Vania Chopra

My Certifications: 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training, Can-Fit-Pro Fitness Instructor Specialist

Other Certifications: Dance fitness instructor. Trained in various yoga styles including Yin, Power Yoga, Viniyoga, Vinyasa Flow, and Chair. Yoga Nidra and mindfulness-based meditation. Master’s candidate in Counselling Psychotherapy

My Teaching Philosophy: My approach to Yoga is one that embodies self-compassion, resilience, and inner strength. I believe that moving our bodies—in any way we can, regardless of limitations—offers us a doorway to wisdom and healing.

My Daily Rituals: Putting the day to rest every night before bed is so important to me. This includes a cup of herbal tea, screens off, and writing down any mental clutter or the next day’s to-do list. Standing balance poses are part of my daily practice and the one thing I won’t miss on days when I cannot fit in a whole practice. To me, balance poses cultivate a sense of equanimity by challenging me to be patient, curious, strong, accepting, focused and fully present.

What are you most proud of?

I have always embraced the idea that I am a work-in- progress, and this has given me so many growth opportunities it is hard to list them. If I had to choose what I am most proud of, it would be becoming a teacher in the fitness industry.  It changed every aspect of my life for the better and has allowed me to invite positive change into others’ lives too.

What RFR cause is closest to your heart and why?

As I embark on a career path in the helping profession, what is near to my heart is RFR’s focus on Mental Health Rehabilitation. Under-funding in our system means that there are people in need of psychological supports right now who are not receiving them. In these trying times, the importance of RFR’s work to provide access to these services across communities cannot be overstated. 

What legacy of change do you hope to inspire in the world?

I hope to be remembered as someone who created opportunities for people to find their innate resources to heal themselves and to thrive.