Giving Space for Passion and Purpose with Katie

The Identity Project; a My Why Podcast

TRIGGER WARNING: Today's cast covers topics such as self harm, suicide, postpartum depression and other serious mental health themes and topics. Please reach out for support if you feel trigger by any of the material discussed. Meet Katie and today we share with you more about the De Free Yoga Foundation. The Be Free Yoga Foundation was created in the fall of 2015 by Katie Jolicoeur. Katie had struggled with her mental health throughout her teen years and into early adulthood. Katie moved through a deep depression that lasted most of 2015 and spent a few of those months very suicidal, she leaned heavily on the support of those around her as well as on her yoga practice. After this time Katie realized how inaccessible yoga and meditation really is, and especially difficult to access if you maybe struggling with your mental health, this inspired her to start the Be Free Yoga Foundation (formally known as the Be Free Project). The Be Free Yoga Foundation breaks down many of the barriers that people may face when looking for support for their mental health. We offer our classes alongside organizations who are already supporting those who maybe dealing with various mental health issues or mental illness. Our classes are free of charge for the participant, and they are offered in spaces they are already familiar with, such as their mental health clinic, hospitals, schools, and shelters. The Be Free Yoga Foundation also supplies yoga mats, and compassionate and qualified yoga teachers to run the classes. Since starting with one class in Spruce grove, we have grown now to 6 regular weekly classes that run on a full time basis serving Parkland County, Stony Plain, Spruce Grove, Edmonton and the surrounding area. The Be Free Yoga Foundation also offers, part time programming, providing support for hundreds of people every year. We are proud of the work we do within our community as we help provide access to quality programming and break down the stigma associated with mental illnesss. #befreefromstigma. Be Free Project brings together the power of storytelling, yoga, and meditation to all those affected by mental health. More information on the Foundation and Katie can be found at: https://befreeyogafoundation.com/ (https://befreeyogafoundation.com/) UPCOMING EVENT: Yoga in the Park announcement!!! We are not able to gather in person for our annual Yoga in the Park, but we can’t let our 5 year pass us by. We have decided to offer Yoga in the “Park” via Zoom! Join us Tuesday June 16th, roll your mat out on your deck or lawn or living room and tune in as our founder Katie Jolicoeur guides you through an all levels yoga practice. We are also offering an online vendor market! Over the next 6 weeks we will be sharing local businesses that we love and have been amazing supporters of the Be Free Yoga Foundation. We are so excited to gather with you again, so every Tuesday starting in May leading up to Yoga in the “Park” we will be offering online guided meditation practices to support your mental wellbeing. Follow them on social media @befreeyogafoundation