It’s been almost two years since Breathe Hot Yoga opened its doors to the Bradford community, offering classes and workshops for all fitness levels.
For some, the studio has become more of a haven for women and men to not only work on their physical health, but mental health too.
On Friday night, owner Rosie White hosted one of her regular “Girl Tribe” nights, where she brings in special guests for women to come by to connect, open up and let out their stress in a low impact, relaxing yoga class.
Dana Clark of Heroic Humans, a global social impact movement, was the special guest of the evening. Heroic Humans empowers and acknowledges members in the community whose mission is to foster connections among heroic people and groups in communities across the world.
Clark started the movement three years ago after attending a workshop through her employer, Lululemon, where she was asked three thought provoking questions about who she was and where she wanted to be in life.
She admitted that at first the questions left her speechless, not really knowing the answers, but after some thought she came home that night totally inspired to create something that celebrated the good in the world.
And so, with the help and encouragement from her mother, she created Heroic Humans, and hasn't looked back since.
With a background in journalism broadcasting, she used her skills to produce her own podcast, interviewing individuals all over the world who have put themselves out there to help make a difference, big or small, in the communities they live in. From body image to mental health, everyone she has connected with has a story to tell that Clark hopes will be an inspiration to others.
To date, Clark has featured 250 people from across the globe, telling their heroic stories of truth, humanity and pain.
Clark lives in King City, but works at Lululemon in Newmarket, and frequently hosts workshops in the Greater Toronto Area for Heroic Humans.
On Friday, Clark brought along her 'Connection Cards', a stack of personal reflection questions, like 'Who Can You Count On?' and 'What's Stopping You?' to be used in group sessions, or in personal reflection.
"They are conversation connection prompts to be able to facilitate and create quality conversation and time and connection with people," she explained.
The idea for the cards came after having interviewing people all over the world, and listening to their stories and experiences.
"We all just want to be seen, we all just want to feel loved, acknowledged and heard for who we are," she explained. "We want to feel and be be connected to and with."
The cards, she says, can be used in large group settings or workshops to help connect with one another, and can also be used as journal prompts in self reflection exercises.
The women each picked a card from the stack and went around the room sharing their questions and answers. A common theme among the women's answers surrounded feelings of anxiety and stress, with many of them reiterating their appreciation for the yoga studio and how much it's helped them with their mental health.
After everyone had shared their answers, the ladies enjoyed a half hour relaxing, restorative yoga class with instructor, Annie Robinson.
"I loved that Annie's restorative yoga practice allowed my mind to slow down during the poses and my muscles fully relaxed," said first time visitor to the studio, Siobhan McCarthy.
"It's a class I definitely want to come back to," she added.
"I really enjoyed the event, it was a great night of sharing and relaxation," said another participant, Kira Pereira.
To learn more about Heroic Humans, check out their website here.
To join in on the next 'Girl Tribe' night in February, follow the Breathe Hot Yoga Facebook page here.
