BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — Spending so much time isolated in our homes can be stressful. The White Wolf Wellness Foundation, in partnership with Kern Behavioral Health is offering free yoga online to bring that healing directly to you.
“You’re alone and isolated, so things come to the surface," Katherine Winters, CFO and instructor of White Wolf Wellness Foundation said. “What do you do when those things come to the surface: do you turn to a substance, do you lash out through an unhealthy habit? Or do you turn to something that’s going to help you evolve? That’s where our classes come into play.”
White Wolf Wellness launched two years ago to bring yoga directly to people in community centers around Kern County without access. When in-person altogether ceased because of a pandemic, CEO and instructor, Stephen Winters and CFO and instructor, Katherine Winters, had to be flexible with their format.
Kern Behavioral Health saw this need, which is why they provided a grant to the yoga studio. Through their help and other donations, White Wolf Wellness could offer online yoga classes for free whether one-one-one or on-demand online.
“It should be just as accessible as the fire department, or emergency healthcare, because no matter what you do in your life, you have to do it with a mind and in this body,” Stephen Winters said.
Katherine Winters added that through their partnership with Kern Behavioral Health, classes they film from home, are specified for certain mental health needs like anxiety, depression and mindfulness.
When the Winters said their yoga classes are accessible for everyone, they meant anytime, anywhere, and any age. Their oldest client is 97. Another client actually used the classes as a part of their physical and mental healing from COVID-19.
“I know that the breathing exercises and yoga practices were huge parts, not only their physical health, but also their mental health and recovery,” Stephen Winters said. “Having something that they know they can go to the yoga mat to spend a little bit of time and feel a little bit better than they did five minutes ago.”
