Mind and Body Wellness Programme
A unique programme comprising of weekly Yoga & Mindfulness sessions alongside bimonthly Breath to Health workshops
About This Programme
Welcome to our award-winning Mind & Body Wellness (MBW) Programme, the comprehensive six-week community-led service evaluation project under NHS that empowers individuals with effective tools to improve their mental and physical health through the power of Yoga, Mindfulness and Breathing techniques. Our programme includes:
- Gentle yoga and laughter yoga, both of which help to release tension and promote relaxation.
- Various simple and yet powerful advanced Yoga breathing exercises.
- In the Breath to Health Workshop, the main breathing exercise you will learn is “Sudarshan Kriya Yoga” (SKY). This is a powerful rhythmic breathing technique derived from yoga which has numerous proven benefits in high stress environments.
- Techniques to strengthen the relationship between mind and body.
- Guided meditations and relaxation.
- Various other interactive processes.
Once you have learnt the breathing and other techniques, they are easy for you to practise at home daily and you can join for weekly follow-up sessions as well.
Benefits of the Mind & Body Wellness Programme
By joining MBW, you will experience a range of benefits, including:
Calms your mind and relaxes your body with gentle yoga and laughter yoga
Improves your confidence and resilience
Helps you manage your emotions
Increases your energy levels and brings positivity into your life
Lowers your stress levels
Reduces anxiety and depression
Equips you to handle challenging situations
Provides practical tips to improve your work and interpersonal relationships
What People are Saying About the Programme
What People are Saying About the Mind and Body Wellness Weekly Sessions
What People are Saying About the Breath to Health Workshops
Testimonials from Hospital Staff, Dental Consultants, PHPs and GP Trainees (MBW Taster Sessions)
Mind & Body Wellness Free Weekly Sessions – Locations & Dates
We’re super excited to announce that we have managed to tap into 4 sources of funding to be able to extend the Mind & Body Wellness Programme from Caerphilly area to Newport and Blaenau Gwent.
See below for details of all forthcoming programmes across these locations.
Blackwood, Caerphilly
Blackwood Jobcentre
Vision House
High Street
Blackwood
NP12 1BE
Fridays, 10th January to 7th February 2025
Eighth of our 5-weekly cohorts
9.30am-11.00am
Registration Now Open
To secure your place for the Blackwood Mind & Body Wellness Programme, Cohort 8, please complete the following registration form.
Ebbw Vale, Blaenau Gwent
Ebbw Vale Institute (EVI)
Church Street
Ebbw Vale
NP23 6BE
Thursdays, 20th February to 20th March 2025
Second of our 5-weekly cohorts
9.30am to 11.00am
Registration Not Yet Open
To secure your place for the Ebbw Vale Mind & Body Wellness Programme, complete the following registration form.
Newport
Coffee 'n' Laughs (Women's Group)
Community House
Eton Road
Newport
NP19 6BL
Thursdays, 19th September to 17th October 2024
First of our 5-weekly cohorts
2pm to 3pm
Registration Now Closed
To register you need to be a member of the Coffee ‘n’ Laughs Women’s Group (a community group for women of all ages). Please contact Azra on 07482 308482 for more information or consult: Coffee n laughs — COMMUNITY HOUSE Community House Newport (communityhousemaindee.org).
Breath to Health Workshops – Locations & Dates
We’re super excited to announce that we have managed to tap into 4 sources of funding to be able to extend the Breath to Health Workshops from the Caerphilly area to Newport and Blaenau Gwent.
See below for details of all forthcoming workshops across these locations.
Blackwood, Caerphilly
Blackwood Jobcentre
Vision House
High Street
Blackwood
NP12 1BE
Wednesday, 23rd October to Friday, 25th October 2024
Seventh of our Caerphilly area Breath to Health workshops
Day 1: 10am-1pm; Days 2 & 3: 9.30am - 12.30pm
Registration Now Closed
Please check back here soon for details of the next Blackwood Breath to Health Workshop
Ebbw Vale, Blaenau Gwent
Ebbw Vale Institute (EVI)
Church Street
Ebbw Vale
NP23 6BE
Wednesday, 27th November to Friday, 29th November 2024
Second of our 3-day Breath to Health Workshops in Blaenau Gwent.
9.30am to 12.30pm
Registration Now Open
To secure your place for the Ebbw Vale Mind & Body Wellness Programme, complete the following registration form.
Newport
Coffee 'n' Laughs (Women's Group)
Community House
Eton Road
Newport
NP19 6BL
Thursday, 21st November to Saturday, 23rd November 2024
First of our Newport Breath to Health Workshops
Day 1: 2-4pm (in Hall); Day 2: 10am-12pm (in Coffee Lounge); Day 3: 1.30pm-3.30pm (in Coffee Lounge)
Registration Now Open
To register you need to be a member of the Coffee ‘n’ Laughs Women’s Group (a community group for women of all ages). Please contact Azra on 07482 308482 for more information or consult: Coffee n laughs — COMMUNITY HOUSE Community House Newport (communityhousemaindee.org).
More Information (For Weekly Sessions & 3-Day Workshop)
Who's it for?
This programme is open to all adults to support their physical and mental health. If you’re feeling stressed, anxious or are suffering from mild to moderate depression or from PTSD, then we would like to hear from you.
We will be seeking referrals from GP surgeries and PHPs (Psychological Health Practitioners). However, patients/adults can self-refer too.
Project Lead
This project is led by Dr Manmeet Kaur, a GP Partner at Pengam Health Centre, Winner of ABUHB Staff Recognition Award 2024 (Category: Population Health & Wellbeing), EMMWA Award Winner 2022, Certified 500hr Yoga Instructor, Breath & Meditation Instructor.
What to bring with you
A yoga mat (a mat can be provided if you don’t have one), blanket, water bottle/flask. Come in comfortable clothing.
How to sign up
Please complete the registration form (where applicable). The weekly sessions are free, but the 3-day workshop (total 9 hours) is only £50 (heavily subsidised from £250 thanks to funding). You can select both, or one or the other. Many of our participants love to do both to maximise the impact on their lives.
Background to Programme
The Mind and Body Wellness programme has been developed off the back of a highly successful voluntary service evaluation project called “Yoga and Mindfulness Therapy”. This took place at a community centre in the Blackwood area from April to November 2022.
A total of 48 people participated and the results were impressive!
Participants reported significant improvements in their mental health, including a reduction in anxiety and depression. They felt calmer, happier, more energetic, supported and positive in their lives. A few even reduced their dependency on anti-depressants and others reported physical benefits, including improvements in arthralgia, fibromyalgia and acid reflux.
Photo Gallery