Mental Health Month

One in two Canadians have, or have had, a mental illness by the time they reach 40 years of age. Perhaps that one in two is the person on the mat next to you. Perhaps that person is you.

Approximately 6.7 million people in Canada struggle with their mental health. According to CAMH, one in two Canadians has or has had a mental illness by the time they reach 40 years of age. These numbers are alarming, and they are an important reminder that we are not alone.

We have multiple layers and stories that make us who we are. In various ways, at different life stages, members of the SAOR team have experienced challenges that affected our mental health. A shared connection to movement is one of many tools we practice to help us feel grounded and centred. We believe in the power of community as a place to share our stories openly and without judgment, allowing us to feel seen, heard and held.

We hope that by continuing to create a safe space at SAOR for open dialogue about mental health, we can help reduce the stigma that stands in the way of seeking support. 

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. To elevate this important conversation, we will offer a variety of ways to come together as a community. We will challenge you to move and nourish more, offer free informative workshops with trained professionals, and raise funds for a local organization working in the mental wellness field. 

Join us as we commit to making choices that improve our mental health through these vitality pillars.

  1. Movement: Research shows that movement is an effective antidepressant. We challenge you to move your body each day to feel good. It can be with us in the studio or on your own. High-intensity or slow, mindful movement.  All modes of movement count.

  2. Nutrition: Sugar and processed foods can lead to inflammation throughout the body and brain, which may contribute to mood disorders, including anxiety and depression. By joining us, you’ll receive a free 30-day Nourish program designed to help you feel great.

  3. Connection: We understand that vulnerability is the bridge to connection. We encourage you to share your mental health story by writing a ‘love note postcard’ for our bulletin board or share your story online using the hashtags #MyStory and #MentalHealthWeek.

  4. Educate: Knowledge is power, and we want to expose you to incredible mental health resources in our community. We will be offering 5 FREE workshops during May. Join us for one or many of these insightful and healing events.

Fundraising Events: We will be hosting two fundraising events in May to support a local shelter doing incredible work to support women and youth to overcome mental health obstacles. All proceeds from this event will be going to Yorktown Family Services.

Sign up for our Mental Health Challenge for FREE today, and join us as we make choices all month long that help us feel better and improve our mental health.