Joy Nicholson

I grew curious about yoga in the late 90's while working in the mental health field, and seeking out more self-care- I was overworked and overwhelmed!

The first yoga class I ever attended was in Bridgewater, NS; (can't remember the teachers name, but it made an impact!) while working adults with mental and physical health issues at Bonny Lea Farm. It was a fit and I immediately felt more patience, strength and grounded, which I could carry over to my job. I love the calming effect for on my mind; the lengthening effect on her body and the opening in my heart that comes with the practice of yoga. I continued, over the next decade, as I moved out west, and worked in group homes and would always seek out a local yoga class and regularly attended.

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When I moved back to Truro I began working for CMHA (Canadian Mental Health Association) as well as signed up for my first yoga teacher training. Yoga for Mental Health became my first focus- teaching yoga to adults with mental health issues. I loved seeing her clients gain coping skills while moving beyond the label of their diagnosis. Before long Joy started teaching more in her community, offering months of free classes for experience. She opened up Joyful Yoga Studio in 2006. A life long student, Joy continues to study the ancient art and has been a student of Seane Corn, Shiva Rea, Dr. Timothy McCall, Nischala Joy Devi, Beryl Bender Birch, Todd Norian, Jenny Kierstead, Frank Jude Boccio and Cyndi Lee to name a few.

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Joy is delighted to be sharing and connecting others to health and well-being within her community. Her compassion, creativity and enthusiasm shine throughout her classes. Joy and her studio have been recognized Nova Scotia House of Assembly as Best Young Entrepreneur for 2007, Best Small Business in Colchester in 2007 and Best Small Business of the year in 2011; Most Loved Place in Colchester to learn something new 2016!

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17 years into Joyful Yoga and evolving again~ I now travel throughout our community teaching Chair yoga, Corporate yoga, private yoga and always her original Yoga for Mental Health yoga.

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You can find me in Bible Hill, Brookfield, Stewiacke and Truro sharing this incredible practice.