Newly-launched Awake will not be charging a fixed fee for the sessions but instead will ask for a donation to make sure they are available to as many people as possible. Tony McDonough reports

A new Liverpool wellness centre is offering live meditation, yoga and breath work sessions during the coronavirus pandemic.

Awake, in Old Swan, has been launched by former MMA fighter and entrepreneur Mark Scanlon and yoga and meditation veteran Dianne Atherton. Their mission is to help “combat and prevent mental disorders and promote inner peace, health and wellbeing”.

Dianne, who has been practising yoga and meditation for more than 15 years, is leading the sessions, which are being conducted through the video communication app Zoom.

She is providing sessions on Wednesdays and Fridays at 10am and Tuesday evenings at 6pm in a bid to help families combat anxiety and stress while in isolation, while aiding with mindfulness, a positive mental attitude and health and wellbeing.

Awake is keen to make the sessions available to all and rather than charging a fixed fee, has made the sessions by donation only. All abilities are also welcome.

Dianne said: “As a self-development centre, we really want to help people with their approach to this uncertain time. Rather than being understandably stressed, worried and anxious, we want to help people and their families to channel their feelings into practising simple techniques that can turn their thought process around.

“The yoga, meditation and breath work sessions are designed to help people redefine the balance that has been lost in the world. I’ll be taking the participants through various exercises including stretch work and relaxation methods too which will provide a calming and productive hour away from any negativity that’s going on around them right now.”

To get involved, email awakeliverpool@gmail.com or message @awakeliverpool on Instagram to register your interest.