The trek across northern Spain had been exhausting. My cousin Lara and I were both carrying backpacks that weighed almost as much as we did. As we stumbled into yet another hot and dusty village along the Camino de Santiago, I decided enough was enough.
As soon as we arrived at the hostel, I unpacked my backpack and stuffed half of its contents into cardboard boxes. I mailed the boxes home to myself in Vancouver, where I was working as a high school teacher. Strangely, those boxes never arrived, and were never to be seen again.
In so many ways, the moment when I mailed home my excess baggage marked a turning point in my life journey. I’d started the pilgrimage along the Camino on the threshold of my 30s. A decade out of university, I’d overcome an eating disorder and established myself in a teaching career. I had much to be proud of—but I felt unfulfilled and empty inside, as if I were ill-fitted for my life instead of living the life I was meant to live.
After completing the Camino, I felt compelled to travel to India, where I discovered the transformational power of yoga. In India, I learned ancient practices that enabled me to shed more baggage: low self-esteem, addiction to impossible levels of perfection, and a trail of unhealthy romantic relationships. In its place, I found physical health, the joy of connecting with my true essence, and an invigorating sense of purpose.
I went to India as one who dabbles in yoga. I returned from India knowing that teaching yoga and meditation was my soul’s calling.
Shortly after I arrived back in Canada, I met my husband, Blair Abbass, an educator, mindfulness instructor and therapist. Together, we turned our passion for health and healing into an award-winning business of yoga studios and began writing yoga and mindfulness programs for school teachers and their students.
After 20 years of continuous dedication to our mission to help people Awaken the Extraordinary within, here are some highlights of my journey:
Received certification in multiple styles of Yoga, Yoga Therapy, Ayurveda, Qi Gong, Medical Qi Gong, Mindfulness and Trauma-informed practices.
Studied directly with top leaders such as Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, Shiva Rea, Michael Lee, Deepak Chopra, Jack Kornfield, Robert Peng, Bo Forbes and more.
Certified over a thousand people in our 200-hour yoga teacher training program, Awakenings.
Started the Yoga in Schools movement, which is being taught in schools throughout North America.
Authored curriculum for 10 Yoga in Schools programs for the NS Department of Education and school boards, one of which is the Yoga Grade 11 Phys. Ed elective, being taught in high schools across Canada.
Collaborated with the First Nations School Boards in Atlantic Canada to bring Mindfulness in Schools and Yoga in Schools into their classrooms, making them the first Indigenous board to incorporate such programs into their educational experience.
Designed a ground-breaking empowerment program called Girl on Fire. This 12-week program builds confidence and resilience in teenage girls, with over 250 facilitators Canada wide.
Received the National RBC Women of Influence Award and the Progressive Women of Excellence Award for the development of Yoga in Schools.
Founded Breathing Space Yoga Studios, a vibrant system of licensed studios that received awards from the Chamber of Commerce and national recognition from CEED for its breadth of service.
