Yoga brings significant benefits to those who are physically or mentally vulnerable.
May is a breast cancer fighter. Since receiving chemotherapy, she suffers from physical discomfort and fatigue.
Ellie is 7 years old and comes from an underprivileged family. She has been diagnosed with an attention deficit disorder. She has trouble communicating with her parents and their relationship has deteriorated.
Sri came to Hong Kong to work as a foreign domestic helper. Sadly her employer soon terminated her when she sustained an injury while carrying out her duties, and she is now living at a women's shelter. She is constantly stressed and anxious about her future.
Wellness is not accessible to all members of Hong Kong society.
The truth is that people from many walks of life in Hong Kong are unable to access yoga studios or private classes, even though they can particularly benefit from it. For example:
May needs extra gentle yoga classes that take special care of her upper body and her mastectomy surgical scars, and prevent numbness in her arms and hands.
Ellie would struggle to follow instructions in many kids classes. Also her family cannot afford a membership at a yoga studio.
Sri is not familiar with Hong Kong and has difficulty communicating with others. She is also unemployed and unable to pay for yoga classes.
Pause Wellness Community Outreach Project
In 2019, Pause Wellness in South Lantau created a non-profit project ("Pause for a Cause") that provides tailor-made yoga and Pilates classes to vulnerable communities in Hong Kong. As it is an independently registered, non-profit entity, our running costs are funded entirely by third party donations.
Currently we run weekly classes to cancer fighters, foreign domestic helpers, senior citizens, children from low-income families, young people with special physical or educational needs, their parents and carers.
May has been a regular participant in our classes for Maggie's Cancer Care Centre. She says that "unlike the yoga classes offered in fitness centres, teachers at Pause spell out every movement, meditation and breathing technique, which helps me connect my mind, body and spirit during the practice."
Ellie has improved her focus through our kids yoga classes for Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children. Supported by a social worker, our teacher Cammie uses storytelling, music and craft to hold Ellie's attention. According to her social worker, "the classes not only helped Ellie develop her interest in yoga, they also strengthened her relationship with her parents. Practising yoga has become a platform for Ellie and her mum to communicate".
Sri attends the weekly yoga class we provide to Bethune House Migrant Women's Refuge. She tells us the yoga sessions led by our teacher June help her manage anxiety and clear her mind, and she in turn sleeps better.
In four years our passionate teaching team has taught around 1000 hours of yoga and Pilates to over 15 charities in Hong Kong. Our beneficiaries range from age 3 to 80, and the reasons they would not attend studio classes include income, age, disability and medical history. Many of our beneficiaries step on the mat for the first time with us, and return week after week.
For more information on our mission and activities, please see our webpage https://www.pause.hk/for-a-cause or our Facebook page @pauseforacausehk
Support our community
Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, we have found there is more demand than ever for improving physical and mental wellbeing in Hong Kong. However we are unable to widen our reach or sustain our long-term operation without additional funding.
At the heart of our project mission is inclusivity, so many of our classes are provided free of charge. Therefore we rely on third party donations to support our strong team of teachers and operational staff.
ALL donations make a difference, no matter the amount.
To give you an idea of how the funds will be used:
HK$100 will help purchase yoga mat, blocks and straps.
HK$400 will enable individual classes to take place.
HK$1500 will pay for one month of weekly yoga classes to one group.
HK$15,000 will enable us to add a new weekly class for one full year.
Please help our organisation grow, run more classes and be of service to more communities in Hong Kong.
Some amazing perks for supporting us!
We would love to thank you personally for your donations!
For a single donation over HK$500, you will receive a 5% discount at Pause Cafe (created by the same team as Pause Wellness to serve fresh, nourishing food and drinks in Mui Wo)*.
For a single donation over HK$1000, you will receive a 10% discount at Pause Cafe*.
For a single donation over HK$2000, you are eligible for a private 1 hour yoga session at Pause Wellness in Mui Wo**.
For a single donation over HK$10,000, you and a group of friends (max 10 people) can enjoy a yoga "retreat" one afternoon at Pause Wellness in Mui Wo.**
*Please contact cause@pause.hk to arrange reservation. Only one set of discount applies per donation.
**Please contact cause@pause.hk to arrange the session.Timing is subject to studio schedule and availability.
