IQALUIT - Nunavut Arctic College and Atii Fitness Centre brought a Halifax yoga teacher north to lead workshops in the community March 15 to 22.

Grade 7 student Michael Uniuksaraq does a lunge position in a yoga class at Aqsarniit Middle School. - Emily Ridlington/NNSL photo

"The college itself was looking at ways to share with the community," said Neil Myers, director of student services.

Once he found out there was a yoga following in Iqaluit, he said he was able to connect with Leanne Whiting, who owns Grow A Lotus Yoga, a company that offers yoga workshops.

During her time in Iqaluit, Whiting visited Joamie School, Nakasuk School and Aqsarniit Middle School teaching the children about the benefits of yoga as physical exercise.

"It has been fantastic and the kids have been phenomenal," said Whiting.

The students had the opportunity to do 30 minutes of yoga with Whiting, who has been teaching Anusara-inspired yoga for the last six years. She also has experience teaching primary school.

She said as a teacher she always tried to incorporate yoga in the classroom. Along with teaching how to do specific poses inspired by the forms of camels, polar bears, butterflies, ravens, lizards, snakes and seals, she adds an element of storytelling.

Whiting said each story has a lesson such as kindness. At the end of the class, Whiting gets the students to discuss the moral of the story.

"The foundation of yoga comes from being a good person and acting out of pure kindness and love," said Whiting.

Grade 7 student Leetia Kopalie at Aqsarniit Middle School had the opportunity to participate in one of the classes Whiting taught. Kopalie said the yoga session taught her to relax. She said this was the first time she had ever tried yoga.

Whiting left behind 15 yoga mats and DVDs at each school she visited, allowing the teachers the opportunity to continue the practice.

In the evenings, Whiting led beginner and advanced yoga classes at the Atii Fitness Centre. Each class was filled to capacity.

During her visit Whiting said she noticed a strong sense of community.

"That is a huge part of yoga practice, seeing the community interact together," she said.

A celebration took place at the old college residence gym on March 21, combining the participants from the two classes and anyone else who was interested. Participants got to take home Whiting's DVD so they can continue their practice. Whiting said she hopes to return and teach again.