Our interview with Toronto’s hit yoga challenge: Power of Movement.
Courtesy of the Power of Movement.
It’s no debate that doing yoga has some major health benefits. But what about benefits to those with arthritis or an autoimmune condition? Well, now it does thanks to the Power of Movement. This yoga challenge to help raise research funds is now in it’s fourth year running and hopes to raise over $250,000 on March 7th. Talking with Jess McIntyre of the Arthritis & Autoimmunity Research Centre Foundation, we learned more about how she got involved and why we should too.
Pony: How many people are you expecting to attend this year’s Power of Movement?
Jess: We are expecting about 2000 participants across Canada with 500 in Toronto.
Pony: That’s a lot of people! How has yoga affected your life personally?
Jess: I graduated from U of T in the spring of 2007. I was a varsity swimmer but stopped swimming soon after graduation. I turned to yoga for fitness and never turned back. I love practicing, teaching and promoting health and wellness. I really believe that anyone can practice yoga and that it can benefit everyone who tries it.
Pony: How did you get involved with the Power of Movement?
Jess: I went to a yoga teacher training session in March 2008. I met the founder of Power of Movement there and was inspired to get involved. I became a part of this team who took a single Toronto event and turned it into a nationwide fundraiser! I believe in the power of yoga, and I think that everyone and anyone can benefit from it. I also know that 4.5 million Canadians suffer from arthritis or an autoimmune disease so building awareness and funding research for it are so important.
Pony: Your promotional posters are quite interesting as well. Goths, football players etc. all doing yoga. Can you explain the meaning behind them?
- Courtesy of the Power of Movement
Jess: They’re about breaking the stereotypes that only bendy blonds do yoga. But in fact, anyone can do it!
Pony: This whole movement started with just a phone call. Why do you think it caught on so fast amongst the public?
Jess: There are so many walks, rides and runs as charity events out there – this was one of the first yoga fundraisers I’d heard about. It was definitely unique from the very beginning.
Pony: With over 250 people in the same room doing yoga, what does that feel like compared to a normal class?
Jess: Incredible!!!
Pony: Haha, and where would you like to see the Power of Movement go in the next few years?
Jess: Bigger and bigger; really gathering strength within Canada. There is so much potential for educating the population about arthritis and autoimmune diseases. We are only in our second year nationally and the fourth in Toronto. I would love to see all the Canadian markets reach the same level of intensity as Toronto. I’d also love to see it enter a few key markets in the USA as well.
Courtesy of the Power of Movement
For more information on the Power of Movement or to sign up for the challenge, click here.
XoXo
– The Cowgirls.
This is an AMAZING event. I participate in the Vancouver Mega Session and can only say amazing things about it….and I am not just a crunchy, granola, bendy blonde in Vancouver!!
Great article. I am neither blonde nor female, and I can tell you yoga is great for your mind and body. Power of Movement is a fantastic and important cause. I am participating this year, are you?
It’s wonderful to hear that so many people enjoy the Power of Movement! Yoga has such a positive influence on our lives, and it’s easy enough that people of any age or size can do it. Can’t wait for March 7th!!