Wendy Akune

Who are you?

I help to facilitate health and wholeness in people. From a young age I have felt that my calling is to serve and support others. In my 20’s I became very good friends with a dear soul who had come from Vietnam during the war as a refugee with his father. Sadly, he suffered physical abuse and ended up in foster homes until finally settling into one where he remained for many years.  During our friendship, I witnessed him struggle with addiction and trauma. I loved him dearly for his kindness, gentleness and wonderful sense of humor.  It was at this time I began to reflect on privilege (though I didn’t use that word at the time). I realized that I had the fortune to have been born into a family where I never worried about my next meal or if I was safe, and where there was an abundance of love and acceptance. I understood that I was no more deserving or undeserving of my circumstances than my dear friend was of his.  We had simply been born to different conditions. 

 I decided that I wanted to go to university so that I could learn to work with youth who were struggling.  Straight out of university I began working with female young offenders and worked in this role for many amazing, beautiful and heart opening years.  

 I knew from my studies and from working with these young women that prevention is key. In the West, we have a very reactionary approach which means people often do not get served until they have fallen into ill health, addiction or crime.  I wanted to find a way to help people in which I was meeting them from a place of wholeness rather than from a place of lack. 

 I realized that yoga was able to offer this, as it had in the past guided me through some of my most challenging times. The practice of yoga is so beautiful because it does not require that you be any specific way… it meets you exactly where you are. 

 What else are you passionate about?

I am also passionate about food.  I love food for many reasons.  Food provides the opportunity for great creativity. I love to cook and spend a lot of time thinking about food.  I love that food brings people together; it has the ability to draw together community of which I am also passionate.  I love that food has the power to heal. It is such a beautiful reminder that we are of the earth and that that from earth supports our well-being.    

What can students expect from your class?

I believe in creating a warm and welcoming environment to practice in so that you are able to come and fully unwind.  This means cultivating a climate that is compassionate and non-competitive. My group classes always begin with a few minutes of quiet contemplation, with an invitation to form an intention or spend some time focusing on your breath or body. You can expect a good warm up for your joints and muscles. Classes generally include standing and seated poses with a  gentle transition into the final resting pose. Yoga postures are practiced in relationship to one another so that the physiological and anatomical effect of one pose prepares the body for the next. Classes are specifically designed keeping the older practitioner in mind. They follow a structure that has been arranged to ensure safety, continued development and growth. 

Wendy was the Nutritionist at the BC Compassion Club Wellness Centre Society for 8 years. She now works with new members and HR at the Compassion Club . She also has taught locally and abroad.  Teaching nutrition has brought her to work with international yoga studios in Chile and Nepal. She has gone on to complete Anatomy & Physiology for Bodyworkers through Langara College, Chair Yoga Training, Pain Care Yoga Training and is currently completely training as a Yoga Therapist at the Vancouver School of Healing Arts.