The Aja Movement: Accessible Wellbeing

Aim

Aimie wants to make wellbeing accessible to all through workshops and individual sessions, which will be online and in person.

My Story

Hi, I’m Aimie and I want to start up an online wellbeing coaching business. I am influenced by western and eastern psychology, yoga & neuroscience. I currently work in a high school as a teaching assistant with kids that have special educational needs. This is something I am equally as passionate about, but by January, I will no longer be working in a high school; I will be a fully qualified Transpersonal Coach.

What does that mean?

This means I use different tools that are influenced by Western, and Eastern, schools of thought to help you notice negative and unhealthy patterns and increase your feelings of wellbeing and fulfilment.  

How did I get here?

Well, I wasn’t always interested in health and wellbeing. In fact, when I fell onto this path my mental health was terrible, I had low self-esteem, anxiety and I felt awful in my body. When I was at university I was diagnosed with anxiety and, after a near death experience in a motorcycle accident in 2017, I had the wakeup call I needed to start treating my health with the love and care it deserves. My relationship with myself has changed exponentially. I have healed on so many different levels and would love to share this knowledge and wisdom with you… So here I am! 

What is The Aja Movement? 

The Aja Movement is a women-centred wellbeing project. It is inclusive, and although it is women-centred, it invites all those who are interested in healing, growth and development, to its community. The Aja Movement will provide a variety of resources on how to improve, or maintain, your wellbeing. There will also be information – as well as practical tips and tricks - on psychology, neuroscience, spirituality, yoga, relationships and sexuality. The Aja intends to make wellbeing accessible and affordable through its use of high-quality online content, 1-1 sessions and group workshops. There is also a chance to work with me on a 1-1 basis!

What will happen in the sessions?

During the 1-1 sessions, we will work on self-esteem, body and relationship issues. When you work with me, you can expect to achieve sustainable and lasting change, that is both transformative and healing, on many different levels. Ensuring the change stays is your own responsibility and this requires guidance and practice! 

Why is it important?

The Aja Movement is important because wellbeing is. In England, women are more likely than men to have common mental health problems and are almost twice as likely to be diagnosed with anxiety. According to Mind, approximately 1 in 4 people experience a mental health problem each year. I find these statistics staggering! There is also strong correlation between long-term unemployment and poor mental health. That doubled with the fact there a long waiting lists to see a mental health professional, and high costs of going private, means there are not that many options for people earning on the lower end of the payscale. 

The Aja – whilst no replacement for therapy – is affordable and accessible. It offers you community and the chance to practice little acts of wellbeing and self-care that are manageable.

This is what the Aja is all about. Free, affordable and accessible wellbeing. Wellbeing should not be a privilege; I truly believe it is our natural state.

The Aja is a business and there will be a charge for individual coaching, yoga sessions and some workshops. It is my promise to be completely transparent. There will be plenty of opportunity for people on the lower end of the pay scale to get involved with lots of free content, some free online workshops; and on a bi-weekly basis there will also be the opportunity for someone to have a free drop-in session where we can work on an issue together. There will be no hidden costs. The Aja will not be solely online and will also be accessible in person, depending on where I am situated. I am a lover of travel - hence why I want to make the work I do flexible! 

What’s the plan?

Niall (my partner) and I are travelling to Brazil in January. We don’t know how long for exactly, but we plan to stay in South America between 6 months and a year. Here, we will immerse ourselves in the culture and volunteer at different schools and projects on the continent of South America. 

I want to clarify that I will not be using any of this money to fund my travels. It will all go towards my business, so I have the skills and knowledge, to give back to you guys!

I will have plenty of time to create magical and valuable content for you guys!  I intend to keep the content flowing, the business growing and clients glowing whilst I’m in away. My intention in the next two years is to complete an MSC in Psychology and Neuroscience, so I can learn more about mental health needs. 

In the future I would love to go into schools offering a variety of different workshops aimed at improving the mental wellbeing of students and educators.

What do I offer?

• 1-1 sessions are currently priced at £35 
• On a first come, first served bi-weekly basis, a free drop in session where we can connect via zoom and work on an issue together
• Group and online workshops which will range from free to £15
• Free online resources, such as articles and interactive videos

What do I want to offer?

My next step would be to complete my yoga teacher training. I would offer 1-1 yoga sessions at a charge, as well as pre-recorded and live community sessions that people can get involved in.

Where the money would go:

• This money would really help me to market the work I’m doing on different platforms and ensure that people who are interested in improving their wellbeing have access to such vital and important work!
• To help fund my yoga teacher training 
• It would also help me to fund the creation of free and fun workshops for you guys.   

This project successfully funded on 31st January 2020