The Mind Body Project has gone from running fitness classes to organizing retreats, yoga and wellbeing programs for both individuals and businesses. Beijing-based co-founders Alyssa Farrelly and Brittany Dunn give advice for dealing with stress and share what mindfulness means to them.
Tell us about the evolution of The MindBody Project.
AF: Fitness is booming now but when we first [started out], even just a couple of years ago, we really couldn’t find anything. It was just Heyrobics [both Farrelly and Dunn are Heyrobics instructors – Ed.] and a few new gyms, but they were really expensive.
BD: We wanted a space to meet like-minded people, and we discovered that we also wanted to build mental connections with the body. So as well as offering fitness instruction, we started offering retreats because we wanted to show people that health doesn’t have to be this one recipe. Your health is different from my health. So, at our retreat, apart from a meditative activity every day the rest of the schedule is up to [you].
And you also offer community yoga, which we tried last night. It was one of our favorite classes.
BD: I used to hate yoga. I’d go into a class and feel really uncomfortable and intimidated. Everybody would wear super tight pants and be really flexible. Some teachers just wouldn’t make me feel OK. So, I wanted to design a class that was about stress management and would help people to feel better and sleep better.
The class was really welcoming and all-inclusive – not just for yogis.
BD: It’s for everyday people. I think that if you feel connected with something [like a mantra] then go for it, but if you don’t think it serves you, then maybe try something else. That’s why I sing children’s songs when I’m instructing classes. Sorry if that was cheesy…
AF: I liked ‘Row Row Row Your Boat.’
BD: I was a little embarrassed to sing that the first time but, you know, it can help people forget about how painful that yoga move could possibly be.
Since you started out, ‘mindfulness’ has become especially popular. What does it mean exactly?
BD: Our interpretation might be different than the traditional mindfulness teacher. Mindfulness, for me, is being aware of how we’re responding to each situation. It’s not like I need to meditate every day and say ‘namaste’ or ‘honor my pain.’ It’s practical strategies for self-care; it’s trying to be more compassionate to myself and to others, and being aware of what I’m doing.
How can people incorporate mindfulness into their everyday lives?
AF: A lot of people don’t really know where to start. They want to learn how to meditate, but how? Now there are a lot of apps, like Headspace. Apps are good access points and something you can do at home without feeling intimidated by going to a class.
How do you deal with stress or anger?
AF: I try to think about being like water.
Like Bruce Lee?
BD: [Laughs]
AF: Yeah, people say that’s how I react to situations. I think breathing is really important. Before reacting, if you take those breaths you realize you don’t have to say it in that way and that it’ll be OK.
What’s next for The Mind Body Project?
BD: We’re trying not to do too much at once. We want to maintain our quality because we’re both also managing a lot of other projects at the same time. We want to make sure we’re not just pumping out things to say we’re the hottest company. We do this because it makes us happy and we like sharing what we learn with other people.
The Mind Body Project’s Bali retreat takes place Jul 14-22; US100/day (flights not included, contact brittany@themindbodyproject.com for info). Community yoga takes place Every Tuesday, 6pm and 7.30pm; RMB75; Project Pengyou Courtyard, 65 Xiaojingchang Hutong, Dongcheng 东城区小经厂胡同65 (www.themindbodyproject.com; 152 0122 0289)
Image by Victor Liu
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