Story

Seva means selfless service in Sanskrit.  Seva is doing something for others without a need for something in return. In the yoga community we talk about this often. Many teachers believe that being a yoga teacher is a form of Seva, I would agree. However, there are many different ways to be of service in the community. You can choose to do something large, like start a non-profit or volunteer to mentor someone as with Big Sisters.  You can do something small, like give a blanket to a homeless person. Just like when a pebble is dropped in a lake and the ripples reach all the way to the shore, all actions have lasting effects. We can’t even begin to understand how […]

Last year, I had the privilege of setting the intention for Big Yoga for Big Sisters. Our theme was that we were better together. And during class, as we joined hands in tree pose, or all toppled over in attempt at a group chair, I was reminded that coming together as a community to participate in a heartfelt cause truly does reveal the best of our human spirit. The world needs more lightworkers. Light comes when we look beyond the limitations of our own needs, wants, and desires, and take a pause to act for a cause greater than our own convenience. We express our light through simple everyday acts, such as taking the time to listen to a friend, […]

“She makes me feel that I matter and that I have an important role to play in her life” Study Buddy Anna and Little Sister Olimpia were matched for nearly four years, until Olimpia graduated out of the Study Buddy program. They were first matched when Olimpia was in grade 9 and as she describes it, a “rebellious teenager.” “I dropped bombs on Anna, testing her to see if she would stick around,” Olimpia said about their first year as a match. Anna stuck it out with the help of her caseworker and the two of them developed a strong bond. Anna says, “At the end of the day, Olimpia had self-perceptions that weren’t true,” said Anna. “Olimpia’s teachers and […]

Heidi’s Story Twelve years ago I was fortunate enough to enter the amazing Big Sisters Mentoring Program. I was only 10 years old and growing up with a single mom. I wanted a Big Sister after seeing my brother’s relationship with his Big Brother, Andrew, as I’d seen how much fun they were having and what an amazing role model Andrew was to him. My mother had seen the success in my brother’s experience and knew what a great opportunity it was for a child to grow up with another adult to talk to and connect with. I remember meeting my Big Sister Shelley for the first time and realizing we shared a love for lip gloss, baking and all […]

In 1997, eleven year old Alana was living with a father struggling with addiction. Her mom had passed away when she was only seven. Although Alana was still young enough to not fully realize the disadvantages she was facing, she was shy and didn’t see many possibilities in her life. That all began to change when she met Gina through Big Sisters that year. “When I became a Big Sister I said to myself, I’m never going to do things for her, but I’m going to teach her what she can do,” says Gina. “All I tried to teach Alana was, if you want it, that’s enough.” Gina started small. On one of their earliest outings, Gina asked Alana where […]