Vankleek Hill’s favourite yoga instructor
As the morning mist surrenders to sunshine, a captivating community in rural eastern Ontario comes to life.
At a local yoga and fitness studio, Hannah Hamsa helps villagers with their daily awakening.
“Hear the breath, feel the breath,” she says serenely.
The 83-year-old took her first class almost seven decades ago.
“The first lesson, my yoga teacher said this will help you with the hurried, worried world,” she smiled.
Yoga instructor Hannah Hamsa. (Joel Haslam/CTV News Ottawa)
Hannah’s been gifting strength and calm to students here for 35 years. Her classes are a favourite of yogis and yoginis of all ages, like 92-year-old beef farmer, Art Abbey.
“We’re very lucky to have her,” said Abbey.
“You can tell by the number that keep coming out that she’s obviously very popular.”
“She’s a great example of how to keep fit as you get older,” said Hannah’s student and friend, June Elliott.
“She’s very inspirational, very well known in the area and everyone loves Hannah,” she said with a warm smile.
Hannah loves her community.
“Everyone takes care of each other,” says the energized octogenarian with a bounce in her step.
She walks around Vankleek Hill four times a week, hoping her strides inspire others to get moving.
“When you do it a few times, you feel the benefits of it. You start to feel well, and you say, ‘Wow that’s why I feel better!’” she said.
Hannah Hamsa on one of her many walks in the community of Vankleek HIll, Ont. (Joel Haslam/CTV News Ottawa)
While strolling through a Vankleek Hill Park, a yoga student stops Hannah to thank her.
“When I do your class, even once a week, it saves me,” said the student.
“To see a beginner walk through the door of my yoga class, I know in my heart something is going to change for them,” Hannah said grinning.
Hannah’s been active her whole life. As a young woman, she was a long-time, baton-twirling majorette.
“With the RoughRiders. We were called the O’Keefettes,” she said.
As a younger woman, Hannah Hamsa twirled baton with the "O’Keefettes." (Supplied)
Today, Hannah’s spin is fitness. She encourages others to get strong and stay strong.
“I built muscle here (pointing to her bicep) in three weeks when I was eighty-years-old.”
As she pulled up her sleeve, she posed this question.
“Do you want to see my bicep? There it is,” she laughed, while pointing at the bulge.
83-year-old Hannah Hamsa of Vankleek Hill flexes her bicep to show the importance of staying strong. (Joel Haslam/CTV News Ottawa)
Hannah’s mantra is simple. When it comes to improving flexibility, strength, and balance, it’s never too late.
“Just keep doing your best. Your body loves attention, so treat it well.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.