Watershape University, the new education organization formed by two former Genesis officials, has teamed with a prominent water advocate to form a non-profit foundation.
Wallace J. Nichols, author of the book Blue Mind and head of the Blue Mind Company, have combined forces to launch the Live Blue Foundation at Good Housekeeping’s Raise The Green Bar event at Hearst Tower in NYC.
For the past decade Nichols, a marine biologist, has written and spoken about the physical, mental and emotional benefits of spending time near water. He was a speaker and collaborator with the National Swimming Pool Foundation before it merged with the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals.
The foundation will provide tools and grants to leading organizations who are putting this new research and practice into action.
“We are seeing more red mind (stress, anxiety and distraction) leading to gray mind (overload, burnout and breakdown) than ever," Nichols said. "We think “blue mind” is part of the toolkit of solutions—healthy waters help us lead more emotionally and physically resilient lives, and also boost creativity, contentment, collaboration, and general wellness. In turn, people will value their waters and oceans more when they understand and experience these benefits.”
“Watershape University, and before it the National Swimming Pool Foundation, believes in the power of water to help people live healthier and happier lives,” said Lauren Stack, vice president of Watershape University. “We are certain that the grants provided through The Live Blue Foundation will put “blue mind” to work for the benefit of humankind and the industries involved in recreational water activities, like the pool, spa and aquatics fields.”
