Yoga for Us
Donation protected
This is to raise money for Yoga for Us in Calgary, in order to offer accessible yoga classes exclusively for racialized women in Calgary, including trans women. Initiatives like this have been successful in other cities in providing womxn of Colour safe places to connect to themselves and to build community and space to process the day to day trauma uniquely experienced by this segment of our population.
These classes will be offered once a week- every Saturday morning, beginning in mid July at the Geniuses Centre.
The classes will be by donation, which will be used to pay for
the teacher. No equipment is required by the students but encouraged for those who can bring their own mats. Bus tickets will be available to support anyone joining who may have financial or transportation barriers to attending.
What the funds will be used for:
1) Paying for the room rental
2) Paying for storage to store mats, blocks, and etc...
3) Purchasing yoga mats, blocks, and straps
4) Purchasing Disinfecting and Sanitizing materials to clean all equipment
5) Purchasing bus tickets for any womxn attending who may need them
6) Marketing the Classes
My Story:
I was fortunate enough to be part of Yoga Unity in Ottawa, Ontario in 2017-2018. After experiencing the positive impact that a space like this can have in the lives of womxn who may not have the same opportunities to participate in wellness initiatives, I was keen on starting a version of this in Calgary. Truthfully, as a 'born and raised Calgarian,' who is also a WOC, I had experienced enough racism in our city to be afraid of the push back so I kept putting the initiative off.
The latest killings of Black, Indigenous, and Brown people in North America has been a huge catalyst for me. I am sick of this happening and I worry about the impact of this on Racialized Womxn, who already are at a disadvantage in our society. In all of this uncertainty, worry, and fear I hope to create a space where we can just breathe and hold space for one another.
More ways to Help:
1) If you are a WOC and a Yoga Teacher in Calgary, please consider offering your time to teach. Contact me via GoFundMe for more information.
2) You can donate gently used and clean Yoga Mats and props
3) Spread the word!
4) If you are a WOC, please consider joining the Yoga for Us board. We'll need help with planning, social media, advertising, and communication.
5) The next step after classes start will be to look into Charitable Status and that's a big job so if you have experience in this and would like to donate your time please reach out to me.
These classes will be offered once a week- every Saturday morning, beginning in mid July at the Geniuses Centre.
The classes will be by donation, which will be used to pay for
the teacher. No equipment is required by the students but encouraged for those who can bring their own mats. Bus tickets will be available to support anyone joining who may have financial or transportation barriers to attending.
What the funds will be used for:
1) Paying for the room rental
2) Paying for storage to store mats, blocks, and etc...
3) Purchasing yoga mats, blocks, and straps
4) Purchasing Disinfecting and Sanitizing materials to clean all equipment
5) Purchasing bus tickets for any womxn attending who may need them
6) Marketing the Classes
My Story:
I was fortunate enough to be part of Yoga Unity in Ottawa, Ontario in 2017-2018. After experiencing the positive impact that a space like this can have in the lives of womxn who may not have the same opportunities to participate in wellness initiatives, I was keen on starting a version of this in Calgary. Truthfully, as a 'born and raised Calgarian,' who is also a WOC, I had experienced enough racism in our city to be afraid of the push back so I kept putting the initiative off.
The latest killings of Black, Indigenous, and Brown people in North America has been a huge catalyst for me. I am sick of this happening and I worry about the impact of this on Racialized Womxn, who already are at a disadvantage in our society. In all of this uncertainty, worry, and fear I hope to create a space where we can just breathe and hold space for one another.
More ways to Help:
1) If you are a WOC and a Yoga Teacher in Calgary, please consider offering your time to teach. Contact me via GoFundMe for more information.
2) You can donate gently used and clean Yoga Mats and props
3) Spread the word!
4) If you are a WOC, please consider joining the Yoga for Us board. We'll need help with planning, social media, advertising, and communication.
5) The next step after classes start will be to look into Charitable Status and that's a big job so if you have experience in this and would like to donate your time please reach out to me.
Organizer
Aisha Zaman
Organizer
Calgary, AB
