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
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
Tropical fish stolen from Beachburg, Ont. restaurant found and returned
Ontario Provincial Police have landed a suspect following a fishy theft in Beachburg, Ont.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.