The BIPOC Yogis of Ottawa project isA Labour of Community Love
Born out of deep-seated frustration over racial inequities,
seeking remedial action from yoga & wellness institutions in the Ottawa-Gatineau region,
as part of a deep reflection on the collective complicity to the under-representation of
Black folks, Indigenous Peoples and Persons of Colour (BIPOC) within their staff, instructors and client membership.
The Story:
The BIPOC Yogis of Ottawa project was initiated in 2020 by co-founders Kethy Sosso-Kolle and Stéphane Ippersiel, shortly after the epic Anti-Racism & BlackLivesMatter peaceful protest on June 5th on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, ON.
We are a not-for-profit community-based photo-journaling initiative engaged in raising awareness of the stories of yogis who identify as Black, Indigenous or Persons of Colour (BIPOC) within the National Capital Region.
Our mandate
Elevating the images and lived experiences of the Yogis in the BIPOC community who live in the Ottawa-Gatineau region through our online Photo-Journaling platform;
Raising scholarship funds for Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) certification programs through crowd-funding (www.gofundme.com/f/fund-a-bipoc-yogis-teacher-training) to support aspiring BIPOC yoga teachers living in the Ottawa-Gatineau;
Encouraging yoga and wellness institutions to adopt more inclusive and sustainable practices that will increase the number of BIPOC staff, instructors and clients in their spaces.
Ready to start your journey as a yoga teacher?Apply for the BIPoC Yogis of Ottawa YTT Scholarship!
The funds will be paid directly to YOUR choice of YTT institution.
Yes, ANY institution within Canada, be it virtual or in-person!
Let US support YOU in this amazing new step in your yoga journey!
The rules are simple:
You must be a Black person or an Indigenous Person or a Person of Colour; you must identify as a member of the BIPoC community.
You must currently live in the Ottawa-Gatineau region.
You must be pre-registered in a YTT of your choice at an institution based in Canada.
Funds are reserved for NEW aspiring teachers only;
first (1st) timers only!We will pay the YTT institution directly.
The funds (in $CAD) cannot be withdrawn by the yogi at a later date (non-refundable).