A new pioneering self-development centre is set to open in South Liverpool in March, bringing a full timetable of classes including free children’s sessions.

Awake will offer a full timetable of free children’s classes, encouraging Liverpool youth to practise fitness, yoga, meditation, mindfulness and wellbeing, which in turn reduces anxiety, depression and stress – tendencies which have spiked amongst children in recent years.

In November 2018, the NHS released its most up-to-date statistics regarding children’s mental health. Results show that one in eight 5-19 year olds now suffer with at least one mental disorder (previously one in ten).

The biggest surge has been in emotional disorders such as anxiety and depression which has risen from 3.9% to 5.8% in 5-15 year olds.

Awake is being created by former MMA fighter and local businessman Mark Scanlon and yoga and meditation veteran Dianne Atherton.

The duo have put together an incredible timetable for both adults and children to combat and prevent mental disorders and promote inner peace, health and wellbeing.

Awake will offer adults morning classes including its transformational High Frequency Fitness class that raises your vibration through a power hour of 20/20/20 domination of circuit training, yoga and mediation, providing the perfect way to start the day.

Whilst adults classes will be chargeable, all children’s classes will be totally complimentary and will be funded by the payments made for the adult classes; something both Mark and Dianne are passionate about to ensure that Awake is readily available to each and every child in the city.

That way, adults participating in the classes are not only helping themselves become healthier and more mindful, but they’re also providing the same service for children.

Children’s classes will alternate between practicing mindfulness, fitness, meditation and yoga to encourage creating positive habits, and in turn reducing the risk of developing anxiety, depression, stress and other mental health disorders.

Awake will have many initiatives, but one of the biggest is the I Am Project. Spearheaded by Mark Scanlon, the project is currently being run in various Liverpool based schools and is a combination of Martial Arts training, mindfulness and mentoring.

Mark has witnessed first hand how productive the I Am Project has been so far for young boys in Liverpool and its positive effect to encourage self-belief and motivation to be the best version of themselves.

He also spends time coaching MMA, helping children adopt healthy attitudes and learn how to control their emotions through discipline and commitment to sport.

Co-owner Mark said: “Awake is something that I’ve been wanting to do for such a long time. Mental health disorders have become more common, and helping people who are struggling is something I feel so passionate about. I have been working closely with children in various Liverpool schools on the I Am Project and am really excited to roll this out across other schools in the city, to educate and motivate more children.

“I’m an avid believer in the power of positivity and can’t wait to welcome people of all ages to the centre to help them transform their thinking.”

Dianne added: “Yoga, meditation and mindfulness is a recipe for a much healthier and happier life. I’ve been practicing yoga, breath work and meditation for over 15 years and am so excited to start delivering powerful classes to both adults and children.

“Anxiety, depression and stress is so widely spoken about now and an increasing amount of children are suffering from the effects of mental health. We want to challenge the norm and invest in our youth so that they can be more mindful and create healthy and positive habits that will change how they perceive life and deal with certain situations.”

The new self-development centre ‘Awake’ is opening this spring. 

Please follow @awakeliverpool on Instagram or visit www.awakeliverpool.co.uk for more details.