BUSINESSES have been given a taste of the orient with a master class in natural wellness.
Guests of Close Thornton Solicitors Beans Coffee Club were invited to channel their inner Zen by taking part in a taster session of tai chi courtesy of St Teresa’s Hospice.
Led by St Teresa’s Hospice complementary therapies team lead Keith Thomas, visitors were taught a sequence of moves from the Chinese martial art in a bid to help calm the mind and release tension.
The Beans event, hosted by Close Thornton Solicitors, Darlington, invites local business community members and charitable organisations to network and hear from invited guest speakers.
St Teresa’s Hospice fundraising and marketing manager John Paul Stabler said: “It was lovely to be invited to the Beans coffee club to give business representatives a taste of one of the complementary therapies that we offer to patients and to launch our new hospice enterprise initiative offering tai chi to local companies.
“In return for a donation to the hospice we are offering local businesses the opportunity to book tai chi sessions through St Teresa’s to help reduce stress and boost performance among their staff in the workplace.
“There has been an increasing awareness about the importance of mental health and wellbeing in recent years and we hope this initiative will help local businesses enjoy a happier healthier workforce as well as raise vital funds for the hospice.”
St Teresa’s Hospice, on Woodlands Road, Darlington, aims to raise in excess of £3m a year to provide free care and support for residents of Darlington, South West Durham and North-Yorkshire who are affected by life-limiting illness.
Tai chi is one of a number of complementary therapies offered to patients on the hospice’s in-patient unit, day hospice, out-patients and in their own home, including acupuncture, relaxation massage, aromatherapy massage, reflexology and Chinese massage.
Begbies Traynor business advisor Dave Broadbent added: “Beans is a brilliant event giving local companies a good business perspective and attracting very interesting speakers and guests.
“It was extremely interesting to hear about St Teresa’s Hospice’s Tai Chi initiative for businesses which I think is a great idea.
“There is so much pressure on people in business that if you can do something to help people relax, clear their minds and reduce stress levels it can only be a good thing.”
For further details contact (01325) 254321 or email enquiries@darlingtonhospice.org.uk.