Poking the Yogi Bear: What is Vulnerability?

An illustration of a cartoon bear doing yoga with a tiny devil ready to poke it with a spear.

Yoga is often the first thing recommended as a form of exercise that can help someone manage anxiety and depression. Yoga brings an awareness to the body and requires focus that feels calming. Some types of yoga do not bring the heart rate up to a degree that can feel too intense for people working…

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Time to Get Skinny: How Words Connect Us

If any of you know me, you know I would NEVER say that it’s “time to get skinny” as a way to motivate you to do your exercises. But, I did indeed use this phrase with a group of Somali women when I was hired to teach a group fitness class for the teachers at…

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4 Bad B Life Lessons with Cynthia Roulston

Jamaidian Kettlebell Lady: Bad B Cynthia Roulston Our Jamaican Jerk kettlebell workshop was a real success on September the 25th with Bad B, Cynthia Roulston. It’s not often I give people the title of Bad B! I even introduce Cynthia as Bad B to new members at the gym – she’s someone who has walked…

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A Brand Change for Sister Fit

By Fatima Lee Garsi Since its inception, Sister Fit has been a space open and affirming of diverse identities. Recently, you may have noticed that we have made a deliberate shift in our branding and services to more clearly and consciously include LGBTQ+ people and diverse women, in addition to Muslim women. Some Muslims have…

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Mainstream Fitness – Creating a Culture of Jerks

By Fatima Lee Garsi In the last ten years, I’ve ebbed and flowed through the fitness world as a certified personal trainer. Actually, it’s felt more like a battle. Many, many battles. I’ve worked for Goodlife Fitness, LA Fitness, boutique style gyms, a private women’s only studio, a physio/massage clinic, my own studio in Kitchener,…

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