All aboard for yoga on the CSS Acadia in Halifax

Yogis seas-ed the day aboard the CSS Acadia.

Yoga aboard the CSS Acadia in Halifax is back in full swing this summer for its fourth year.

“The CSS Acadia actually went through a refit in 2021 and 2022 and part of that we really wanted to have the ship available to more Nova Scotians so one thing we thought we would do is a yoga class and that brings almost 45 people aboard Acadia that might not have been on before,” says Joni Thomas, Maritime Museum of the Atlantic coordinator of Maritime experiences.

The museum has partnered with the East Coast Wellness Clinic to provide 50-minute yoga classes to anyone of any skill level on the ship.

“We will be moving together, breathing together, a blend of restorative postures as well as bringing some blood flow to the surface,” says Kelly Wadden, owner of the East Coast Wellness Clinic.

The East Coast Wellness Clinic provides the instructors and the registration while the museum provides the space.

“More and more, lots more people coming, people seeing this on the news, seeing it on our social media and they’re very excited,” says Thomas.

After having to pause the classes last summer due to construction, they say it’s good to be back.

It is a pay-what-you-can model, and all the proceeds will go to the museum for the boat school charity, which the team hopes will be open next spring.

“It’s a great opportunity to pair and work with local businesses in Halifax and this is such a positive experience for the community to come together. It blends yoga, the waterfront and slowing down in your day,” says Wadden.

It’s also an opportunity for people to learn a bit about Nova Scotia’s history.

“The CSS Acadia was built in Newcastle-on-Tyne in 1913, and it was intended to be a hydrographic survey vessel, functioning and serving in eastern and western Canadian waters,” says Ellen McLaren, CSS Acadia ship keeper.

It was used in the First World War and was in the harbour during the Halifax Explosion.

“She served in both world wars, she retired in the late 60s in 1969 and now it’s been a crown jewel and asset of the Maritime Museum ever since,” says McLaren.

McLaren explains hosting the event aboard the ship is a great way for people to experience it firsthand. For Wadden this event is also about bringing the community together.

“It’s so lovely to pair an event like this, at this time of year. Everybody is starting to get that energetic summer feeling. But I would say overall we come together as a community and it ripples a lot of good vibes beyond just your workplace,” says Wadden.

Nicola Steffans is visiting from the United States, and she calls herself a yogi and spends a lot of time practicing in a studio. She loves opportunities to practice outside.

“I use it as a stress reliever, that’s how it started and now the more challenging pose is something you always aspire to so it’s a growth opportunity,” says Steffen.

Jenn King is also a yoga instructor and alternates the teaching of the class with Wadden.

“This practice here that we choose is a very foundational practice and I’m always shocked by how many people show up who are doing yoga for the very first time,” says King, who notes yoga is very humbling, especially when your balance is tested on a ship.

“Getting back to basics, strong foundation, that’s a huge part of my personal yoga practice and we can easily incorporate it here.”

People can register for the event with the East Coast Wellness Clinic through their website or social media. They also welcome walk-ons.

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