About Candace
For nearly 15 years now (started 2009) I have been instructing Yoga and Group Fitness classes . I am passionate about making movement accessible to everybody and Every-Body. Size, shape, age, abilities should be celebrated and not seen as burdens.
I always encourage my participants to listen to their bodies and work at a level they are comfortable with while continuing to push past the barriers that we may have set for ourselves.
After the birth of my children (2 beautiful boys) my somewhat active lifestyle began to fall to the wayside. I tried unsuccessfully to juggle all the (unrealistic) expectation I had set for myself as a wife, mother and woman living in North America. All the things that society and media told me I was supposed to do. The dark cloud looming around me grew, my physical and mental health was suffering.
It was time to make some changes. I began moving, slowly but moving. Soon I was hooked on group classes. The more I moved my body the more energy I had. I loved the feelings of strength and confidence that moving my body gave me. It has been a wonderful journey and I am continually amazed at what my body is capable of. Size does not matter.
I have struggled with my weight, or more specifically struggled with having a healthy body image my whole life. Looking back at pictures of me as a teen I find it hard to dislike the image as strongly as I did back then. The message I had heard, correctly or not, rang loud and clear in my head. I was not thin enough, pretty enough, smart enough or good enough and I continued to find comfort in food.
In 2010 I added Yoga instruction to my resume. Not only did the practice of Yoga complement my weight-training based workouts but once again I began to notice more positive changes in myself, both physically and emotionally. My energy level rose again and I was able to appreciate better what is truly important in life.
Although the journey never ends. Diet culture and media still have their voice in my head, but the voice is no longer as loud as it once was. Now I am stronger. Not only stronger physically but also I am stronger mentally. We are given one body and I make a daily, conscious choice to appreciate it, to feed it with the things that make me happy. Movement, a hug, laughing with my friends and family and yes delicious food, all the things that bring a happy healthy person joy. I now feel as though I am the role model that I want my children to see (imperfect and owning it). I am inspired by anyone who is working to improve their health
and physical and mental well being. I feel truly blessed that I am able to help people as they start or continue on their journey to self love.
You are ENOUGH; You are WORTHY; You are BEAUTIFUL; TAKE UP SPACE and BE SEEN.