NURTURE for survivors
A free course of yoga relaxation, meditation, self-care and saunas for women who have experienced physical and domestic abuse. Available in Lewes and Eastbourne.
What is Nurture?
Nurture for survivors is a free course, with weekly sessions offered in Lewes and Eastbourne, where we welcome survivors of physical and domestic abuse. It offers a safe, gentle and nurturing time, once a week, to help us take care of ourselves in this often physically, emotionally and psychologically challenging world.
In each 90-minute session, he inspiring yoga teacher and Unity’s founder, Sevanti, will be holding a supportive and nourishing space for quiet meditation, movement, reflection and affirmation, including visualisation, yoga nidra and relaxation – a comforting circle, a private, socially-distanced space for you to snuggle up with a blanket and warm drink, with candles, oils and gentle music. A quiet space to rest and rejuvenate, with opportunities to write, express and share if you wish.
Lewes participants will also receive a sauna each month.
Nurture for survivors is kindly funded by The National Lottery Awards for All and Safer Communities Eastbourne & Lewes District Partnership, with sincere thanks from all of us.
If you would like to support our work through a donation (of whatever size, large or small) please visit our donations page.
NURTURE
for survivors
Sevanti
What will happen in the weekly Nurture sessions?
The emphasis in each session is on taking care of ourselves, loosening the body and learning techniques to soothe and relax ourselves in stressful situations.
Under Sevanti’s gentle guidance, the sessions consist of gentle relaxation with some meditative sound, essential oils, meditation and gentle breathing practices (which can be on the floor, on cushions, low seats or a chair, as you prefer). There is also some relaxing yogic movements and some self massage techniques taught for deeper relaxation and restful sleep. For the yogic movement, you don’t need to have any yoga experience or be physically agile. Everything is gentle and relaxing, and movements can be varied and adapted to suit you.
At the end is a long relaxation. Please bring a blanket – and a hot water bottle, if you like! Then there’s a chance for all participants to have a chat and a tea together – again, as always, if you wish.
The session offers an opportunity to sense the resilience and strength which lies within us all, aligning with stillness, rest and grounding.
What is the sauna element of Nurture?
During the course, Lewes participants can also have two free, relaxing saunas, one per month, in Unity’s lovely private sauna suite (because it’s private, it’ll be just you and no-one else!).
It’s a wonderful way to unwind. Sauna sweating has been proven to help you relax and detoxify your body. It will leave your skin glowing and clean, as the increased circulation draws your skin’s natural nutrients to the surface. A 30-minute session can burn around 250 calories or more. And our infrared radiant heat warms three times as deeply as conventional saunas and can help to relieve inflammation, stiffness and soreness by increasing blood circulation to relax your muscles. It can also help keep blood pressure normal, lower cholesterol levels and reduce chronic pain.
(Sorry but we don’t have a sauna available in Eastbourne.)
When and where are the Nurture sessions?
Sessions have been running since 2 March 2022 in Lewes. In 2024, thanks to additional awards kindly provided by the National Lottery Community Fund and Safer Communities Eastbourne & Lewes District Partnership, we were able to run sessions in Lewes and Eastbourne until the autumn.
We hope that Nurture will return in 2025 or sooner but meanwhile we have had to put the programme on hold while we look for more funding.
How do I apply or refer someone to Nurture?
You can use the form below to apply in complete confidence – on your own behalf or to refer someone else with their permission. If you would prefer not to give all your details here, please just provide a first name and phone number and we’ll call you back within 10 days (sometimes sooner).
Applications temporarily closed
Sorry – despite plenty of demand, we are temporarily pausing applications for a little while, while we look for more funding. But we hope to re-open the process soon, so please check this page again from time to time.
above, top-right) or the Unity Centre app: ensure you're logged in, select the appointment or class and press 'Cancel'.