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 they may have set.
Like many, 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.
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.
(What I now know is) my nervous system was entering into a state of dysregulation. 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.
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.
2020 was another pivotal point in my journey. The forced lock downs due to covid 19 for many was devastating, for me it was an opportunity for self reflection. I became very aware of my reaction to the energy around me, realizing that my busy go go go attitude was both fueling me and also draining me at the same time. More foreshadowing into understanding about a dysregulated nervous system. I certified in Thai Reflexology and Foot Massage and continued to educate myself. Finding, or better said, creating BALANCE became even more important to my journey.
Enter perimenopause and menopause. Yet more imbalances we have to face. I realized there is a real lack of information (and support) with regards to womens health. Not being someone to just sit back and “accept it” I have spent the best part of the last few years researching, working on and creating programs to help people (and myself) find balance; to feel safe and connected in our bodies.
This journey is ongoing. Everyday pressures, world politics and of course diet culture and media still have their voice in my head (millions of dollars are spent yearly to ensure that), 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 will continue to educate myself (and others) leading by example, putting myself out there, advocating for myself and others. Becoming the role model I want my children to see (imperfect and owning it). I am inspired by anyone who is working to improve their health, and I am here to help in anyway I can.
You are ENOUGH; You are WORTHY; You are BEAUTIFUL; TAKE UP SPACE and BE SEEN.
