A SOGO Active story: yoga for the mind and body

Ellie Smith is one of the Day Program Councillors at the Central Toronto Youth Service’s New Outlook. She works in a transitional program for youth from 15 to 21 who have mental illnesses. The New Outlook day program received funding from SOGO Active with the help of Megan Sutherland, from Motivate Canada. This money has been used to set up weekly yoga classes and a Wii fit station for the youth. Ellie says that since the yoga program started in September 2009, the physical and mental well-being of the youth has increased.

“Yoga is extremely positive” she says. “Even youth who don’t participate usually are engaged. They are able to relax and feel safe and comfortable. They come out of yoga buzzing and positive and do the exercises on their own at home or at the center.”

Many of the youth at the center take medication that causes them to gain weight. Regular physically activity helps them to maintain a healthy body weight and to cope with anxiety and depression.

“Yoga is really fun” says Tamru, an 18-year-old who attends the center. “It helps you relax and is good for your mind and for your soul.”

“It’s a good idea to keep going and it’s good to have that to make us more stress-free and happy. The whole week is so stressful and then we do this on Fridays and can have a good weekend.”

The center has also had an Esteem Team visit from Brian Nugent.

“I also liked the Esteem Team football player” says Tamru. “He gave me a medal and his story about a butterfly that was on the floor and damaged because it didn’t know that it could fly really moved me. I’m doing the SMART goals – mine is to try not to be late and to come in to school earlier and follow a morning routine.”

Posted by Eleonore Fournier-Tombs