btvancouver

As many of you know, I embarked on a month of wellness with a challenge to do 30 classes of Yoga and Pilates in 35 Days.  Exhale Studio in Yaletown  decided to add a little extra motivation by adding a donation component that would help the BC Cancer Foundation.

I finished my 30th class on Saturday, July 24. My experience was better than I could have hoped for – I thought I would share a few thoughts about the instructors and how they brought out the best in me.

Rachel (owner) – Without this challenge and the charity tie in, I wouldn’t have done it, and I do believe a part of my life has been improved because of the opportunity.

 Rick - He helped me do the best I could do (being about as flexible as a piece of wood) and honour what my body was capable of (OK, what this means is he didn’t laugh at me).  He also is a musician and the other day he played guitar what we were in Savasana (corpse pose). Check him out at his website

Kate – did a class that focused on shoulders that makes me feel really strong lowering down from plank pose (Chaturanga Dandasana). Her attention to form with her Smart Yoga has changed the way I walk. I have never had good posture but her classes make me conscious of it and I am trying.

Alex- Best of both Pilates and Yoga with her fusion class. She just has this energy about her. She does know how to kick it in to high gear and my abs are thankful.

Jolene- LOVE her. She has an air of acceptance of all that surrounds her and it is contageous. My favourite poses that she has taught me are “waterfall” and “tree” and my favourite phrase from her is ” close your eyes- there’s nothing to see”

What did I learn? Being more flexible doesn’t make you a better person, but committing time to yourself and honouring and being grateful for all that you CAN do, does.

Namaste,

Dawn

I met Michael Schratter a few years ago. I attend social and Charity events on behalf of the station and see Michael, (a Social Columnist for 24Hours) hard at work connecting his readers with the whose who of Vancouver, where they were and what they were doing. Even though he is busy most nights of the week – that is only his part time gig. Many of his readers may not know he is School Teacher. What almost all of us didn’t know is that  he suffers from Mental Illness. I found out only a week ago.

The stigma around mental illness is such that you don’t want to share if you suffer from it (or have family who does- as I do). Terms like Bi-Polar and Manic make people uncomfortable and even fearful. Michael wants us rid us of those misconceptions that is literally killing our youth. I mean look at him- he is a successful, social, functioning member of society!

Beginning in August, Michael is going to circumnavigate the Planet on his Bike. 40,000km, 6 Continents and 30 countries. He’s taking a year off work and covering his own expenses so that every penny can go to the Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division.

“It’s not just a bike – It’s the gears of change to help stop the stigma”

For more information on Michael and his adventure, to read his blog as he travels, to share your own stories of mental illness and to donate, please click  here.

Safe travels Michael – we all wish you the best,

Dawn

Might seem a little early to be telling you about a BC Lions Game happening in August – but you’ll want to get on this one quickly- a great well to help the Make a Wish Foundation and cheer on our BC Lions!

Wishes can come true with your help!

Dawn

Rewind  2 weeks,  I didn’t really care about soccer. Did the World Cup awaken the interest – yes! 

Having to report on it for Breakfast Television meant I had to do a little homework each night (maybe I can cover sports now on Sportsnet -kidding) but the real hype of World Cup for me was the fact that I got to watch it most mornings with our BT Viewers!

In case you missed  it, enjoy reminiscing about our coverage of World Cup the Breakfast Television way!

It all started with a visit to the Forum with Mexico and Uruguay! I even ran into a couple of superheros

Next, I went to Caffe Abbruzzo on Commercial Drive with Italy vs Slovakia, so many Italian fans- and the best tiramisu I have EVER had!

What?!?! did you say something? Yes, I do believe I suffered a bit of hearing loss at the Libra Room on Commercial as the Brazilians took on Portugal- WILD!

Slovakian fans were a bit more subdued in the game against the Netherlands – but Danube Restaurant in Burnaby treated us to some Slovakian Chow!

And how can we forget the Japan vs Paraguay game at Cafe Barcelona on Granville! Down to a shootout!

So yes, I really enjoyed covering World Cup the BT way, but it was not the sport that I enjoyed so much, as showing the enthusiasm of our  BT Fans!

Please check out my FACEBOOK PAGE for more photos of all of you in the ON LOCATION Album!

GOOOOAAAALLLLL!

Dawn

Great Story  in the Province the other day about a lady who LOVES the vuvuzela so much, she’s selling them on Commercial Drive on weekends- and she’s donating $1 from each sale going to BC Children\’s Hospital.

Lynn Jan - the Vuvuzela Lady!

Lynn  is selling them for $10 each and if you can’t make it to Commercial Drive – you can order them by email at vuvuzelalady@yahoo.com

Enjoy the Buzz of World Cup!!

Dawn

Olympic ceremonies choreographer wants you for a 1,000-troupe flash mob dance for Canada Day

 Marlise McCormick, the Associate Director of Choreography for the Vancouver Olympic Games opening and closing ceremonies, is putting out the call today for British Columbians to sign up and perform a 1000-troupe flash mob dance for the Canada Day ceremonies in Langley. The “Keep the Pride Alive” dance, inspired by the spirit and national pride of the 2010 Winter Games, will be set to an original song by award-winning songwriters Bob Buckley and Brian Gibson.

The  flash mob dance is an open invitation to all energetic British Columbians (15 years and up). No dance experience or skill is necessary.

 “We want to reignite the passion and euphoric national pride we all felt during the Olympics,” said Martini. “We want to keep the pride alive with a spectacular performance of 1,000 British Columbians moving to an original song we commissioned celebrating Canada’s birthday.”

Songwriters Bob Buckley and Brian Gibson composed the new song “Keep the Pride Alive” and in French, “Une Fierté à Conserver,” which will be performed, along with the dance routine, three times during the Langley Canada Day Celebrations at McLeod Park, Canada’s largest two day celebration.

 Rehearsals start Wednesday, June 23^rd or Friday, June 25^th.

 All registered dancers are entered to win a trip for two anywhere Aeroplan Rewards flies.

British Columbians can sign up  here for the flash mob dance !

Good Luck!

Dawn

I’m fundraising in support of the BC Cancer Foundation. Join me in supporting a wonderful cause. Please donate to support breakthrough research and compassionate care through the BC Cancer Foundation.

 BC Cancer Foundation is provides screening, prevention and early detection programs, diagnosis and treatment services, supportive care, rehabilitation, palliative care, research and education thoughout British Columbia.

 The goal – a vision…a world free from cancer. Providing cancer care and research for all of B.C.

 At Exhale Studio ( http://www.exhalestudio.com ), I am aiming to do 30 Classes in 35 Days “Exhale Challenge” to a better self! To feel better physically, mentally and emotionally by joining the “Exhale Challenge”, a commitment to myself to attend 30 yoga, pilates & dance classes in 35 days. This is a great way to strengthen the body, unburden the mind, and begin a daily commitment to myself.

 I decided to add extra motivation, intention and purpose to the “Exhale Challenge” as an opportunity to raise money for the BC Cancer Foundation.

 I would love your support to help me accomplish my goal of completing the challenge, and helping raise money for the BC Cancer Foundation.

 If you wish to make a secure online donation to BC Cancer Foundation, please click here

Whatever you can give will be appreciated, and everything helps. Thank you in advance for your generosity and support.

 Please know that you are making a difference in the lives of people touched by cancer.

 If you wish to join the free with membership “exhale challenge” to a better self and help raise money at the same time for cancer research, simply check out http://www.exhalestudio.com or email info@exhalestudio.com for more information.

Sun Salutations and Smiles,

Dawn

On Wednesday, June 2nd, Delta employees will set up at three of the Lower Mainland’s busiest commuter stations during the morning rush to provide coffee and muffins to commuters in exchange for a donation to a local charity. 

Vancouver’s City Centre Station will go green for one of Vancouver ’s top outdoor wonders by raising money for the Stanley Park Ecology Society. The Metrotown station will be all about building homes for families in need to support Habitat for Humanity while Richmond ’s Brighouse Station focuses on meals for the Richmond Food Bank.

 To further support the green commute, employees at the Vancouver City Centre Station will also provide bananas for downtown cyclists to support BC Bike to Work Week.

The tour will support Delta’s goal of raising $1 million and donating 10,000 volunteer hours to local charities from coast to coast throughout 2010.

 When:              June 2nd from 6:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

 Where:               Vancouver City Centre Station-southwest corner of Georgia and Granville St . 

Where:            Metrotown Station- Central Blvd at Metrotown Mall on the sidewalk at the base of the station

 Where:       RichmondBrighouse Station-at station entrance on #3 Road across from Richmond Centre Mall.

Way to go Delta Hotels! Thanks for supporting community programs and volunteering your time!

Dawn

To raise money for local Food Bank charities, Tanya & Jeff Harrison of Veridamo Photography are looking for children in the Metro Vancouver area to photograph for the second edition of our fine art coffee table book. The 2009 edition was a fantastic success and we thank everyone who allowed us the opportunity to capture the unique stories of so many children.

To capture that unique story of your own child for this year’s edition is a $100 donation to one of two food bank programs that provide basic and nutritious food to babies and children.

For your donation you will receive a professional portrait session of your child at a location in and around Metro Vancouver. Each child photographed will have a stunning image published in the book, with copies available for purchase at the end of the year.

If you have more than one child, each additional child is only a $25 donation to the same food bank program.

To Participate, check out  Kids of Vancouver

Smile, Say Cheese, and help feed those in need!

Dawn

Love food, drink and art? Come to Cork, Canvass and Cuisine at Richmond Centre this Saturday (June 5) and support the Richmond Hospital Foundation.

Enjoy an exquisite evening sipping over 100 outstanding wines, nibbling on tantalizing hors d’oeuvres, buying outstanding original art including those painted by Jeff Burgess  and bidding on silent auction items.

New this year is a 90 minute guided scotch tasting. Only 80 guests will be seated classroom style and instructed by scotch connoisseur, Andrew Starritt of Cask Strength. The night will be filled with incredible flavours, audience interaction and exclusively selected drams.

For more information or for tickets, click here.

I will be emceeing this event, it’s always a blast and all supporting the Richmond Hospital Foundation,

Dawn