Overview
A new gym opened its doors in Auckland this week — but you won't find kettlebells, running machines or sweaty bodies at Brthe — New Zealand's first mind gym.
Tucked away in a tranquil spot on Bath Street, Parnell, Brthe offers drop-in mindfulness and meditation-based classes in fresh, contemporary surroundings.
Brthe founder and mindfulness teacher Brittany Kendall says the studio was created as a space to combat the current stress/anxiety epidemic by reframing the way people think about their exercising their minds. "Anxiety and stress have become our societal norm, to me that's a signal that the way we're living is off balance," she says.
"Brthe was created to be a calming space offering mindfulness classes in a modern studio setting, in the familiar way we attend fitness classes to strengthen our physical bodies."
But instead of lifting weights or being shouted at by fitness instructors over pumping beats, a workout at Brthe involves floor cushions, soft lighting, gentle voices and relaxing music. Mind gym-goers can choose from four kinds of class: Exhale; using science-based breathing practises, Retune; using music and audio, Journal; a chance to reflect and act on conscious life shifts and Sleep; which promises to "transport your body to a place of total relaxation and restoration...to release the day before bedtime."
Kendall says the benefits of exercising the mind are just as significant as exercising the body — if not more so. "The mind is arguably the important muscle in our body. As a hyper image-conscious society, we tend to play favourites to our bodies over our mind. However, the fittest, healthiest body is not going anywhere very fast without its steering wheel."
To celebrate Brthe's launch, the studio is offering a 'Sit with friends' special for their first month open, with a free cushion for a friend with each class booked.
Find Brthe at 37 Bath Street, Parnell.