Jade Wellness, located at 677 Queen Street East, is the focus of this week’s SooToday Mid-Week Mugging.
Shirling Kao, the locally owned and operated wellness centre’s owner/director, chatted with us in exchange for a pair of nifty SooToday coffee mugs.
“‘Wellness’ encompasses mind and body, not just your muscles and how you look, and ‘Jade’ means this is a space where we polish off the rougher, outer edge of who we are and find an inward precious stone, the qualities within us, so those two words explain pretty much who we are,” Kao said.
“Yoga is a way of movement that brings together your mind and body so you feel wholesome, peaceful, centred and grounded after you’re done. You use the class time to take a deep breath. Some men like to mow the lawn and not worry about anything else, or some ladies just like to take a long bath. It’s the same relaxation through yoga, only its through movement and meditation,” Kao said.
The Jade Wellness program includes weekly yoga and pilates classes of different levels and styles.
Jade Wellness classes are small, from 10 to 15 people, giving customers space to relax.
“We have something for everyone here, including seniors, people recovering from injuries, classes for young and fit people who want to work up a sweat, kids yoga…its for all ages, not just a certain body type or age or gender,” Kao said.
Jade Wellness has been in its current location at 677 Queen St. E. since 2010.
Previously, the business was a one room space on the upper floor at 740 Queen St. E.
The front part of the establishment, facing Queen Street, sells active wear, locally made jewellery and soaps, yoga-related books, as well as herbal tea.
The building includes a very pleasant waiting area outside the two yoga classrooms, with massage facilities downstairs.
“The space itself sets us apart,” Kao said.
“I think all of our classes are tied in with mindfulness and wellness, it's the spirit of all we do here, as compared to other places where you may go to get strong physically (such as a gym).”
Including Kao, there are four employees at Jade Wellness, along with several certified yoga and pilates instructors, a registered massage therapist, Reiki practitioner and others.
Jade Wellness is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in the summer months, and, beginning in the fall, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday (closed Sundays).
Anyone wanting more information about Jade Wellness programs may call (705) 257-7707 or check out the business online.