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In the rush of everyday life, especially in cities, it’s easy to go hours – sometimes days – without real connection. That’s why spaces where people can gather with purpose and kindness are so important. 

Whether it’s through yoga, a cycle class,or simply seeing familiar faces each week, shared movement can offer grounding, joy and a quiet form of support. 

At Change Mental Health, we know how important these moments can be for people’s mental health and wellbeing. That’s why we partnered with TRIBE, a studio with locations in Edinburgh and London, to explore the intersection of physical and mental wellbeing. 

TRIBE has built its spaces around a simple philosophy: movement should feel good, fitness should be fun and everyone should feel welcome. That’s what makes it more than just a workout – it’s a shared experience and, for many, a lifeline. 

As Olivia Hazlitt, Marketing Manager and Yoga Teacher, puts it: 

“Fitness spaces can often feel intimidating to even the most experienced practitioners. At TRIBE, we endeavour to put everyone’s mind at ease from the first welcome.” 

This shared ethos made the partnership with Change Mental Health a natural one. In November 2024, TRIBE launched its ‘November Challenge’, inviting members to complete 25 classes across the month in support of mental health awareness and fundraising. The community responded in force, with more than 90 members completing the challenge. 

“We were blown away by the reception and engagement with the challenge. It was an encouraging experience to see how supporting others can drive personal motivation,” reflected Olivia. 

finding belonging through shared spaces 

Connection doesn’t always come from conversation. Sometimes, it’s about the quiet acknowledgement of familiar faces, the comfort of setting your mat in the same corner of the room or knowing you’ll see someone smile across the studio at the same time every week. 

“Your Yoga class may be the only hour in your day when you are not with your phone and the notifications that come with that. That’s why all our studio spaces are strictly no-phone zones. While we love a chat in reception, our studios are intentional spaces for quiet reflection. Group exercise and meditation can be a great addition to an otherwise digital day.” 

Olivia described routines and forming relationships among members – arriving early, sharing a smile or nod: “The feeling of being ‘part of something’ is hugely valuable in our lives,” she said, “and TRIBE represents that for a lot of us.” 

TRIBE’s mantra captures the spirit of these connections: 

“I am who I am because of who you are. We are connected. We are part of the tribe, both striving to learn and grow and seeking strength of mind, body and soul. The tribe aims to support what you do and seeks to embrace who you are. When you are the best you can be, we are the best we can be. You are the tribe. We are the tribe.” 

community and mental health 

Group movement and mindful practices have long supported mental wellbeing, reducing stress and easing feelings of loneliness. They offer opportunities to pause, reflect and reset – benefits that go far beyond physical fitness. 

Olivia shared how instructors at TRIBE make intentional space for this: 

“Despite the class style – Cycle, Yoga, or Pilates – our instructors carve out dedicated time for moments of introspection. There is a myriad of different motivations for people to come to class and we spend time contemplating and honouring that.” 

One of TRIBE’s weekly rituals is its “mantra of the week” – short phrases that guide each session. Recent mantras have included find the joy, embrace imperfections and breathe it all in. 

“They are potent reminders that exercise is not only about a healthy body, but a healthy mind,” Olivia said. “Through sharing these mantras, instructors are invited (where they feel comfortable) to share from their own experience, reassuring their clients that they are human too.” 

There’s also space for joy. TRIBE’s themed cycle rides, set to soundtracks like ABBA and reggaeton, encourage people to show up without pressure and simply enjoy the movement. 

“The endorphins coupled with the undeniable joy of bopping along to Voulez-Vous is the perfect amount of silliness that we’re all often missing in our adult lives.” 

There’s something powerful about doing the same thing in the same space at the same time each week. These rituals – conscious or not – can bring emotional steadiness. Having a regular space to move, to see familiar faces or just to be offline for an hour, can go a long way toward managing stress. 

Olivia noted, “Even if you don’t explicitly converse with your neighbours in class, you will notice the same people at the same times.” 

She shared one story about two clients who arrive earlier and earlier just to secure their shared favourite spot – an unspoken but playful ritual that reflects something deeper: feeling comfortable, seen and part of something. 

making space for vulnerability 

For any space to support wellbeing, it needs to feel safe – emotionally as well as physically. Group movement can be daunting, especially for those who are new, unsure or simply having a tough week. 

That’s why how a space is set up – and how people are welcomed – matters.