TWO working mothers from Gargrave who run their own businesses have joined forces to help people deal with the stresses and strains of modern living at a series of workshops.

Emma Davies, who runs Essential Self, and Heather Bullock, of Siren Fitness, will lead the events, at Fire House Studios in Skipton.

The first, the ‘Mind Body Workshop’, puts the focus on ‘physical and emotional strength’, and is on Saturday, January 26.

Heather explained: “Emma has a deep background in mental health and well-being. She has worked in the NHS as a mental health nurse and in specialist dementia wards.

“I trained in ballet at Manchester’s Northern Ballet School before a career as a professional dancer.

“We both used our backgrounds in health and exercise, gained more qualifications and opened our businesses.

“We decided to combine our knowledge to create these workshops, due to our joint belief that the body and mind are deeply connected and can affect each other for better or for worse. The workshops are an opportunity to venture into the world of ‘mindfulness’ and how to combine it with physical exercise to complement everyday well-being.”

Heather said that all the workshops were designed to help people learn how to deal with the challenges of everyday living in what is for many an increasingly hectic world.

She added: “We guide you through a blend of mindfulness and physical exercises designed to promote resilience and inner strength.

“You don’t need to have any experience of mindfulness, meditation or physical exercise to attend this workshop.

“Using core exercises and mindfulness techniques, we will show you how to reconnect with your inner strength, to improve your physical posture and enhance your mental attitude to maximize your resilience in the face of any challenge.”

The second workshop is on ‘stress release’ on February 16, while the third is on ‘Positive Attitude’ and takes place on March 2.

Places on the workshops are limited. Further information is available on the website: www.essentialself.co.uk/mindbody-workshops