Brighton Yoga Foundation Wins Prestigious Mental Health And Wellbeing Award

The British Wheel of Yoga (BWY) has achieved significant recognition, securing first place in a prestigious national award. The Brighton Yoga Foundation (BYF), led by founder Davy Jones, was honored with the BWY Community Champion Award 2023. Their commendable efforts have further been acknowledged at the Community Sport and Recreation Awards 2024, where they received the Mental Health and Wellbeing Award. This accolade is a testament to the impactful work BYF has been doing in promoting mental health and wellbeing through yoga.

Organized by the Sport and Recreation Alliance and supported by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, these awards celebrate the vital role of sports and physical activities in enhancing community life. The BWY's nomination of BYF was in recognition of their exceptional service last year, reaching over 2000 individuals through yoga programs in various settings, including mental health hospitals and prisons.

Diana O'Reilly, Chair of the BWY, expressed her delight over BYF's achievement: "This award not only recognises their outstanding efforts but also highlights how yoga can truly promote health and wellbeing within our communities." Davy Jones shared his excitement about the recognition, stating, "This recognition not only acknowledges our dedication to community outreach but acts as a catalyst to get further support to sustain and expand our work."

The British Wheel of Yoga is dedicated to spreading awareness and ensuring the safe practice of yoga through experience, education, study, and training. With over 5000 members across the UK, BWY stands as a leading authority in yoga teacher training and actively promotes yoga through various events and festivals nationwide. Established in 1965, it is recognized by Sport England and Sport Wales as the National Governing Body for Yoga. More details can be found on their official website.

As a non-profit organization based in Brighton, UK, the Brighton Yoga Foundation is committed to making yoga accessible to everyone. Through its year-round community outreach activities, it offers free or subsidized yoga classes to underserved populations in diverse environments such as schools, hospitals, and prisons. Their initiatives aim at improving physical and mental health for individuals from all walks of life. Further information about their programs is available online.

The achievements of both BWY and BYF underscore the profound impact that yoga can have on mental health and community wellbeing. Their efforts not only bring attention to the importance of physical activity in promoting health but also demonstrate the power of community engagement in creating positive change.