Creating a compassionate community and city
'Wellness is not just physical activity… it is about longevity, socializing and coming together,' said Manju Lodha, the group's volunteer co-ordinator. 'In our group, people can talk to each other in their own languages. It is a meeting place. It is a very satisfying program.'
Beginning with only a few members, the group was centred around art-related activities. An official formalization of the program took place in 2010. It continued to grow over the years and now has more than 100 members. While there is no membership fee for attendees, donations are welcomed. It is supported by a Winnipeg Foundation endowment fund.
Ruth Bonneville / Free Press
Mayor Scott Gillingham accepts a painting from Manju Lodha, the Sharing Circle of Wellness's volunteer co-ordinator, at the Dr. Raj Pandey Hindu Centre.
Even though members are mainly seniors, it is open to all ages. The group has a diverse membership that is multi-faith and multi-cultural as well as a mix of male and female members. Lodha says the group would not be possible without the efforts of its program committee, many volunteers and the support of the Hindu Society.
At present, the group gathers three times a week, once in-person at the HSM facility and twice via Zoom. During the pandemic, when maintaining contact was heightened, the group connected via Zoom a couple of times per week. With the purpose of promoting wellness, in every sense, addressing physical, emotional, mental, social, spiritual and nutritional needs are interwoven into the program's itinerary.
Physical activities include yoga sessions, meditation, breathing techniques, stretching and gentle exercises. The spiritual side of yoga is also explored.
The program features weekly guest speakers on a wide range of health-related topics and beyond. According to Lodha, the group had talks from a neurologist, psychiatrist, health educator and retired doctors as well as from a First Nations group and visitors from India who offer different viewpoints about Indian culture. Other speakers have discussed important topics for seniors, such as power of attorney, wills and cremations.
'Many of us don't know what are the options we have, what are the government procedures and what are the benefits that we can get. The purpose of the program is to have a person educate us, provides some information and at the same time we learn from each other,' Lodha said.
During the summer, children provide cultural performances for the wellness program, creating colourful and joyful moments. Festivities such as Diwali, Christmas and birthdays of members who are 90 years and older are celebrated. With many seniors facing isolation and loneliness, the program facilitates an opportunity to see and meet one another, hold conversations, laugh together and form friendships.
At the anniversary celebration on July 10, a regular yoga session took place, followed by a prayer and yoga performance. The event also included a talk on Winnipeg becoming a compassionate city. 'For many years, Winnipeg has been trying to be a compassionate city,' Lodha said. 'A few years ago, there was a Winnipeg delegation to Louisville, Kentucky to listen to the Dalai Lama… to find out more about compassionate cities.'
Lodha, who attended that special event, pointed out the Wellness Group has been interested in how seniors can help with this vision.
Mayor Scott Gillingham was invited to speak at the anniversary event about Winnipeg's journey towards being a compassionate city.
'In our world right now… to be people of compassion and be a city of compassion is a bright light, a light of hope. It says to others that we see you, we have care, concern for you… no matter who you are, where you come from, what you are going through, you will be received and cared for by our community,' he said.
Sundays
Kevin Rollason's Sunday newsletter honouring and remembering lives well-lived in Manitoba.
The Sharing Circle of Wellness highlights the importance of diversity and inclusivity in the city, he said. 'When people move from all parts of the world, one of the ways that they can settle in and become part of our community is because of the cultural and faith infrastructure that is here. People identify really with a faith community, a cultural community that help them become Winnipeggers,' Gillingham said.
To help achieve the goal of becoming a compassionate city, people must embrace what compassion entails. Rather than waiting until a pandemic or a disaster hits — whether natural, physical or personal — to ignite compassion, it needs to be part of our daily dialogues and everyday actions. When welcoming a newcomer in our city, when working collaboratively towards justice and reconciliation, when taking a moment to talk to your neighbour, when extending a helping hand to someone dealing with a circumstance different from your own, when acknowledging someone by saying hello or with a smile, becoming a compassionate city is made possible. Our younger generation plays a vital role in the future of our compassionate communities and city by embracing its value in their lives.
In bringing a diverse group of people together, the Wellness Group is striving to make a positive impact upon the lives of its members to be healthy and happy. They are also striving to be a shining example of treating each other with grace, dignity, care, respect and love.
'As new immigrants when we come here, we need compassion from other people and when we become citizens we need to give compassion to others,' Lodha said. 'Our whole wellness program is based on compassion. We all have to help each other.'
Romona Goomansingh, PhD is an educator, freelance writer and author in Winnipeg.
The Free Press is committed to covering faith in Manitoba. If you appreciate that coverage, help us do more! Your contribution of $10, $25 or more will allow us to deepen our reporting about faith in the province. Thanks!
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Festivities such as Diwali, Christmas and birthdays of members who are 90 years and older are celebrated. With many seniors facing isolation and loneliness, the program facilitates an opportunity to see and meet one another, hold conversations, laugh together and form friendships. At the anniversary celebration on July 10, a regular yoga session took place, followed by a prayer and yoga performance. The event also included a talk on Winnipeg becoming a compassionate city. 'For many years, Winnipeg has been trying to be a compassionate city,' Lodha said. 'A few years ago, there was a Winnipeg delegation to Louisville, Kentucky to listen to the Dalai Lama… to find out more about compassionate cities.' Lodha, who attended that special event, pointed out the Wellness Group has been interested in how seniors can help with this vision. Mayor Scott Gillingham was invited to speak at the anniversary event about Winnipeg's journey towards being a compassionate city. 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'As new immigrants when we come here, we need compassion from other people and when we become citizens we need to give compassion to others,' Lodha said. 'Our whole wellness program is based on compassion. We all have to help each other.' Romona Goomansingh, PhD is an educator, freelance writer and author in Winnipeg. The Free Press is committed to covering faith in Manitoba. If you appreciate that coverage, help us do more! Your contribution of $10, $25 or more will allow us to deepen our reporting about faith in the province. Thanks! BECOME A FAITH JOURNALISM SUPPORTER
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