Brittany Amell

Brittany Amell: Yoga Teacher

Yoga has many gifts to share. As a student first, and now a teacher, I have experienced but a few. I am continually humbled by my yoga practice, as well as students and I only hope to share whatever I can with others. For those who are seeking a little ray of light, yoga can remind us that it has, will always be, and is within us now if we wake up to it. Namaste.

Alana Clark

Alana Clark: Yoga Student

As a sibling to a brother with a serious auto-immune disease, I know first-hand how debilitating they can be. Many of the women in my family are also affected by various forms of arthritis, and because of this I am determined to take care of myself, educate others and join the fight in the battle against these diseases. I started yoga simply as a form of exercise, but it quickly became so much more. What surprised me the most was the flood of changes and learning that came with my new fitness find. Not only did I feel stronger and healthier than ever before, but I suddenly had more insight, patience and awareness. Getting involved in Power of Movement was an easy choice and has allowed me to combine my passions for this amazing event, raise funds to support those I love, and actively participate. I am full of hope and belief that one person can make a difference and that together we can better this world and achieve great things.

Christina D'Alessandro

Christina D'Alessandro: Yoga Student

Being involved in POM has given me a renewed sense of completion and happiness as a young person. By simply getting involved in yoga, I have been able to encourage others to take a more serious look at the debilitating diseases that are affecting the people around us; both young and old, it has challenged me to push my limits in strength and mental toughness while allowing me to give back to the community at large. I strongly believe in the Power of Movement, in the power of young (all) people as activists and awareness generators, and in the power of research which is absolutely vital for treatment and therapy advancement for arthritis and auto immune diseases.

Scott Hislop

Scott Hislop: Yoga Student

My partner Erin started this whole amazing campaign and after seeing what a difference Power of Movement makes for people of all ages, I would do pretty much anything to help. Yoga has helped me manage chronic back pain and also the daily stresses of running a business, so I know how transformational the power of movement can be! Our members at Snap Fitness Burloak will be there on March 7th in Toronto!

Stephanie Hutchinson

Stephanie Hutchinson: Yoga Teacher

After 10 years of mysterious symptoms I was diagnosed over 18 years ago with vasculitis. I started doing yoga and have experienced much relief and truly enjoy many other benefits from regular practice. Besides improving my health and meeting great people that inspire and motivate - both within and outside of the yoga community, I learned about Power of Movement and have felt the power of being involved with such a great cause. I have volunteered to adjust postures during the first two Power of Movement events, and have been inspired to get more involved with spreading the word and increasing awareness. There is help and hope in beating arthritis and autoimmune diseases!

Ashley Keefe

Ashley Keefe: Yoga Teacher

Andrew Keilty

Andrew Keilty: Yoga Teacher

Think it, say it, do it! One of our greatest strengths is our ability to influence positive growth through leadership. By making a personal contribution to our community through the Power of Movement, we can positively impact our health, and inspire others to grow in spirit, mind, and body. A Ghandi said, "Be the change you want to see."

Asmita Kanungo

Asmita Kanungo: Yoga Teacher

My mom has Rheumatoid arthritis for a number of years now and I can see how it is painful to live with. My fear is that myself or my siblings may have it later on in life. I want to beat this for me and for my mom. As a yoga instructor and a daughter of someone who lives with arthritis, it is an easy choice to want to be part of such a great movement.

Natalie Lyle

Natalie Lyle

Getting involved with the Power of Movement is such an enjoyable, positive experience, and watching it grow every year is even better! I can't think of a better way to raise awareness and change perceptions about arthritis & autoimmune diseases.

Jessica McIntyre

Jessica McIntyre: Yoga Teacher

The reasons I got involved with Power of Movement are multi-purposed. As a runner, a swimmer and a yogi I know how much my mobility means to me. As part of the Power of Movement team I know how important it is for people to understand this disease group in order to be diagnosed early and minimize damage. I want to help others understand the importance of medical research. Ultimately, I want to celebrate movement!

Kim McNeil

Kim McNeil: Yoga Teacher

This is my second year involved with Power of Movement. As a yoga instructor, former arthritis research associate, and family member and friend of several young people living with various forms of arthritis, getting involved in the event was an easy choice. I see how this disease affects the wellbeing and quality of life of my loved ones. Doing my part to raise funds for arthritis research is one way I can show my support for them.

Erin Moraghan

Erin Moraghan: Yoga Teacher and Founder of the Power of Movement

Power of Movement was founded on one women's dream, another's passion and a whole lot of community engagement from the Moksha Yoga community and those that support the AARC Foundation. Although Erin is now directing her energy in other directions, without her this event would never have been possible.

Message from Erin:

Yoga has changed my life and through Power of Movement, yoga can change MANY lives in ways I only dreamed possible! This is the true definition of karma yoga at its best. While yoga can be tremendously therapeutic for people with chronic pain, it's incredible that OUR yoga practice can actually change the lives of others, by raising pledges, raising awareness, and helping change the way Canada thinks about arthritis and autoimmune diseases. Let continue making this event grow! Possibilities are endless!

Richelle Morgan

Richelle Morgan: Yoga Teacher

I discovered yoga later on in life at a time when my body and spirit needed it the most. Even though I have a career that creates an environment for healthy choices, at the age of 40 I was feeling the stress of running my own business and the years of teaching fast paced classes. Basically, I was drained. Drained of energy, of inspiration and my body was starting to feel the effects. After the death of my father, everything I was suppressing came to the surface. Aches and pains in my joints and fatigued adrenal glands led me to pursue my yoga teacher training. I had no idea how much yoga would effect my life. How much it would change my outlook and enrich my body. Yoga has helped me redevelop a passion for teaching that the stress of running a business was stripping away. My body feels stronger than it ever has and I feel a sense of balance in my life that I had been previously struggling to attain. Because of this, I wanted the chance to give back to the community and find ways to share my love of yoga with the selflessness of giving back. I developed Yoga for Charity and had my first event 2 weeks ago. I would love to be able to continue this with the Power of Movement. To be able to inspire people to step onto their mats to give back is an amazing thing and something I hope to be able to do for a very long time.

Maggie Pelyvas

Maggie Pelyvas: Yoga Student

Being an ambassador seemed as an intriguing opportunity and It turned out to be a fun learning experience that I am thrilled and honored to take part in. What a wonderful way of being part of a fundraiser where you meet new people, go out of your comfort zone and realize how many people are interested in supporting a wonderful charity!

Sagar Rohailla

Sagar Rohailla: New to Yoga

As a fun and engaging way to get university students involved in raising funds and awareness of important health issues, I decided to organize a dodge ball tournament and yoga class within my residence as a way of bringing people together and getting actively involved. With several fellow students from Victory College within the University of Toronto and the Academic Athletes Residence House, we created 'Dodge For a Cause' charity tournament for the AARC Foundation and held a yoga class with proceeds going to Power of Movement. This double event was not only fun, but it got students to get out and get involved for a good cause, while spreading awareness and encouraging engagement beyond the university, including participation in Power of Movement 2010!

Elana Rudick

Elana Rudick: Yoga Student

Nearly four years ago I was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis - a form of chronic inflammation of the spine and sacroiliac joints. It is a systemic disease that can affect other tissues throughout the body as well as cause inflammation or injury to other joints and organs. Ankylosing Spondylitis (A.S. for short) affects 150,000 to 300,000 Canadians and presents itself typically in people ages 15-30. It can be particularly tough to diagnose since back pain can be seen in many conditions or attributed to athletic injury.

The onset of my A.S. was sudden. I went to bed one night a healthy 23 year old and woke up in pain and unable to walk. The ER doctor told me that I sprained my hip and was likely sleepwalking when the injury occurred. It didn't make sense, but I had to deal with the problem regardless of the cause. After 6 weeks of physiotherapy I was able to walk without crutches. The minute my hip was on the mend, I started having severe pain in my back and neck. I went to numerous physicians and specialists who took multiple blood tests and x-rays. When the results kept coming back negative, I was told that I was a healthy young adult and that the pain would pass. Since the pain moved between my ankles, hips, neck, knees, back and wrists, some family members and friends began to doubt the sincerity of my complaints. I'll admit that it does sound a bit odd to have immobilizing knee pain one day and then be fine the next. I knew something wasn't right and kept persisting until I found myself in a rheumatologist's office where after a year and a half of questions, I received a confirmed answer. I wasn't crazy; I just had this crazy hard to pronounce disease.

Prior to my diagnosis, I had been advised by physicians not to exercise. By the time I received a correct diagnosis and was told how critical exercising would be in the management of my disease, I had already lost a tremendous amount of flexibility, muscle and mobility. For me, the key to taking control of my life again after being hit with this physically and emotionally draining chronic illness was to be active in my own treatment. Yoga is one of the ways that I help myself. Yoga reminds me that I am strong and capable of fighting off the progression of this disease.

I have always been a private person. Many of my friends still don't know that I have A.S. Last year I was asked to speak at the Power of Movement Mega Session in Montreal. Getting up in front of a group of strangers and talking about my personal struggles was a scary thought. Looking around the room, I saw so many kind eyes and smiling faces that I couldn't help but relax. I realized in that moment how important the Power of Movement is. Not only are we spreading awareness about autoimmune diseases and encouraging those living with these conditions to stay mobile, but we're creating a safe community in which those affected by these diseases have a real voice. For a long time I wished that I could turn back the clock- to a time where I didn't wake up every morning feeling like I was hit by a bus, to a time when I didn't have to cancel plans with friends because I couldn't walk, to a time when I didn't have a dozen physicians, pharmacies, and treatment providers' telephone numbers on speed-dial. This disease has changed me and the way I live my life. Permanently. I can't go back to the person I once was and the Power of Movement has helped me accept the role of who I'm supposed to be. It's exhausting to fight daily against my own body, but knowing that I'm not alone in this fight gives me the strength and courage I need to continue on. The Power of Movement has given me my voice back and empowers me to use it.

Emily Shandruk

Emily Shandruk

My name is Emily Shandruk and I have recently joined the Power of Movement team in Toronto. I was the lead on the Power of Movement in Vancouver for the last two years and therefore, I have a deep understanding and appreciation of this event and for all the people that it takes to ensure that it is a success. Along with Kim Scarrow, the Vancouver Moksha Yoga studio owner, we were able to give life to the Power of Movement in Vancouver and help educate people there what it is like to live with arthritis and how yoga is an instrument through which pain and disabilities can often be managed.

Since moving East, I have begun to truly appreciate and understand what the Power of Movement really means and the strength that is behind this event. Strength is not a word that is commonly associated with arthritis and autoimmune diseases and yet my personal experience with the Power of Movement has encompassed nothing but strength and vigor. The strength behind the practice in the room, the influence that participant stories have and the vigor with which people strive for a world free of arthritis and autoimmune conditions is nothing short of amazing and powerful.

As we enter into our fifth year for the event, we hope that you will continue to join us and take part in the Power of Movement. Whether you are able to attend a Mega Session or practice in your own living room, as a part of our virtual practice, we welcome you to join us. We truly believe that anyone can do yoga and it is through the support of you and your communities that this is possible.

See you all on February 27th, 2011!

"Don't forget to breathe! In and out!"
-Grover; Sesame Street Presents: Follow That Bird

Kristen Sutherland

Kristen Sutherland: Yoga Student

As a chiropractor I see arthritis everyday. I believe that staying active through activities like yoga is beneficial for everyone. As an added bonus, I feel fantastic after the 30 Day Challenge!

Kelly Tipler

Kelly Tipler: Yoga Student

Power of Movement has become a really important part of my life and I am blessed to be a part of this incredible event. I have Wegener's Granulomatosis and am yoga student. It is so important to raise awareness and funds for research; I really didn't know anything about these conditions before I was diagnosed. Leading up to Power of Movement I am leading some classes with the students I teach at school, and coordinating classes for my colleagues.

Shareen Woodford

Shareen Woodford: Yoga Teacher

What better way to raise funds to help others become more healthy, than lead a karma yoga class that makes others happy & healthy in the process. WIN WIN! Namaste :)

Tamara Bally

Tamara Bally: Yoga Student

My family has been affected by Lupus, we've been through the ups and downs of it. I am so glad to be apart of the Power of Yoga Movement, it's spreading awareness about auto-immune disease.

Ashley Woods

Ashley Woods: Yoga Student

I want to be involved because yoga has helped me with a life long battle against excema linked to my tendency to stress out and given me the space to love my life. I am so grateful and hope to share it with as many people as I can. I live in the United States in Santa Barbara, CA and I would like to be one of the leaders of the US's Power of Movement if you do it! I am the director of a California non profit and run a Contemporary Art Fair to provide a platform to discuss present day social issues (www.rumbleart.com).