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Hope for Hearts

2020 Impact Report

Homehome_admin2021-02-12T13:51:51+00:00

Hope for Hearts

MISSION

Our mission is to help change the life expectancy and the quality of life of children with heart disease and chronic medical conditions by supporting programs that promote an active and healthy lifestyle.

INSPIRATION

“Life is more than a beating heart. Our next challenge is to make sure that our patients will live at their maximum capacity.”
DR. BARBARA CIFRA, FOUNDER

SICKKIDS-ON-BLUE

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

$83,000

RAISED TO DATE

100+

FAMILIES ASSISTED

4500+

SUN SALUTATIONS
FOR SICKKIDS

block-quote-wide

I think it is important to support The Exercise Medicine Program because children like me who are born with heart disease deserve to play, participate in physical activities, and lead a normal life just like other kids our age.”

-Arezo Farah, SickKids Heart Centre Patient

MORE STORIES FROM THE PROGRAM

Thank you to everyone who participated in our first virtual

Hope for Hearts Yogathon this year!

MORE ABOUT SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

WHAT’S NEW ON INSTAGRAM

Join us this Wednesday at noon on our IG Live, as

Join us this Wednesday at noon on our IG Live, as Terry M Chang @terchablue leads us through a meditation.

DELVE INTO GRATITUDE & tap into the power within to turn what we have into enough. This gratitude meditation focuses on expressing gratitude through re-discovering the (people and) experiences you are grateful for in your life. Our wish is for you to carry this after into your every day by being more present.

Terry M Chang is a Toronto-based fitness, yoga & meditation teacher. With 20+ years in corporate media & content, he now balances his freelance assignments and writing with his passion for movement & mindfulness. His philosophy is to move & engage with presence & gratitude. By tapping into the power we have within, we can be more present & grateful, even in stillness. His 275+ hours RYS training is from @downwarddogyoga Toronto @ourmeditationchannel Toronto & YogaBody Barcelona.

"The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence.” Thich Nhat Hanh

#Hope4Hearts #sickkids #sickkidsvsbrokenhearts #exercisemedicine #hearthealth #yogalove #yogalife #yogaforlife #Torontoyoga #yogilife #yogisoftoronto #WellnessWednesday #yogateacher #meditationteacher

Happy #WellnessWednesday! For inspiration on getti

Happy #WellnessWednesday! For inspiration on getting through these crazy times, we spoke with yoga and meditation teacher, Pat Harada Linfoot.

And if you haven’t already, check out her Resting into Stillness class saved on our IG TV!

—

Each day, I practice movement, stillness, and silence. Mostly, I meet myself on the mat (or cushion) and go from there!

Show up. Drop your armor. Open. Move toward balance. Accept what is.

I am inspired by the rich, collaborative process of mentoring—of working together to develop a teacher’s unique voice and fullest expression of potential.

Before sleep, phrases of self-compassion invite us to end each day by creating a bubble of loving kindness. Take this time to get to know yourself better -- end each day laughing at your foibles and eccentricities -- all the things that make you gloriously human.

May I be safe from inner and outer harm.
May I be happy and content.
May I be healthy and strong.
May I live with ease and well-being.
May whatever blocks my heart be dissolved.
May I know joy and freedom.
May I have food, shelter, and good care.
May I be free from animosity and hatred.
May I know peace.
May I be a good friend to myself. (from Ruth King)
Find Pat at @octopusgardenyoga on Mondays at 1pm for Restorative and at 5pm for Meditation and on Tuesdays at 1pm for Yoga Essentials. Reach out for information about mentoring and teacher trainings!

#yogisoftoronto
#Hope4Hearts #sickkids #sickkidsvsbrokenhearts #exercisemedicine #hearthealth #yogalove #yogalife #yogaforlife #Torontoyoga #yogilife #yogisoftoronto

Join us this Wednesday at noon on IG live, as @pat

Join us this Wednesday at noon on IG live, as @patharadalinfoot leads us through a half-hour yoga and meditation.

This class is an essential practice of self-care. We’ll begin with restorative yoga in order to create a bodily expression of rest and relaxation. Then we’ll fully inhabit our own bodies, hearts, and minds with a practice of compassion meditation.

Pat has been teaching yoga and meditation classes, workshops, retreats, and teacher trainings for 24 years. She views the practice of meditation and yoga as an opportunity for physical, psychological, and spiritual inquiry and with compassion, generosity, and humour, she encourages students to maximize their potential.

➡️ If you can’t join us live, we’ll be recording the sessions so you can view it any time you need a break in your day to revive your body and mind!

#Hope4Hearts #sickkids #sickkidsvsbrokenhearts #exercisemedicine #hearthealth #yogalove #yogalife #yogaforlife #Torontoyoga #yogilife #yogisoftoronto #WellnessWednesday

Happy #WellnessWednesday! For inspiration on getti

Happy #WellnessWednesday! For inspiration on getting through these crazy times, we spoke with yoga duo Queenie & Jonathan Phair❤️❤️

And if you haven’t already, check out their Sweat & Refresh class saved on our IG TV!

—

Both of us are seekers interested in physical practice and meditation and the power these practices have to show us deep truths about our lives. We encourage our students to look inward, while remaining present to everything they feel. Even though our classes tend to challenge students both physically and mentally, we recognize that daily practice changes and shifts; we are all constantly finding our own unique union of body and mind.

We have found that it is important for everyone to recognize the important and completely natural ebb and flow of energy in their lives. Notice the days you feel bursting with energy, make space for the days you feel completely drained. Let the practice soothe, reinvigorate, and teach you about your life.

We couldn't do what we do without feeling connected to a larger community and purpose. On the days when we feel more in the valley than on a peak, we remember encouraging words, sweaty classes, and the people we're doing this for. You all get us out of bed! Thank you!

And for some dinner inspiration 😋: A big spinach salad with apple, tomato, avocado, nuts, and Jonathan's easy to make maple vinaigrette (2 parts olive oil, 1 part balsamic vinegar, maple syrup to taste). Then we'll bbq a nice piece of fish to go on top! For us, a healthy meal usually means the emphasis is on creating a super colourful plate!

➡️ We continue to teach both public and private classes online for our community. We believe in offering the practice to as many people as possible, no matter their means. Take free classes with on Instagram and YouTube, support us by signing up for a monthly Zoom class membership on our website!

Find us on:
Instagram - @phairyoga @jonathanphair @queeniephair
YouTube - www.youtube.com/c/phairyoga
Zoom - www.phairyoga.com/online-schedule

#yogisoftoronto
#Hope4Hearts #sickkids #sickkidsvsbrokenhearts #exercisemedicine #hearthealth #yogalove #yogalife #yogaforlife #Torontoyoga #yogilife #yogisoftoronto

Happy #WellnessWednesday! Mark your calendars fo

Happy #WellnessWednesday!

Mark your calendars for next Wednesday’s Sweat + Refresh class with @phairyoga as they take over our Instagram Live at noon!

They’ll start this class with movement that syncs up with the breath to build internal heat, then slow it all down with longer holds in stretchy poses.

If you can’t make it, the class will be recorded so you can watch it later!

#yogisoftoronto
#Hope4Hearts #sickkids #sickkidsvsbrokenhearts #exercisemedicine #hearthealth #yogalove #yogalife #yogaforlife #Torontoyoga #yogilife #yogisoftoronto

Happy #WellnessWednesday! For inspiration on getti

Happy #WellnessWednesday! For inspiration on getting through these crazy times, we spoke with nutritionist and yoga instructor, Lisa McMurtrie from @wellbalancehealth

➡️ICYMI check out her Detox Flow class saved on our IG t.v.!

—

I’m amazed at the resilience of our bodies. My passion has exploded in the ability to read my body's subtle cues. I ask myself often "what do I need right now?" Sometimes the answer that comes up is a gentle yin practice, sometimes I need something powerful and strong, sometimes I need to move and sweat it all out, and sometimes the answer isn't yoga. I would say my practice is about creating balance in my day-to-day living so that I can show up at my full potential.

My number one tip right now is prioritizing time for a digital detox. We’re now on our screens more than we have ever been before, and some signs of excessive exposure can look like lack of concentration, headaches, sleep disturbances, and fatigue. I try to prioritize no screens after 8 pm, and I try to pick one day a month where I do a full digital detox and drop off the map for a bit.

I have this crazy drive to help people feel better, stress less and live their most balanced life. I’m inspired by the stories my students, clients, and peers share with me. Their stories and shared experiences have put me on a mission to build a community of like-minded individuals who genuinely care about bettering their physical and mental wellbeing.

(And, because we love to talk about food) 
Okay, so food is a big deal in our house, and I may know a lot about nutrition, but my fiancé is definitely the better cook. Cooking is an art that I'm still mastering. That being said, the go-to mid-week healthy dinner recipe is usually TACOS🌮 !

➡️ Stay in touch with Lisa:

Right now I am offering private yoga, however, I will be launching my new yoga program called Yoga For Your Gut, which combines digestive healing with food and your yoga practice. Follow my @wellbalancehealth page on IG to stay in the know for when this program opens up for registration!

#yogisoftoronto #torontoyoga
#Hope4Hearts #sickkids #exercisemedicine #hearthealth #hope4hearts

Physical activity in a pandemic: Time for a new de

Physical activity in a pandemic: Time for a new definition!

This past year has made us look at many things in our lives differently. This infographic from the British Journal of Sports Medicine is a great visual for changing how we can think about physical activity. From the traditional definition of "any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that results in energy expenditure” to a more broader and inclusive definition.

➡️A more inclusive definition of physical activity considers the different ways people move, act and perform within culturally specific spaces and contexts, and it’s influenced by interests, emotions, ideas, instructions and relationships

What’s your relationship with physical activity? Has it changed during the past months?

What motivates you to be active?

#Hope4Hearts #sickkids #sickkidsvsbrokenhearts #exercisemedicine #hearthealth #yogalove #yogalife #yogaforlife #Torontoyoga #yogilife #yogisoftoronto

#candle4covid Virgil : Today is 1-year anniversary

#candle4covid Virgil : Today is 1-year anniversary from the declaration of the Covid 19 global pandemic. Let’s not forget the lives that have been lost & the losses we have all experienced, as our lives change in response to the pandemic. Please continue to keep safe & #TogetherWeCanDoIt. Please share this.
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#lestweforget #virgil #rememberance #lightacandle #wearamask #stayhealthy #keepyourfamilyhealthy

Join us this Wednesday at noon on IG live, as Lisa

Join us this Wednesday at noon on IG live, as Lisa McMurtrie @wellbalancehealth leads us through a half-hour Detox Flow.

This is a class that starts low and slow, and builds upon each sequence to heat up your body. This class stimulates the detoxification process that already works within your body.

➡️Stimulate digestive system
➡️Improve circulation
➡️Sweat out toxins through the skin
➡️Stimulate lymphatic and respiratory systems

Expect lots of twisting, stretching and muscular engagement. All levels welcome!

If you can’t join us live, we’ll be recording the sessions so you can view it at any time you need a break in your day to get your body moving!

#Hope4Hearts #sickkids #sickkidsvsbrokenhearts #exercisemedicine #hearthealth #yogalove #yogalife #yogaforlife #Torontoyoga #yogilife #yogisoftoronto #WellnessWednesday

#tbt to our very first Hope for Hearts Yogathon in

#tbt to our very first Hope for Hearts Yogathon in 2017! Were you there?!

We want to say a very special thank you 🙏to everyone who supported us that year and over the years since❤️.

We look forward to the day when we can fill a large gymnasium with laughing yogis again. Until then, we hope you can join us in our virtual Wellness Wednesday Series on the first Wednesday of the month!

Next Wednesday at noon, Lisa McMurtrie from @wellbalancehealth leads us through a lunchtime Yoga Detox!

#yogisoftoronto
#Hope4Hearts #sickkids #sickkidsvsbrokenhearts #exercisemedicine #hearthealth #yogalove #yogalife #yogaforlife #Torontoyoga #yogilife #yogisoftoronto #heartmonth

Happy #WellnessWednesday! For inspiration on getti

Happy #WellnessWednesday! For inspiration on getting through these crazy times, we asked yoga instructor, Robert Young, what keeps him motivated. Read below⬇️.

—

Ask yourself two questions at the end of the day. Did I bring joy? Did I find joy? Make joy a sacred responsibility.

I am motivated by the energy that is generated in a group of focused yogis. We are more than the sum of our parts. Typically the tipping point is a group of 10.

The foundation of my yoga practice was the very physical disciples of gymnastics and aerobics, which lead me immediately into the ashtanga and bikram styles of yoga.
After about a decade of that physical immersion, I trained in kundalini and restorative yoga to become more familiar with the yin side of yoga and a deeper understanding of relaxing, mantras, and meditation. Teaching Yoga Fusion™ allows me to use the best of each style to create a unique journey in every class. 
(And because we love to eat 😋, we asked Robert about his go-to healthy mid-week dinner…)

Since last March, I have been getting Goodfood delivery, so every week is different and healthy; everything from halloumi pesto burgers and New England fish chowder to baked chicken parmesan. 
If you missed it, check out the recording of his IG Live class from our first Wellness Wednesday ❤️Live saved on our IG TV!

➡️Contact Robert through his website and ask about his weekly Zoom class schedule www.bodylanguageto.com

#Hope4Hearts #sickkids #sickkidsvsbrokenhearts #exercisemedicine #hearthealth #yogalove #yogalife #yogaforlife #Torontoyoga #yogilife #yogisoftoronto #heartmonth

Welcome to the 2021 Hope for Hearts ♥️ Yogatho

Welcome to the 2021 Hope for Hearts ♥️ Yogathon x Equinox!

Click on the link in our bio to access this free virtual event that feature six classes led by talented Equinox instructors who will guide you through different styles of yoga practice from some amazing places like Hawaii and California.

We are incredibly proud to have @Equinox and @karinshay4 as our partner once again!

Classes will be available throughout the month of February in celebration of Heart Month, so you can tune in to watch along as your schedule allows!

#Hope4Hearts #sickkids #sickkidsvsbrokenhearts #exercisemedicine #hearthealth #yogalove #yogalife #yogaforlife #Torontoyoga #yogilife #yogisoftoronto #WellnessWednesday #HeartMonth #freeyoga #valentinesday #yogaforacause

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