Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Beginners
1-2-1 private lessons and small groups
Classes and workshops to practice creativity and learn new skills with a view to develop your mental and physical wellbeing.
"Be curious, not judgemental." WALT WHITMAN
What's onCREATIVITY
Express your creativity and learn new skills.
HEALTH
Practice physical and mental wellbeing.
COMMUNITY
Join a community of like-minded people.
We have created a space where multiple creative and movement based industries come together for people to teach, to learn new skills and connect with others. We believe that the connection between these industries and activities can positively affect our mental health and help sustain mind and body.
Getting creative by practicing existing skills and learning new ones can have profoundly positive effects on our mental wellbeing.
Likewise, physical practices such as Yoga, BJJ and Capoeira can help us to calm the mind and connect it to our bodies.
As part of these practices we can build communities and share our experiences to inspire and help others.
Our Story
Lions' Den London exists because of experience. Experience of living with mental health conditions and constantly hunting for ways to manage in the times that feel extreme. During hours and hours and hours of reading, researching, listening and experimenting we have learnt that creativity and movement helps sustain our own minds and bodies. It is by no means a replacement for therapy or medication if these are needed but it can provide a foundation which allows one to function in the world and feel like a person who has value. It is through our experience that we have a chance to help others make similar discoveries of their own and also play a small role in shining a light on what it's like living with mental illness.
Founder - Daniel Thomas
I have always worked in creative industries. I left school and became a professional musician for 10 years before starting the first version of Lions' Den which was specifically a custom motorcycle workshop. I've always loved making things with my hands and overtime started to notice the connection between my creativity and my mental health. During the process I was diagnosed with Bipolar 2 and now have years of experience and a keen awareness of what the condition can do both good and bad. Since then I have spent countless hours diving in to what makes my brain tick and learning how to live with and use the variety of challenges that arise because of it instead of fighting with them. I personally use many of the activities that take place at Lions' Den as helpful tools and want to show you how they may be able to help you too. I also look forward to people visiting the space who might feel comfortable, in time, to share their own experiences and techniques that they find most helpful for themselves. Most importantly is that we strive to help each other and bring a genuine awareness to the issues that so many people are facing, with no judgement.
