New Women’s Wellbeing Centre Launched
Following a successful crowdfunding campaign, a new wellbeing centre dedicated to women’s health has opened in Penzance, providing a unique and precious resource for West Cornwall.
Garbo House offers a programme of progressive, holistic support to help women navigate menstruation, pregnancy, postnatal care, motherhood, menopause and issues around female fertility – with positive impacts for whole families and the wider community.
Leif Olsen, a yoga practitioner with 20 years’ experience launched the innovative project at her yoga studio on Bread Street; Garbo House starts the new decade as a multi-faceted space with classes, workshops, activities and treatments.
Leif developed the idea for an independent wellbeing centre after witnessing first-hand the lack of support for women at key times during their lives, putting them at risk of long-term physical problems and poor levels of mental health.
Her popular pregnancy yoga classes have given Leif a unique insight into the contemporary challenges facing pregnant women and new mums; lack of contact with midwives and low levels of postpartum care, feelings of isolation and intense pressure – Leif has seen women from all walks of life facing an uphill struggle.
At Garbo House Leif is now collaborating with other specialist practitioners to offer something unique in Cornwall – an independent centre with a 360˚ approach to women’s physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.
The timetable includes yoga for teenagers, pregnancy and baby yoga classes, women’s yoga therapy, a singing group, meditation, couples birth preparation, Mamas Retreats and workshops on baby massage, perimenopause, anxiety, trauma and using herbs in your home.
Leif explained: “I’ve seen hundreds of women experiencing profound life-changes, and I strongly feel that right now many are being let down by massive gaps in the traditional healthcare system. Garbo House offers practical help, but also a support network – these are vital things that women need for their health now and in the future.”
She added: “Our health system deals with illness and disease. Fertility issues, pregnancy, menopause – these aren’t diseases, but they are complex aspects of women’s lives and they can have ongoing – and often unseen or undiagnosed – effects.”
The initial timetable of classes can be found at www.garbohouse.com, with more coming soon.