestyle. Read on to find out about our outreach work, free training and research.
Community Connections
It was so lovely. I have fibromyalgia and if I stay at home, I tend to lie down and think about the pain. It's nice to move and be with other people," feedback from one of our Pilates classes.
We have kick-started spring by working in partnership with people and organisations that share our passion for reducing health inequalities through the benefits of mindful movement including yoga, qigong and Pilates.
We are really excited to be developing mindful movement classes with: The Trust for Developing Communities, Hangleton and Knoll Project, Hollingdean Community Centre, Together Co, The Carers Centre, Family Hubs, Healthy LIfestyles Team and Sussex Surplus (who are providing tasty, sustainable food for our events.)
Thanks to Sport England and the National Lottery, we are able to extend our offer of free community classes.
Do you have ideas about how mindful movement could benefit your community? Contact samhart@bnhf.org
Curious about Qigong?
This 'thorough and approachable ' book by our former chair and long-standing trustee Peter Deadman covers the underlying philosophies of qigong.
Drawing on traditional wisdom and modern understanding of body, breath and mind cultivation, the book also includes links to dozens of free videos demonstrating a range of qigong practices.
Free Training
Do you teach qigong, yoga, tai chi, breathwork, meditation, Pilates or dance?
Would you like to know about how to work with survivors of domestic violence?
Thanks to the generosity of our partners, Rise, we are able to offer a free training course to help you work sensitively with survivors.
This in-person half-day training will give you a better understanding of what domestic abuse is, what to do if someone discloses and how triggers may occur.
To find out more and book a place, contact:
Tackling Health Inequalities
Diabetes, lower-back pain and cardio vascular health are some of the key health issues facing under-served communities in Brighton and Hove. We have been listening to the health concerns of residents at vibrant local health forums organised by the Trust for Developing Communities.
Communities are responding to these issues with creativity and resilience and we are thrilled to be a part of providing solutions through our mindful movement classes.
For more information on the profound effects that mindful movement such as yoga and qigong can have on mental and physical health, visit our research pages.
Looking for Space for a Class or Workshop?
Calling all mindful movement practitioners. Our partner organisation the Brighton and Hove Food Partnership have a stunning, reasonably priced space to hire in the South Downs, including mats and bolsters.
This former golf club is just south of Devil’s Dyke, with incredible views of rolling hills and rare chalk grassland. In the heart of the city’s re-wildling project, it is the perfect space for retreats and workshops.
Mats, bolsters and blocks are already on site and can be hired at a very reasonable rate from the Brighton Yoga Foundation. Find out more about the clubhouse here or equipment hire here.
Yoga for Long-Covid
We are delighted to be reintroducing our online yoga for long-covid classes this spring.
Feedback from previous courses was entirely positive with 100% of respondents saying that the sessions had supported their wellbeing and helped them to manage their Long COVID symptoms.
“A truly wonderful experience. It has improved my quality of life.. Cannot praise the course or thank our teacher Durgha enough.”
For information about our upcoming course, contact: tammymccann@bnhf.org.uk
Hooray for 10K
Our very own Sam Hart is running a 10k to raise funds for yoga classes for women who have experienced trauma.
She will be running during the Brighton Marathon Weekend under the banner of our sister organisation, The Brighton Yoga Foundation.
The Enjoolata Foundation will match fund anything raised.
A Summer of Yoga
Save the dates! The Brighton Yoga Festival and Yoga on the Beach are back this year.
These are joyful occasions to celebrate all things yoga as well as raise money for life-changing classes provided by the Brighton Yoga Foundation.
Yoga on the Beach 23rd May (details to follow)
What they are saying....
Some great feedback from our classes for women who have experienced trauma
Change a life!
We know that mindful movement practices can be life-changing or even life-saving. But they are not always accessible to people struggling with mental and physical ill-health.
Your donation could help pay for a class for someone who would otherwise not be able to afford one.
