KARA FOLEY

A sensitive human her entire life, Kara struggled with what she felt vs. what is expected. As an adult she came to know this as being an empath and everything changed. As she studied towards her goals of being a physiotherapist she would be told several times that she needed to “put up walls” , that she was “too approachable” and that this would lead people to tell her more than was necessary for treatment. Throughout her career she has identified this as a strength.

“My clients are complex, humans are complex, pain is complex. Without a full picture of what is going on mentally and emotionally it is very difficult to release and treat chronic and complex pain. We need to investigate the mind/body continuum as a whole in order to truly heal.”

Kara was exposed to yoga relatively early in life, being an athlete and working in a local gym – yoga was a way to slow down and find balance for her more strenuous training. As time went on, and after the first retreat she went on, she began to dive into the philosophy and fall deeper in love with this all encompassing practice. This is evident in her classes and workshops where it is so much more than the physical practice, where emotions may rise and be held in a safe space, where bonds are formed between students and herself from a place of openness and vulnerability. A place where you can come to be fully and unapologetically you.

“To me, yoga is a lifestyle. We have this idea that it’s only what we do on our mats (and maybe that’s where it starts). But yoga is how we fuel our body, it’s how we arrive in relationship, it’s relationship to self, it’s tenderness and fire, it’s learning to be present with everything that may arise and to approach life and ourselves with compassion. It’s a long overdue coming home to the simplicity, beauty, and chaos of life. It’s the practice that teaches us to arrive with our breath and do the best we can with the tools we have.”

MARTIN MALINSKI

Driven by healthy and mindful living, Martin Malinski teaches yoga, meditation, and is known for creating a space from where deeply meaningful and practical talks emerge. Medically considered as a Stage IV Brain Cancer Long Term Survivor, he is currently building the Conscious Cancer course with his wife Kara, in order to awaken and empower those with or without cancer, including their supportive partners.

Born in Poland, and raised in Canada, Martin grew up training martial arts, and self-learning about religions, atheism, and practical philosophy like Stoicism. He often thought about who he was, and sought how to live a practical and meaningful life.

“I did my best to understand and absorb what was presented, while keeping an open mind without letting my brains fall out“

Introduced to yoga in the early 2000’s, it was a decade later when he began to practice regularly. What started as a silent motivation to perfect poses, his cancer journey had changed it into an exploration of what yoga is and can be.

“Yoga deepens my practical life. It calms my mind, even if travelling through challenging times. Lets me observe what is within myself, with no judgement attached. Offers me nourishment, growth, and healing, so I can truly support myself and others. Aids in dissolving the fear of change in my life, even when big decisions are to be made. Gifts me with physical rest, movement, balance, strength, and flexibility. Provides more clarity to my daily living perspective.”

During his physically weak stages, eastern meditation practices had also made their way into his life.

“When my curiosity or others point me to something, I tend to Seek it. Ask it. Hear it. Try it. Shape it. Repeat.”

A few years later, Kara and Martin opened up the Bodhi Wellness Centre for 3 years in Deep River, Ontario. During that time, Martin obtained his yoga certificate and taught classes. Along with Kara, Martin now teaches yoga and meditation locally and online, and plans to offer international retreats once the COVID-19 pandemic has calmed.