Year of Our Island is kicking off August’s celebration of our Quality of Life with a series of events designed to help residents relax and promote wellbeing.

The project will be partnering with community groups to host introductory sessions on mindfulness, pilates and Yoga throughout the month at locations around the island. Sessions costs £5 and includes refreshments.

Year of Our Island board member Kerry Sharpe MLC said: ’August is about reminding us of how lucky we are to live on the Isle of Man.

’There are very few other places in the world which have so many natural amenities, readily accessible to the community.

’Year of Our Island is about encouraging everyone to try something new in 2018 and we hope that these sessions will showcase just some of the things that are available and give people an opportunity to take a moment to stop, breathe and connect with their wonderful surroundings.’

The yoga class will be held in the Villa Marina Gardens on Saturday, August 4 with Janet Bradley, from Shine Om.

Attendees will be given a brief introduction into the benefits of the practice before being taken through a number of basic stances.

The Pilates session hosted by Mo Sherring will take place in Onchan Park on Saturday, August 11

The Isle of Man is the spiritual home of pilates after its founder Joseph Pilates developed the training system whilst held at the Knockaloe Internment Camp during World War One.

The exercises can be tailored to the individuals’ abilities and requirements and have proven benefits of improving a participants flexibility, control and balance.

Mike Kewley of My Free Mind will be taking the Mindfulness in Silverdale Glen class on Saturday, July 18.

’Mindfulness is effective in reducing stress, a quieter mind, enhanced focus, improved quality of sleep, and a resilience to sit with a range of emotions without feeling overwhelmed by them,’ said Mike

’It has been used within Buddhism for millennia, but today we can find it used within multinational businesses such as Google, as well as in schools, competitive sporting and even prisons.’

If you would like more information on any of these events you can go to ourisland.im, email [email protected] or call 687007.

by the Year of Our Island project team

www.ourisland.im