The Connected: A New Group Experience
Supported You = Supportive Communities
We are all social animals, yet we inhabit an increasingly fragmented world. Busy, often disconnected, living mostly "inside our heads." According to the WHO, after the first year of pandemic, depression cases have skyrocketed by 25% globally. The lack of social skills and social relationships have also increased at an alarming rate (talk about a mental health pandemic.)
The quality of our relationships determines the quality of our lives, oftentimes more so than by our genes and lifestyle/diet choices. Taking a note from the famous Blue Zones: the geographic areas of impressive longevity around the world, all of the notable cases of healthy ageing communities have one thing in common. Apart from physical movement and diet of whole local foods, these populations are connected by a strong sense of social bonds - by reliable communal support, consistent interactions and shared experiences. This reflects on the individual’s mental health, which, in turn, again, contributes to an overall healthier local community.
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The Connected
When was the last time someone truly held space for you, really listened? What was the last time you lent your ear to someone without judgment or interrupting with your own anecdotal stories?
Rob Woodcox Photo
Perhaps you felt lonely in a new city at some point, or noticed a lack of quality communication amongst your peers, or simply “outgrew” your current relationships, including the one with yourself.
Like physical exercise, building and maintaining social relationships take commitment and can be a challenge, including testing your own boundaries. But when done intentionally and with care, needless to say, it can be very rewarding, discovering yourself through others in the process.
After all, we all try to eat well, workout and generally look after our physical wellbeing. So we thought it’s high time we have also started to offer a new non-movement group experience that focuses on mental health too. With our newly-launching The Connected 60 min class we are building a place where we take the courage to look inward, discuss our hopes, worries and fears, and learn from each other in the safe space of our like-minded BECYCLE community.
The Format
Coach Louisa Scheel
Guided by Louisa Scheel, who is a systemic coach and an expert on Zen meditation & compassionate leadership, each class is based around a topic of focus, discussing how we relate to it personally and collectively. The 60 minutes encompass the following:
we start with some breathing exercises
Louisa will then introduce the topic of the day: e.g uncertainty, courage, fear, motherhood, etc.
followed by a group discussion
journaling prompts
active listening exercises in pairs
Result: We are building a deeper connection that will leave us feeling heard, joyful and uplifted, within a powerful shared experience. Whether through movement or through intentional, crafted social interactions, we strive to remain open and curious.
“The pausing, the breathing, the listening, the sharing — that is what we need more of in this world.” says Compassionate Leadership Coach Louisa who is going to be facilitating the class as super connector.
RIDE. REFINE. RELATE. The first class will be held Thursday, October 27th at 6.15pm and will take the format of a free community event - just make sure to give us feedback, and help us shape this exciting new experience! Sign up here.
Written by BECYCLE & BEYOND marketing manager & integrative nutrition coach, Katia Varfolomeeva