In an age where self care often takes a backseat to caring for others, Dawn Condon's Connected Living Yoga studio is offering a different perspective on wellness – one that shows how yoga is a critical part of holistic well-being, positively affecting every aspect of life on and off the mat.
For middle aged persons stuck in the trials of the sandwich generation, seniors looking for ways to move their body safely, and athletes looking to stay mobile for their sport, yoga can have a huge impact.
"Right now, middle age is just so heightened with angst and stress," explains Condon, who has spent over three decades in the wellness space. "At middle age your kids are in university, your parents are aging, you are working and you are exhausted. To find the space where you can get time to yourself – this is it."
Condon's approach might come as a surprise. Her philosophy challenges common misconceptions about what yoga should be.
"I've spent a lot of time watching people struggle thinking that what they need to do is touch their toes," she says with a laugh.
"Nobody in this room cares if you can touch your toes, nobody outside this space cares if you can touch your toes. People who are in your family don't care if you can touch your toes! It’s not about that! Being inflexible has no bearing on one’s ability to reap the many mind/body benefits of yoga.”
Condon's perspective comes from personal experience. During a particularly challenging period in her life, marked by hardship and overwhelming anxiety, she discovered something unexpected on her yoga mat – moments of profound quiet that would change her approach to both practice and teaching.
"When my life started to unravel, my body was rebelling – inflamed, injured, everything was breaking down," she recalls. "I stepped on the yoga mat once again to do the poses and make sure that I was doing them well. When I stopped for a second, I realized there was some quiet there – in the room and in my mind.”
This is why Condon describes yoga as an essential daily practice, one that provides those very necessary moments of stillness for the body and brain while also providing the movements that help promote healing.
The studio, which Condon describes as her "32-year overnight success story," was built with accessibility in mind. "This space has been like a godsend," she says. "It's a beautiful little community. Everybody who comes to the space tells me there's just no drama. We all feel like we're part of the community."
The space welcomes everyone, including those with disabilities (including blindness), creating an environment where all can practice comfortably.
"It's something you do for your whole life," Condon emphasizes. "It's part of that philosophy – yoga as part of your life. Unlike saying, 'I'm going to take up jogging because I know jogging is good for me.' Yoga becomes something you do just like you would brush your teeth."
Connected Living’s influence extends far beyond its studio walls. The organization actively supports numerous local charities, including the Elgin St Mission, Sudbury Women's Centre, Angels in Pink, and Maison McCollough Hospice. Recent events have included hosting a Masquerade Ball for the Pregnancy Care Centre and Infant Food Bank, and a New Year's Eve gala for the Polish Combatants Association. Condon herself participates annually in Easter Seals Sudbury Dancing with the Stars, embodying the studio's commitment to community engagement.
"The most profound relationship that you will have is the one you have with yourself," Condon reflects. "We are all, at the very base, wanting to be heard, loved, and seen. The world changes, one person at a time, and your world can change with the practice of yoga.”
For those interested in beginning their yoga journey, Connected Living Yoga offers a variety of classes suitable for all experience levels. More information can be found here.