Royal William Yard is inviting visitors to embrace a season of health and wellness, with the award-winning Plymouth destination launching a series of events and activities designed to nourish the mind, body and soul. From meditation and mindfulness, to paddle boarding and energetic yoga classes, visitors can truly banish the winter blues.

The Wellness Season will run throughout the next couple of months and feature a variety of holistic health, wellness and fitness lessons and taster sessions, on offer to all. Throughout February and March, local wellness experts will gather at Royal William Yard to hold sessions that promote everything from stress management and sleep workshops, to exercise that energises and rebalances the body.

During the Wellness Season, a series of relaxation and hypnotherapy seminars will take place, encouraging people to pay attention to their thoughts and feelings. Delivered by a local hypnotherapist and psychotherapist, topics will cover managing workplace stress, and the importance of sleep.

Additionally, Japanese restaurant Wagamama is running its ‘Open Mouths, Open Minds’ campaign in partnership with mental health charity, MIND. As well as raising funds for the charity, the restaurant is encouraging diners to talk more openly to one another. It has also changed its iconic placemats into mindfulness colouring sheets, to enable customers to lose themselves in a mindfulness exercise.

Aimed at boosting physical wellbeing, a series of Ashtanga Yoga and Jazzercise sessions will take place throughout the coming weeks, for those wanting to focus on a more dynamic way to exercise and boost their mood. Ashtanga Yoga is an energetic form of yoga that encompasses deep breathing and helps to detoxify the body, and Jazzercise blends dance with Pilates, yoga and kickboxing and strength training for a full, calorie-burning workout.

Whether you stroll along the South West Coastal Path, run up the Yard’s infamous 50 steps, take a bracing dive in the local tidal pool, or try a paddle boarding session in Firestone Bay, Royal William Yard offers a diverse range of ways to stay fit and healthy. Also home to some of the top national and local eateries, visitors have their pick of diet-friendly dishes and juices to indulge in.

To help visitors to the Yard unwind, an alternative therapy practitioner will provide a day of ‘chill out’ neck, shoulder and back Indian head massage taster sessions. A soothing holistic treatment, the 10-15-minute treatments will provide an opportunity to take a break and recharge. There will also be a meditation session that teaches 60-second techniques that can be woven into everyday life.

Another way to relax and unwind, Plymouth’s art hub and Yard resident Ocean Studios also has a packed beginners’ crafting events calendar, perfect for those wanting to flex their creative muscles and gain new skills. Open to everyone and for all ages and abilities, just some of the weekly workshops include jewellery making, floristry, photography, calligraphy and ceramics, with makers tables for adults and children.

Hailey Cattle, Regional Marketing Manager for Urban Splash, said: “Whether people are looking to improve their health and wellbeing, learn a new skill, or simply take the time to reflect and relax, the Yard is the perfect place to nourish the mind, body and soul.

"We embrace and celebrate health and wellness in every form at Royal William Yard; you can enjoy the breath-taking coastline while walking along the South West Coastal Path, indulge in a healthy dish at one of our eateries, get creative with our artists, or sweat at one of our fitness or yoga classes – there is something for everyone to experience.

"It has never been more important for people to take the time think about their mind, health and surroundings, and we hope our Wellness Season activities will encourage visitors to learn more from an array of local experts. We are also running a mindfulness session just for the businesses based at the Yard. Sign up to a class, come along, join in and enjoy yourself."