By Sarah Bradbury

A Centretown-based program that uses yoga to help young people cope with life’s challenges has received a financial boost from a provincial funding body.

Radha Yoga Youth Outreach has received $66,000 from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, a provincial agency that aims to strengthen voluntary sector services through investments in community-based initiatives.

“The foundation’s grants have a positive economic impact on Ontario communities,” said former Ontario Minister of Culture Aileen Carroll in a recent press release. “This funding supports the government’s efforts to foster growth by helping people and communities to capitalize on their existing strengths and build for the future.”

The Cooper Street program, an initiative of the nonprofit Radha Yoga Centre, is supported by community donations and a group of dedicated volunteers. It was awarded the provincial grant late last month. The money will be spread out over three years and will help the outreach program become financially sustainable so it doesn’t have to rely so heavily on future grants, says Palma Wedman, Radha Yoga Youth outreach coordinator.

“Over the next three years, we’ll be developing a sustainability plan,” adds Joan Gamble, co-director of the program. Some of the money will be used to maintain the centre and for travel expenses, but most of it will go to pay the yoga teachers’ salaries, she says.

The Radha Yoga Centre was established in 1984 and offers a style of yoga that emphasizes reflection.

“The outreach program is completely, 100 per cent supported by the volunteer work of the Radha Yoga Centre,” says Rachel Barrett, the other youth outreach coordinator. It is a “youth-teaching-youth” operation in which young yoga teachers go out into the community to teach yoga to youth in need. The outreach program began in 2004 to support teen mothers, homeless youth, new immigrant youth, and other at-risk youth.

“Yoga gives them the tools to cope with the realities of life,” says Gamble. “These youth are facing real and challenging issues and yoga gives them the chance to step back from their stressful lives, and relax.

The first workshop was a hatha class for children and adults led by Angelina, volunteer RYYO outreach teacher. A small but sweet class of little ones and their adult friends playing together in yoga.

The second workshop of the day had a great turn out of adults decoding and observing the mind using the power of music and mantra. The Music, Mind & Mantra workshop was led by Rachel.

While upstairs in the Radha House there were stories being told, drawings coming into manifest and wishing wands being made for children big and small.

The Celebration followed with the RYYO team expressing much gratitude to our donors- Ontario Trillium Foundation, Community Foundation of Ottawa, Friends of RYYO; volunteers, and the thirty or so people that came out to show their support.

Kelley Whitman-McKie from the Ontario Trillium foundation and Barb McInnes from the Community Foundation of Ottawa both expressed how inspired they were by Radha Yoga Youth Outreach and how pleased they were to be present for our event.

We would also like to thank the following yoga studios for their support and donations: Rama Lotus, Windhorse Yoga, Moksha Yoga Ottawa and Kripalu Yoga.

Here’s a link to a short snippet of the Bhajan’s (devotional music) played during the celebration.

\’Om Mani Padme Hum\’ at Ottawa Radha Yoga Centre on youtube

Here’s a short video of youth we serve and a word from Outreach Coordinators, Rachel and Palma.

Every dollar helps in making our program financially sustainable.

Thank you for your support.

Click here to watch >> YouTube video \”Yoga helps me to feel\”

The families here are for the most part recent immigrants to Canada who are in the shelter until they can find more permanent housing.

I arrived to 16 kids ages 4-11 eagerly awaiting yoga class. We started with introductions; name, age and one word about their day today.

This shelter is likely one of my favourite places to teach. It has been both the most challenging and inspiring out of all the classes I have taught since starting with Radha Yoga Youth Outreach in September.

Tonight as I arrive I remember that today is moving day for a few families.

Their children have been participating in my yoga classes since I started teaching here in the fall and although I am happy that they are moving on from the shelter I do also feel somewhat bittersweet about their departure as I wont see them again and it has been such a pleasure to teach them.

Today we explore the Tree and Eagle poses together. I find myself aware of how the energy in the class is different today as the group dynamic changes.

After our exploration with the poses we have a creative time where I give the children markers and paper to draw themselves in either pose. I also asked them once they had completed their drawings to think of one colour that would describe who they are today, and why.

Their responses were incredible. One young lady told me that she would be a mix of blue, green and white.. “blue because I am sad that my friends are moving, green because I feel calm and white because I feel peaceful”

A few weeks ago I started bringing my guitar to the shelter. I realized after discussing music and sound in one class with the kids that most of them had only ever heard music on TV, or the internet.

Music has been such a powerful and inspiring force in my life enabling me to easily connect to myself and others so it was very clear that I needed to share this within my classes here.

Tonight we decided to make a song together with our colours. In the past we have sang about what yoga helps us to feel but tonight I wanted to explore creating something new together.

We thought of something positive and beautiful to represent each colour of the rainbow and began to sing them together after each child shared their Tree/Eagle drawing and their colour for the day.

“I am red, just like a red rose and I am orange like a delicious carrot. I am yellow like the shining sun, and I am green like the tall grass. I am blue like the endless sky and I am purple like a bunch of grapes… I am all the colours of the rainbow, all the colours of the rainbow live in me.”

As they rolled up their mats as the class ended they continued singing.. so I continued to play. It feels so great to send these kids back to their rooms that they share with anywhere from 4-10 other family members with a song that they can sing to lift themselves above their current situation.

I leave here tonight with a headache but my heart is shining. Nothing brings me more joy than sharing what I love most with children who are so receptive and truly desire expressing their inner creativity but rarely have the opportunity to do so.

Each class here is so different. Challenging, fun, engaging and tiring. I always leave looking so forward to falling into bed and off to sleep but looking forward for my next opportunity to share different forms of yoga with such brilliant young minds.

Om ~ Rachel

RYYO is having our annual Yogathon from March 14th-20th. For more information on how you can get involved you can check out our website at www.ryyo.org

Support the youth outreach initiative and smile knowing that your donation helps to share the benefits of yoga with youth at risk.

**Yoga studios across Ottawa are participating in the Radha Yoga for Youth Outreach (RYYO) Yogathon in support of the RYYO program which has been offering yoga to marginalized youth in the city for the past 5 years. In this article, Rachel Barrett, one of the RYYO teachers shares some of her experiences with these very special young people.**

Last night I taught a class to children aged 4-12 at a Family Housing Shelter. There were 16 smiling faces present, most recent immigrants to Canada who have been introduced to yoga since they came to the Shelter.

I teach 2 classes here every week, one for youth and this class for kids.

When I arrived in the classroom the group was very energetic and excited to see that I brought my guitar along to class. We started with some Hatha, but stretching our bodies and paying attention to our breathing was not keeping their attention for very long. I continued by giving each child a piece of paper and a marker, asking them to draw or write what it is they get from coming to yoga, what do they take away from class?

The time to write and express themselves knowing that there is no wrong or right answer had them excited again and reengaged in the class.

After a few moments I asked them to think of one word that stands out from what they written to share with the rest of the group.

I began to play my guitar.. “We are going to create a yoga song together, each person has one important word of their own to contribute and each person will have time to say their word and then we will sing them together as a group.” …A few cheers, lots of big smiles and excited faces.

I started singing an example for them “Yoga helps me to feel…. free! I can be me!” Their eyes widened, so did mine. It is such an inspiring experience to share in creating music together!

I asked who was ready to go next, 3 kids raised their hands (12, 6 and 10 years old) and said their words “inspired, happy, strong” We then sang along together “Yoga helps me to feel… inspired, happy and strong!” The kids were now all smiling, participating, cooperating and patiently awaiting their turn.

The deeply powerful words kept coming “healthy, growing, flexible, relaxed, fun…” Wow, I am immensely proud of the change I can see in these kids in the past few minutes. I am witnessing how well they can work together, support and encourage one another, connect to each others words and sing together like a beautiful little choir of angels.

I noticed how quickly yoga impacts these children. Twenty minutes ago I had a class that was for the most part distracted, and doing their own thing. After this creative expression, I now had 16 pairs of eyes contently watching me and patiently waiting for the next part of class to be introduced.

My days are filled with this kind of experience, offering yoga and observing transformation.

The Yoga for Youth Outreach program operates because of support from the community. In this Light Radha Yoga Youth Outreach is hosting a week long Yogathon March 14th-20th to raise funds for the program and awareness in our community about the work we do and the youth whose lives benefit from our classes.

Yoga Studios and Teachers are patricipating by donating part of their revenue from classes and inviting students to become a Friend of RYYO

Much support

This year RYYO received three significant grants to help fund our program. The first from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, and then two that came by surprise from The Ottawa Community Foundation and the Ottawa Kripalu Yoga Centre.

We were lucky to have three representatives from Kripalu at the event to present a cheque to RYYO and to share their own personal connections with Swami Radha and her teachings.

Our focus for the event was to recognize the growth and success in the RYYO program through the past 6 years, and to express much gratitude for all of our supporters through our Friends of RYYO fundraising campaign, Volunteers and Donors, who helped make this possible.

The Radha Centre came alive as people mingled, discussing their own connection with the program while watching a picture slideshow, enjoying tea & savories, live music (provided by Ray Smith), and participating in a word game intended to build connections and set the tone for the evening.

Our intention and hope was to convey the joy and inspiration that we feel through our teaching experiences with the youth and make it an uplifting event to share our stories with the community.

Anne Churchill a member of the Ottawa Radha Yoga Centre coordinating committee describes her experience of the event: “The enthusiasm of the RYYO team was truly uplifting. The interactive game was a wonderful way of bringing together people who didn’t know one another and the reading out loud of testimonials from the youth made their presence among us tangible. The evening was pronounced a success by all!”

Kathy Nathan, one of RYYO’s longest standing supporters, describes her experience in bearing witness to the growth of the program: “About 7 years ago, Janet Gaston [now Swami Samayananda] and I discussed the idea of young teachers from Yasodhara coming to teach in agencies serving youth, I don’t think either of us imagined the wide variety of settings benefitting from the generous offerings of young yoga teachers like you! Since I was on the board of the Youth Services Bureau at the time I knew very well the overwhelming need among teens and youth. I also knew how difficult this population is to engage in something that requires focus, discipline and commitment. As yoga practitioners and teachers YOU at Radha have successfully bridged the gap and brought diverse groups of young people clarity of vision and belief in their true potential!
Yoga expands our emotional horizons and stretches our concepts of ourselves – in addition to strengthening us and releasing tension from our bodies. But it will only do so with the guidance of skillful and compassionate teaching. So you, the RYYO teachers; are the bridge for countless young persons with so much potential but so few opportunities to unlock that potential.
May you continue to come to Ottawa, year after year, bringing your warmth and enthusiasm to ignite the Light in those young people who need it most.”

Those of us currently working with RYYO would like to take this opportunity to recognize all those who helped to bring this outreach initiative to life- Swami Samayananda and Sarada Eastham; those who have helped to maintain the program through the years; and all those who will be involved in some way in the future sustainability of the program.

The event was also the time for us to thank two key members of the RYYO team as they transition into their next steps.

Amanda Jahnke who has been teaching outreach classes since 2006 is moving to India this month. Jessica Earle-Meadows is stepping back from her full-time role with RYYO to do a Masters program in Montreal but continues to work with us in developing a long-term Sustainability plan for the program.

Jessica describes her feelings of the event: “It was a sacred opportunity to witness and ritualize the “passing of the torch” from one era of outreach programming to the next. As Amanda and I move on to the next phase of our lives, we’re both so grateful that Palma and Rachel have stepped in to serve and inspire, and that there is such incredible support from so many different sources in place for RYYO to continue offering its programming.”

Om Radha

With much gratitude!

If you are on facebook add Radha Yoga Youth-Outreach as a friend to view pictures and video from the event.

and for Windows computers click here.

“I think yoga is helpful to us teens because when we get stressed out a lot we spaz out.  But since you taught me I found a way to relax my body when I’m angry or depressed.  I also tell my friends about ways to relax their body which they also like.  So yoga is helpful to us teens.” 13 yr. old male

-Amanda

I had my first class today teaching at a family shelter – for women and children fleeing abuse.  My first impression was that it was kind of like a youth hostel; with dimly lit staircases, small rooms with bunk beds, shared kitchens and communal bathrooms.  However, one small difference:  I was bombarded with children that seemed to be totally out of control, laughing and screaming and running and literally climbing up the walls. . . it was loud and chaotic! And then the program coordinator told me that these were Michael’s yoga kids! Oh my gosh – I had no idea what Michael had meant when he said that they were a challenging group. I felt a renewed respect for Michael and a wave of relief, grateful that I wasn’t teaching these little monkeys today! Michael has been offering a class to the children here for several weeks, and I was here today to begin a yoga class with the teenagers. Standing up taller and deciding that I was going to have to ‘lay down
the law’ first and foremost with this group in an environment like this, I invoked an aura of light and compassion around me and waited for the teens.  Eight teenagers with one toddler in tow arrived with a mixture of curiosity, stand-offishness, shyness and nervous aggressive behaviour.  I was feeling really confident, present and grounded.  I felt like an experienced teacher. (wow – I guess I am!)  

After introductions I told them that I was only there for an hour, and in order for this to work every week I needed something from them. I spoke with passion.  I said, “We need RESPECT in three areas:  RESPECT for yourselves and your bodies.  RESPECT for each other – verbally and physically  - including zero physical contact with each other – no pushing, ho hitting, not even hugging in the yoga space. And RESPECT for the space – including silence when I ask for it.” I had their full attention.  We had a fantastic class. Space for games and laughter as well as focused concentration, breathing and ten whole minutes of silence at the end. Only once did I have to say, “that language is not acceptable here”.  How did I become such a discipline buff?! Bringing ‘discipline’ into yoga classes was one of my biggest challenges entering this line of work four years ago, and I’ve tried alot of approaches.  I am realizing how important clear boundaries and expectations are – particularly for this group of teens who’s parent(s) have been assumably inconsistent and abusive.  Having clear rules and structure in this time of ‘transition’ as they wait for safe permanent housing is likely a relief. I like balancing this structure with an open forum and open communication, but ground rules are ground rules. They are vital for creating a safe space, a mutual agreement and an equal opportunity for everyone to have their own special experience in a shared space. I’m confident that the example shown and the  tools learned in yoga are influencing their days as they all live together under one roof, forming an extended family of sorts – struggling to be included and to be themselves in these informative adolescent years.

Om Namaste
Amanda

I was deeply inspired to become an outreach teacher for, what was then, Yoga for Youth At-Risk, in the Fall of 2007. I made a decision to allow my heart to lead my life, and found myself in Ottawa after a year and a half living at Yasodhara Ashram, where I was trained in Radha Yoga.

Several weeks into my outreach work I was already coming up against personality aspects that seemed to follow me from the Ashram I had just left. Was I offering enough classes? How many kids could I get to come to a homeless shelter yoga class, and, when they didn’t come, what did that say about me? Looking to exceed limitation, I constantly set the bar higher than I could reach it, and sometimes lost myself in my self-expectant mission to “change the world.” This after a year and a half at an ashram! A kinder way of describing this would be to say that I am sensitive to others’ needs, and I am challenged by saying no to them. What a perfect job to explore the balance between self-care and service to others – learning about the balance between inner and outer compassion so that I can offer the teachings of yoga from a place of knowing.
Janet Gaston, then director of the Ottawa Radha Yoga Centre, returned to Yasodhara Ashram in December of 2007. Offering an outreach program through an often empty Centre that winter, I felt overwhelmed by a sense of isolation. It seemed sad for the outreach program to end, when so many hands had offered selflessly over the last years to build the program into what it is today.
In the spring of 2008, I proposed a change in role for myself to Program Coordinator while we expanded the program and hired on another Outreach Coordinator. Not only did these plans go through, the outreach program has evolved incredibly this program year. Beginning in the Fall of 2008, 6 part-time outreach teachers materialized, up from two (Amanda Jahnke and myself) just last year.
We are now a team of 7 part-time Radha outreach teachers, offering three unique services through 25 youth agency partners in the Ottawa area. Many hands make Light work. Our vision – and dedication – to bring the teachings and benefits of yoga to youth facing challenges is inspirational, brave, heart-warming, and fierce (try living in Ottawa during a two month bus strike over the winter and you’ll get my meaning).
We are ending our outreach program this year on a high note. A group of incredible friends, the Radha Yoga Youth Outreach (RYYO) team is hosting our first ever Yoga-thon in Ottawa June 6th-7th. Serving as both a fundraiser and a means of bringing the Ottawa Yoga community together, 8 yoga studios and centres in Ottawa have said yes to participating in this event. Raising much needed funds, our first ever Yoga-thon came about in part from the news that, due to current economic climate, RYYO would not be receiving a crucial grant for the 09/10 program year. In the true spirit of yoga, we’re inspiring the Ottawa community to come together and serve a greater cause one class at a time – just like our outreach teaching with RYYO.

Jessica Earle-Meadows