Recently I (Editor) was driving up York-Durham Line when I noticed an earthy-orange and white ground sign that I hadn’t seen before. It read “Yoga Yurt”. Yoga what? I back-tracked and read it again. Yep, Yoga Yurt. Later I found a website too. I reached out and made contact with Hannah McNamara, the owner, creator, Yoga instructor and Thai massage therapist.
I met with Hannah and her child at the yurt the following week. It was bitter cold. I trod through the snow to the backyard and into the foyer of the yurt. After removing my shoes and entering, I found that it was cozy warm in there. Hannah installs a small wood burning stove in middle of the Yurt every winter. Below is the raw content from the interview; DT-Dave Tuley (editor), HM-Hannah McNamara (Yoga Yurt).
DT: Not to ask the most obvious question, but why yoga in a yurt? Have you experienced this before?
HM: I experienced a Yurt in Hawaii and fell completely in love. There’s something so healing about being in a circle and I knew I had to share it. A cozy, warm, womb like connection to the natural world. The Yurt is made using natural products, hand crafted by a Mongolian Family on a principle of fair trade. Yurts are sustainable leaving no footprint. We have also hand built an eco outhouse/change room made from reclaimed wood on the farm for the Yoga Yurt community. We have natural sunlight that pours in from our beautiful skylight in the summer months, and a rustic, crackling wood-stove to keep us warm throughout the winter.
DT: How does the experience of yoga in a yurt differ from yoga in a gym?
HM: You will be greeted by horses on the farm, we have natural veggie gardens, and a big, beautiful willow tree. We are very community focused, with small, intimate classes. Instead of being in a gym setting, we offer a unique sacred space, spiritual energy with an earthy feel. The smell, the sound, the hand painted reclaimed wood, everything about the Yurt makes it an experience, a place where the mind, body and soul become one.
DT: What is the most fantastic or magical experience that you have had in the yurt?
HM: Well, that’s a very hard question, they are all so magical. There are too many magical moments to just pick one. From our 1st opening summer solstice full moon ceremony, to the unique wisdom filled Yoga classes that the teachers pour their hearts and souls into, and all of our new moon and full moon sacred yoga circles, there’s just so much magic that happens in the Yurt.
DT: How did you find an authentic Yurt from Mongolia?
HM: I would like to say the universe helped bring the Yurt to our growing community. My best friend Karolina and I were dreaming and creating, looking into getting a Yurt, but didn’t have the funds to purchase a new one. A family friend of Karolina (without knowing our dream) just so happened to reach out to her, asking if she wanted their authentic Mongolian Yurt since they no longer needed it! We were so blessed with this magical Yurt, we had to share it with our beautiful community.
DT: Why did you build it in Whitchurch-Stouffville?
HM: I was born and raised in a little community called Lemonville, a small part of Stouffville. I moved to Toronto for about 10 years and did lots of travelling. Thailand, Australia, Hawaii to name a few, where I took many different teacher trainings. When I got back to Canada, I met my partner Jack who grew up in Markham, and we got pregnant with our beautiful daughter Willow. We wanted to raise Willow in a small community with a country feel with like-mind souls and that’s what brought us back home, where our best friends; Karolina, Mikey, and Monty, graciously allowed us to plant our Yoga Yurt seed on their beautiful property.
DT: You have curated a ‘tribe’ of instructors with individual specialties. Are these standard roles within a yoga clinic, or have you consciously curated a certain vibe/objective?
HM: Lucy Knight, Naty Howard, Jennifer To, Bianca Azgin, Sara Kyriakopoulos, Jennifer Gleitman and growing. Whoever is meant to teach in our Sacred space, will find a way here. I did not consciously select the different teachers based on certain guidelines or talents. The universe has a way of connecting loving, compassionate spiritual energy, and the Yurt is no exception. Yoga Yurt is a Sacred space where beings can share their gifts and light on the community and universe. I am so grateful to everyone who has shared their energy with Yoga Yurt. We have a saying at the Yurt; “be the energy you want to attract.” This goes for students and teachers alike, who make our tribe what it is today, and this is just the beginning. Certain energies just vibe, and that’s how we find our tribe.
DT: You said that the birth of your 14 month old daughter, Willow, gave you the courage to launch Yoga Yurt. Were you being totally practical – a chance to provide child care and devote time to Willow, or is there something more?
HM: Before Willow was even a thought, my dream was always to create a Yoga studio, but not just any Yoga studio, something unique and connected with nature. I struggled for many years, finding the courage and confidence to teach what I love and believe in, and to speak my truth. Moving from studio to studio, I found it wasn’t connecting with my heart and my true self. Going through pregnancy and giving birth to Willow, opened up a realization and spark within my soul, to live my dream and make it happen for me and my family. I couldn’t have done it without my friends, family, and community. They push me everyday and encourage me to speak my truth, and of course my beautiful daughter Willow for being there every step of the way. From creating vision boards while she was in my belly, to being at every Yoga class and spreading her love and light on to our growing community. I believe THAT is the true magic behind Yoga Yurt.
DT: On average, how many classes do you offer a week in winter? In Summer?
HM: Since we’ve only been open since June 2017, it’s been an ongoing learning experience to find out what works best for our tribe. Winter months we’ve been offering 8-9 public Yoga classes each week, mornings, evenings and weekends. In summer months we will be adding more classes as our community grows. We believe Yoga is for every-body and Yoga is beneficial for anyone and everyone. You do not need to be flexible or have any experience! We have maybe different styles of Yoga classes: Gentle Yoga with Mindfulness Meditation, Happy Heart Hatha, Restorative Yoga with Thai massage, Restorative Yoga with Reiki, Yin Yang Yoga, Ashtanga/Vinyasa, Candlelight Yin, Mom and baby and kids/teens Yoga. We also offer private Yoga classes for individuals, or groups which has become some of my most memorable experiences. Birthday parties, anniversary’s, celebrations of any kind, and a more personalized private class with family and friends. It’s also a great way for new Yogis to try Yoga if they’re not comfortable in a public setting.
I also offer authentic Thai massage healing sessions in the yurt that cater to the specific needs of the individual. And how can I forget about our magical workshops! Our very popular, New moon and Full moon sacred Yoga circles, guided by the super talented Naty Howard has become a tribe favourite. We have many more workshop ideas brewing as we speak. I also plan on offering a monthly woman’s Goddess circle in the spring, so stay tuned for more details.
DT: In your current mindset, as if the world were static and money was no object, how might Yoga Yurt look – as a business – five years from now? What direction might the business take?
HM: I think of Yoga Yurt as a seed that has been planted, and all the beautiful energy is helping it grow, grow, grow. I hope to own my own property surrounded by trees, large gardens, rescued animals, a natural swim ming pond, a big beautiful fire pit for drumming circles and ceremonies, barns, a chicken coop, an outdoor seasonal kitchen with harvest tables so we can gather and enjoy our bounty, and of course The Mother Yurt. A place where our tribe can come and share their gifts and offerings with the community so we can create a magical sanctuary, to grow, love, learn, and be at peace together, and shine our love and light on the world. A place for my family, and many others to be and live their truth in harmony.
