A yoga instructor in Swansea, Helen Wilson, has been offering free yoga classes on the beach for the past decade, aiming to make yoga accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial situation. However, recently, she received an email from the council stating that she would be charged £24.15 per session for using the beach going forward. This move has raised concerns about the future of the inclusive yoga sessions.
Womankind Yoga, founded by Helen Wilson, has been a popular weekly event on Swansea Beach near The Observatory, attracting around 30 to 50 participants per session and even reaching up to 200 attendees at its peak. The classes are free, with an option for participants to make a donation, ensuring that everyone can join regardless of their means. The sessions have garnered national attention, with features in news publications and even a spot on a BBC television show.
After being approached by the council with the fee proposal, Helen Wilson expressed her concerns about the impact it would have on the community. She highlighted the importance of keeping the classes donation-based to make them accessible to all. The potential fee would not only jeopardise the inclusivity of the sessions but also create financial challenges for Helen to continue offering the classes.
Despite the council’s stance on introducing charges for commercial activities at public spaces, Helen Wilson argues that her yoga classes are community-based and operated on a donation-only basis. She emphasized that the classes have provided a unique health and well-being activity for many individuals who may not have had access to such opportunities otherwise.
In response to the council’s decision, supporters of the yoga classes have voiced their disbelief and opposition to the fee. Attendees of the classes have expressed how the beach yoga sessions have been instrumental in their well-being journey, offering a sense of community and inclusivity that may not be found elsewhere. They also highlighted the positive impact the classes have had on mental health and overall fitness.
Acknowledging the public outcry and concerns raised by the community, a Swansea Council spokesman stated that discussions were underway to clarify the nature of the yoga classes and whether they would be considered chargeable or free services. The council emphasized that they encourage the use of public spaces for outdoor activities to promote healthy lifestyles and that charges would not apply to non-commercial activities.
As the situation unfolds, supporters of the beach yoga classes hope for a resolution that would allow the sessions to continue in their inclusive and accessible manner. The potential implications of the council’s fee on community well-being and access to affordable yoga classes are at the forefront of the ongoing discussions between Helen Wilson and the local authorities.
Overall, the debate surrounding the imposition of charges for the beach yoga classes in Swansea reflects a broader conversation about the importance of community-led initiatives and accessible well-being activities in public spaces. The outcome of this issue will not only impact the participants of the yoga classes but also potentially set a precedent for similar community events in the future.