Movement and Meditation on the Tweed
Create Wellbeing CIC delivered a series of free qi gong courses on the banks of the Tweed at Peebles, providing nature connection and wellbeing benefits for participants.
Create Wellbeing CIC is a holistic wellbeing centre based in Peebles. With support from Destination Tweed’s Community Grants Scheme, they were able to deliver a series of free movement and meditation classes on the banks of the Tweed.
Create Wellbeing CIC aims to work to help people who are experiencing mental health challenges, and who are living with pain, by offering free at the point of contact wellbeing sessions and more accessible therapies.
The project aimed to help people relax and keep active in an accessible way whilst enjoying the outdoors environment by the Tweed. Four blocks of 5 x 1 hour sessions of qi gong – an ancient Chinese practice that combines movement, breathing and meditation to promote health and wellbeing – were available, at no cost to participants. Meditations took in the sensory aspects of the environment and encouraged participations to feel present in the landscape in a mindful way.
Participants commented on the benefits of having a space to de-stress and do something for themselves. The sessions led to new friendships being formed and participants said that they looked forward to this hour in their week of connection with nature.
Total project costs: £1000
Grant awarded: £1000 (100% of total costs)
20 x 1 hour sessions delivered on the banks of the river
35 participants
“I am absolutely loving the sessions – what a great way to start my week on a Monday morning!! I’m spreading the word as everyone should be doing it! It’s especially nice to be outside, lying next to the river listening to it gurgle away as we meditate.”
“The gentle nature of Qi Gong exercises makes it very accessible and can help people to increase their range of movement.”
“It’s great that the sessions take place next to the River Tweed in such a beautiful location.
I like that we can hear the river during the classes. “Feedback from participants
The Community Grants Scheme was made possible by funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund Scotland.
Find out more about Destination Tweed’s Community Grants Scheme