I have been volunteering with Immigrant Women Services Ottawa (IWSO) as a yoga instructor since January 2023. I provide weekly, online yoga classes that include a combination of hatha and vinyasa flows, as well as restorative yin sessions.

I first discovered IWSO during the pandemic because I was newly certified yoga instructor looking to give back to the community, engage with people (outside of my “bubble”!) and gain experience teaching. It has been a true pleasure to be a part of a group that empowers immigrant and visible minority women in Ottawa – working with an organization that highlights the need to eliminate all forms of violence against women and assists women to recognize their full potential has been rewarding, as these are fundamental values that our society should strive to make a reality. I was particularly moved by the event IWSO hosted for International Women’s Day in February – I offered chair yoga classes, and was inspired by the range of services that various people and organizations in the community provided.

My favourite part of our weekly yoga sessions are the first few minutes when I get to connect with the women – chatting about their week, their kids, and what they would most get out of a yoga session that day makes me feel grateful to have joined such a kind and welcoming community. Their gratefulness at the end of class also assures me that I am helping, in what little way I can, to providing health and wellness to their lives.

What I love about yoga is that it can be accessible to all. It is not about how flexible you are or your knowledge of particular poses – it is about taking time to connect with your breath and with yourself. All postures can be modified and the yoga instructor is there to provide guidance on how to do that.

There is always room for more participants, so I encourage any IWSO members who are interested or curious in yoga to come join!

Classes are held Tuesdays at 5:15pm, virtually through Zoom.