Faezeh Asadi came to Canada from Iran as a chemical engineer, but that career wasn’t as fulfilling as she had hoped.
Now, as a yoga teacher for Halton Multicultural Council (HMC) Connections, Asadi says she has found her calling.
“We call it dharma,” Asadi says. “Something you find in your life’s journey to help others.”
Asadi started working with HMC Connections in 2020, offering virtual yoga classes to people during the pandemic lockdown.
The yoga classes have since moved to in person, where Asadi says she can help people who are new to Canada relieve some stress.
“A lot of participants don’t speak English, but yoga doesn’t need a language,” Asadi says. “I can help people through music, through body language. And if I know someone is from a certain country, I’ll look for music from their country to play during the classes.”
In addition to her work with HMC, Asadi runs Yara Yoga which operates all over Halton. She adapts for the audience as well, offering classes in seniors' residences, using chairs for yoga positions so the participants have no need to get up and down off the floor. Her programs are offered in English, French, and Farsi.
Asadi was recognized at Burlington MP Karina Gould’s Volunteer Appreciation Awards on May 8 for her work with HMC Connections, an organization founded in 1978 to create a community for newcomers and refugees.
Asadi was nominated for the award by a colleague at HMC Connections.
“To be recognized that night, it really motivated me a lot,” Asadi says. “Knowing that my colleagues and the people I work with see me, and see all the effort I put into this field was so great and I am so grateful for that.”
Newcomers to Canada from all over the world, including a few refugees from Ukraine, have joined in on Asadi’s yoga classes.
Regina Goze, community connections manager at HMC Connections, nominated Asadi for the volunteering award.
“She has this energy and compassion for newcomers to Canada,” Regina Goze, community connections manager at HMC Connections says. “I believe it actually attracts new people to the program. She can relate to those starting a new life in Canada.”
Getting a yoga class started during the pandemic was difficult, Goze says. People focused on getting through work, school, and taking care of their families, not necessarily getting time in for themselves.
It was even a challenge to get some to turn their webcams on at the start, Leila Takei, community connections specialist at HMC Connections says.
“Faezeh was wonderful, especially at the start of the program during COVID.” Takei says. “She adapted all of our wellness programs to better suit the online format.”
HMC Connections operates throughout Halton as a place for new Canadians and refugees to better understand how to integrate into a welcoming and inclusive community. HMC offers classes like Asadi’s yoga, but also helps with more technical things such as getting a health card or social insurance number and finding information on apartment rentals and affordable housing.
