Drop in and tune out with pay-as-you-go meditation
In our increasingly fast-paced world, more of us are looking for purpose-led ways to unplug from the chaos of digital chatter. Approximately one in four of us will experience a mental health issue this year, and around 450 million people currently suffer from conditions like anxiety and depression, placing mental disorders among the leading causes of ill-health and disability worldwide.
On a micro-level, we’re all doing our bit to desperately reclaim our brains; from taking digital detoxes and practising self-care rituals, to ditching the boozy two-week allinclusive for wellness retreats in the wilderness. Now our gym routines are getting an overhaul too, as dropin meditation studios get set to offer busy Brits a place to do nothing but breathe in an oasis of tech-free calm.
The trend is already big news in the US; slick, drop-in meditation studios like MNDFL in New York City and Unplug and The Den in Los Angeles, are hooking a certain breed of stressed-out city dwellers who are finding solace in quiet, community spaces. They operate in a similar way to your local spin or yoga class; guests are prompted to “book your cushion” online for 30- or 45-minute sessions led by experts, whose practices range from deeply relaxing and restorative breath-work, to energising, feel-good classes.
Much like the gym, the studios have become an important part of many people’s daily routines, and now the UK is starting to cotton on; the first pay-as-you-go, stand-alone meditation studio just opened in Britain, offering a casual drop-in space to switch off and relax.
Meditation might conjure thoughts of hippyish, off-the-grid living, but this new breed of meditation studio is anything but primitive. Tucked away in London’s well-heeled Belgravia, Re:mind (remindstudio.com) is a zen-like haven that’s sure to appeal to generation Instagram; all hanging plants, soothing magnolia walls and industrial, lofty rooms scattered with linen meditation cushions.
Much like its American counterparts, the studio aligns with the ethics of its modern, ecoconscious visitors – there’s a zerowaste, zero single-use plastic juice bar, an eco-lifestyle shop stocking organic skincare and all of the equipment used – from the yoga mats to the buckwheat beanbags – is ethically sourced.
Whilst the majority of the UK’S meditation classes present a continual commitment structure, Re:mind founders Carla von Anhalt and Yulia Kovaleva say they are filling the gap for easy access, dropin meditation classes, offering accessible pricing beginning at £10 per class (unlimited memberships are also available). There are several different types of meditation up for grabs – Re:spire is a bit like a HIIT class, bringing energy into the body on sluggish Monday mornings, while Re:sound uses healing gongs and crystal bowls to re-tune anxious thoughts. A good place to start, the founders say, is Re:aim – a practice that sets good intentions for the day ahead.
There’s research to back up the trend too. In 2017, popular meditation app Headspace revealed it had been downloaded more than 16 million times, but studies show that swapping the app for communal classes could reap better mental benefits. Recent findings show that group meditation can improve feelings of wellbeing and reduce psychological distress and anxiety.
For those totally new to meditation, following a teacher’s lead can also help you reach a meditative state more easily, rather than blindly grappling with your brain by yourself. And who doesn’t love the sound of spending an hour before work in a quiet, peaceful atmosphere, bringing your mind to a brilliant state of calm before you’ve even had a chance to freak out over the number of unread emails in your inbox?
With the trend picking up pace in the US, it won’t be long before we’ll be seeing more of these studios popping up across the country, as consumers search for purpose-led approaches to minimise stress and anxiety. We all know the importance of exercising several times per week, so why wouldn’t we block off time to improve our mental health too?