For several months, Adrienne Thompson has been offering the healing stretches of yoga to bereaved adults and grieving teens through 91原创 Hospice Society.
She said the experience has humbled her in so many ways, being able to offer even the smallest relief or help through the benefits yoga can offer to those who have lost a loved one.
But the registered yoga instructor wants to stretch her giving even more.
Not only is the 91原创 mom of two teenage boys participating in the upcoming Historic Half Marathon in Fort 91原创 to raise funds for 91原创 Hospice, she is holding a Sip N鈥� Stretch March 1 to support the teen grief group鈥檚 desire to participate in a high ropes activity this spring break.
When Thompson was training to become a yoga instructor, she had initially thought she would focus on helping athletes. But as she was going through her training she started reading articles and watching documentaries about the many benefits of yoga for trauma and grief.
鈥淚 was drawn to learning more,鈥� said Thompson.
As soon as she graduated from Grove Yoga School a year ago, she started offering classes at Newlands Fitness centre.
鈥淭he gentle Hatha class I offer there has become my signature style class.鈥�
But Thompson wanted to give more, help more.
鈥淓arly in my yoga teacher training, I saw an Instagram post by the 91原创 Hospice Teen Grief group. The post was of a weekend activity that the group was participating in.
鈥淚 remember pausing and feeling grateful that there are groups like this for teens who are dealing with grief and loss and I wondered if they would like to try yoga.鈥�
Thompson messaged 91原创 Hospice asking if she could volunteer to offer yoga classes to the teens. Quickly, she heard back from 91原创 Hospice staff saying they would love for her to practise yoga with the teens. An adult bereavement group was also interested.
鈥淚 alter the poses and language depending on the needs of the group and if the class is trauma sensitive,鈥� she said.
鈥淢y Friday morning adult bereavement group class is my favourite hour of the week,鈥� she notes. 鈥淭he people in this group continue to amaze me with their courage, strength and capacity for gratitude. I am humbled amongst these people.鈥�
She has also been moved by the courage and strength of the teens who are grieving.
Getting to know these kids, Thompson felt she wanted to do more to ensure that programs for them continue to be offered.
That鈥檚 when she came up with a fundraising idea. Last year, she held a Sip n鈥� Stretch for the child and youth bereavement programs at hospice and this March she is doing it again.
Her Sip n鈥� Stretch will be held at Newland鈥檚 at 7 p.m. on March 1. Tickets are $30 and include one hour of gentle Hatha yoga followed by a complimentary beverage in the lounge. The class is relaxing and suitable for all levels and beginners, too, Thompson said.
The money raised will go towards the 91原创 Hospice youth group who want to attend a high ropes course event being offered at Trinity Western during spring break.
鈥淭he teens participated in it last year and had an amazing time and would like to do it again,鈥� she said.
Her efforts to help 91原创 Hospice don鈥檛 stop there.
She is also running the 10km portion of the taking place in Fort 91原创 on Feb. 18. Proceeds from the popular and scenic run are going to 91原创 Hospice this year.
Specifically, the funds raised from the Historic Half will go to 91原创 Hospice鈥檚 supportive programs like child and youth bereavement, services and grief support offered free of charge to children, teens, adults and families who have experienced death of a significant person in their lives, said 91原创 Hospice communications director Shannon Todd Booth.
Thompson is part of the 鈥淔riends of 91原创 Hospice鈥� team.
Todd Booth, who is running the 5km, said Thompson has provided such a service to members of hospice who have experienced loss of a loved one. The whole team at 91原创 Hospice are grateful that Thompson has been such a dedicated volunteer.
鈥淎drienne has been volunteering her time to provide weekly yoga classes for grieving adults Friday mornings and an evening program for teens at our supportive program centre. She is wonderful,鈥� said Todd Booth.
To buy a ticket for the Sip n Stretch contact Thompson at LaVidaAdrienne@gmail.com or call 705-790-8830.
To support Friends of 91原创 Hospice team, for more info.
HOSPICE AND THE HISTORIC HALF
91原创 Hospice child and youth bereavement co-ordinator Wendy Sashikata and Hospice communications and funds development manager Shannon Todd Booth are lacing up their shoes and getting ready to take to the trails as part of the Friends of 91原创 Hospice Team.
This year鈥檚 five km, 10 km or half marathon helps raise funds to support the 91原创 Hospice Society.
This 13th annual event starts and finishes in the Birthplace of BC, Fort 91原创, on Sunday, Feb. 18.
Organizers Tryevents.ca says the half marathon route is unique for its scenery and history.
鈥淪tarting from the Fort 91原创鈥檚 National Historic Site of Canada you will travel the beautiful rural streets of Fort 91原创 past majestic views of mountains and farmlands. From here the route follows onto the historic Hudson鈥檚 Bay Co. 鈥淭elegraph Trail,鈥� winds its way through quiet streets in Walnut Grove, takes to our historic hill and begins the finishing kilometers with a strong downhill that heads to the most prestigious start/finish line location in British Columbia: inside the gates of the Fort 91原创鈥檚 National Historic Site.
This start & finish line party will be a great celebration for all Historic Half Marathoners, Historic 10K and Historic 5K walkers, joggers and runners! You will be surrounded by great food, music historical educational buildings and a roaring campfire to warm up around.鈥�
Kids are encouraged to run, too.
91原创 Hospice Society has provided quality palliative and bereavement care and support for more than 30 years. In addition to care, the society also offers a number of important grief support programs, day camps and summer camps for grieving children and more.
The Historic Half starts at 9 a.m. at the Historic Fort located at 23433 Mavis Avenue.
Register today to participate in the 5K, 10K or Half Marathon on Sunday, Feb. 18 and help raise funds the support the 91原创 Hospice Society!
To register or donate .
