BOZEMAN — There’s a new fusion of fitness and mental health transforming minds and bodies in the Gallatin Valley.
A new collaboration between Zephyr Cycling Studio and local therapists is aiming to put a new spin on wellness with easier access to the tools to live your best life.
The riders in a class at Zephyr who sweat through a recent morning workout include Madison Currey, an MSU student, and Zephyr’s student ambassador.
“Every time I take a class I come out feeling better,” said Currey. “I think just getting here is the hardest step and from here it gets so much easier.”
Currey is passionate about the impact that the workout and cycling community have on her body and also her mind.
“I decided to primarily focus on therapy and movement to cope with my anxiety and depression and it’s come a really long way,” said Currey.
And now through the studio, she’s taking her overall wellness one step further. She's taking part in a new program called ZephyrMoves. It’s a collaboration between Zephyr and different mental health providers in the Bozeman area, offering free or discounted fitness classes and therapy sessions.
“I signed up immediately,” said Currey.
For Currey, MINDBODY wellness is a mission started several years ago
“I was having a really rough time in high school with anxiety and depression and I took that first step when I was 16,” she said. “Because I realized that there was no way I was going to be able to do this on my own.”
Carolyn Williams is the owner and founder of Zephyr. She says this is new territory for fitness in Bozeman, but she hopes it becomes the norm.
“We really believe in the power of movement and therapy to help individuals feel better with their bodies and hearts and minds,” Williams said.
“Wellness to me is when you feel completely at home in one body and that happens when you lean into a community that needs you just as much as you need it,” Williams added.
With Zephyr offering a free fitness class and participating mental health practitioners offering free sessions, they say the goal is to break down every barrier that might keep someone from seeking the help that would bring overall wellness full circle.
Demi St. John is Zephyr’s operations director. She says ZephyrMoves aim to make the first step of the journey easier.
“I know from personal experience how hard it is to find a mental health care provider,” said St. John. “My hope is that everyone in the Gallatin Valley knows there’s someone here who is willing, able, and eager to help them and meet them where they are at.”
As for Madison, she has already met with the first counselor to be a part of the partnership she looks forward to continuing the progress she stated as a teenager and hopes others will take advantage of this new spin on feeling better.
“Honestly you just have to find ways to keep you moving,” she said.
Lauren Jarosz is the first mental health practitioner to sign on for the partnership. Zephyr hopes to connect with 6 in 2021.
Already more than 17 people have signed up for sessions. If you are interested contact Zephyr and simply mention ZephyrMoves.
