about
Maitrī is a grassroots initiative supporting refugee and asylum-seeker women and their children through trauma-informed, gentle movement, connection, and community.
The word Maitrī comes from Sanskrit and refers to loving-kindness, compassion, and goodwill toward others. These qualities guide the intention behind every Maitrī program.
Maitrī was created in response to the understanding that experiences of displacement, trauma, and resettlement can place significant strain on the nervous system and emotional wellbeing of women and families. While practical supports such as housing, legal assistance, and healthcare are essential, opportunities for rest, connection, and gentle regulation of the body are equally important.
Maitrī programs offer calm and welcoming spaces where women and children can reconnect with their bodies through simple movement, breath awareness, and relaxation practices. These sessions are designed to be accessible, culturally respectful, and suitable for individuals with no previous experience of movement or wellbeing practices.
Children are welcome to attend alongside their mothers, helping to create an environment that feels safe, inclusive, and supportive of family connection.
Maitrī works in collaboration with community organisations that support refugee families, with the aim of complementing existing services and strengthening networks of care within the community.
Through compassion, collaboration, and community connection, Maitrī seeks to create small but meaningful spaces of calm and belonging for women and children navigating the challenges of displacement and resettlement.
Maitrī founder
Anna is a qualified yoga and naturopathic practitioner with additional training in trauma-informed practice and infant massage. Her work focuses on creating safe, compassionate spaces where women and children can reconnect with their bodies and experience moments of calm, connection, and community.
Anna has a longstanding interest in humanitarian work and is currently undertaking further academic study in humanitarianism and international development, with a focus on refugee protection and maternal wellbeing in displacement contexts.
Maitrī was created as a grassroots initiative to offer gentle, accessible wellbeing practices that complement the important work of organisations supporting refugee families.