Calm & Connect Women’s Yoga

Calm & Connect Women’s Yoga

The Alberta Chinese Cultural Education Society (ACCES) provides both educational and recreational programs aimed to uphold and exchange the traditional Chinese culture and its language. ACCES Edmonton used their Women in Motion funding to run the Calm & Connect Women’s Yoga Program in 2025. The Calm & Connect Women’s Yoga Program was designed to create a welcoming, low-cost, and community-based space where women, particularly those from newcomer, low-income, and Chinese immigrant family backgrounds, could engage in mindfulness and movement in a supportive, supervised environment. Hosted at St. John XXIII Catholic School, the program ran for 20 weeks and was free of charge to participants, thanks to funding support and volunteer coordination. ACCES partnered with a certified yoga instructor, Sherry Matter of Enterprising Matters, who led gentle, inclusive sessions focused on mental wellness, physical health, and community connection.

To reduce barriers to participation, the program was offered at a familiar, accessible location with convenient timing. In order to reduces barriers for participants, the program, provided all equipment, eliminated registration fees, and promoted the program through community schools, cultural organizations, and word-of-mouth. Child care support and child programs were informally arranged when needed, and the program fostered a welcoming, non-judgmental atmosphere that encouraged first-time participants to try yoga without fear or stigma. The program not only improved participants’ physical and mental well-being but also created space for friendships and community-building among women who may otherwise face isolation. Calm & Connect demonstrates the powerful impact of culturally sensitive, low-barrier wellness programs in creating inclusive, healthy communities.

ACCES Edmonton shares the following learnings from this community focused project:

  1. Start promotion earlier and include multiple languages
  2. Develop a volunteer management plan to support the project
  3. Introduce a simple feedback or check-in form to better tailor the sessions as the program progresses
  4. Explore the possibility of adding a short community gathering time after class, possibly some refreshments. As this was important to the participants