About Us
6ix Kids Yoga is a charitable program that, in partnership with Scadding Court Community Centre, and Toronto Police Services, has been bringing yoga and mindfulness training to children in schools across the GTA since 2013. For children in under-served communities, life’s daily stresses can put a major strain on their physical and mental well-being.
Led by experienced and certified yoga instructors, our free, in school classes help children: • Increase their physical flexibility • Improve focus and concentration • Learn calming and stress-relieving habits • Build self-esteem • Strengthen their mind-body connection • And, most importantly, have fun! 6ix Kids Yoga has provided services to thousands of students since 2014, and is continuing to grow! We currently serve 4 schools: Ryerson Community School, Parkdale Junior and Senior Public School,Alexander Muir/Gladstone Public School and Ogden Junior Public School. Please help us to expand the program and be able to reach more children across Toronto by donating to the 6ix Kids Yoga program. Go to www.scaddingcourt.org/donate, or click on the Donate button throughout our website. 99% of the proceeds raised directly fund our yoga classes, and less than 1% is used for administrative purposes. Check out the testimonials in our gallery! |
About Scadding Court
Scadding Court Community Centre (SCCC) was built in 1978 at the corner of Dundas & Bathurst. Its founding vision was that of a community-controlled centre with a social/recreational focus and mandate which allowed people in the neighbourhood to plan and develop their own services and activities.
Community agencies are important players in efforts to create healthy communities and a balanced, just and prosperous society – they facilitate, support, spark, inform and provide spaces for people to come together, generate new ideas and take action. Our Management Team
Victor Sagar Executive Director & Founder Victor has been practicing yoga & meditation for several years, and credits the practice for helping him to make a positive change in his life. After reading about how yoga and mindfulness has been scientifically proven to help children as well, he had the idea to provide Yoga & Mindfulness training to students in under-served communities. With the support of Scadding Court Community centre, he funded the project, with Ryerson Community School (the Elementary school he attended with Mohsin in their youth) as the pilot location. Previously, Victor operated a successful chain of home furnishings stores for 25 years (Down Under Bedding), but he left the business to pursue his true passion and philanthropic endeavours. 
Mohsin Khattak
Community Outreach Director Mohsin began his career over 20 years ago as a mentor for young children in the downtown Toronto community where he grew up. Quickly realizing the positive impact he could make in young people’s lives, he has dedicated his life to community work. In 2013, Mohsin gladly teamed up with his childhood friend Victor Sagar to bring yoga and mindfulness training to students in under-served communities. Through his many networks Mohsin was able to seamlessly bring the program to various inner-city schools within Toronto. |
Our Teachers
Angelica Rao
Angelica is passionate about sharing a yoga practice that promotes peace of mind, connectedness, embodiment and healing. By creating and holding a safe space, she invites students to connect with their breath, the present moment and whatever they are feeling, experiencing, or working through. Through challenging, mindful movement connected to breath and intention, the yoga that she shares is healing, grounding, and transformative. Angelica wholeheartedly believes that everyone should have access to the benefits of yoga. She shares practice in women’s shelters, with youth in underserved communities, and with individuals from low income communities with mental health and addiction issues. Angelica holds a Masters in Sociology and has five years of experience working internationally as a Program Coordinator for an Indigenous Peoples Rights organization. Her education and work background guides her belief in the importance of creating inclusive yoga spaces and sharing practice with all members of Toronto’s diverse community.
Angelica is passionate about sharing a yoga practice that promotes peace of mind, connectedness, embodiment and healing. By creating and holding a safe space, she invites students to connect with their breath, the present moment and whatever they are feeling, experiencing, or working through. Through challenging, mindful movement connected to breath and intention, the yoga that she shares is healing, grounding, and transformative. Angelica wholeheartedly believes that everyone should have access to the benefits of yoga. She shares practice in women’s shelters, with youth in underserved communities, and with individuals from low income communities with mental health and addiction issues. Angelica holds a Masters in Sociology and has five years of experience working internationally as a Program Coordinator for an Indigenous Peoples Rights organization. Her education and work background guides her belief in the importance of creating inclusive yoga spaces and sharing practice with all members of Toronto’s diverse community.
Stephanie Gibson
Stephanie feels that the practice of movement and breath has been a gift in her life. Stephanie completed a 200 hour hatha teacher training at Kula Yoga, 40 hour Restorative Yoga training with Octopus Garden and a trauma informed yoga training with Sarah Kinsely. Stephanie has worked with non-profits offering yoga and movement in Toronto public schools, instructed for local and national organizations including Outdoor Nation, Fit Spirit and United Athletics, as well as teaching classes at studios and schools in both the Greater Toronto Area and Winnipeg, MB. Stephanie specializes in yoga for children and gentle hatha inspired practice for adults. As well as teaching movement and meditation, Stephanie is a gardener and writer. Stephanie's personal practice continues to evolve and grow, sometimes in quiet dormancy, other times in full bloom.
Charlotte Giacomelli
Charlotte is a Toronto native, born and raised. She has spent the past 11 years cultivating a yoga practice and has completed her 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training Certificate at Octopus Garden and is currently finishing her 300 Hour YTT Certificate. She studied photography and painting in Halifax and soon after worked in the Canadian Arctic as a dog sled musher. She has an affinity for the natural world and serving others in their search for peace and happiness in life. Through yoga she hopes to help those around her build tools and techniques to cultivate sustainable physical and mental health.
Christine Rahman
Christine is a yogini, a Paediatric Registered Nurse at SickKids Hospital and a lifestyle enthusiast. Christine completed her 200-hour Blissology-inspired Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training under the guidance of Eoin Finn, in Bali Indonesia, and continues to be inspired by health, wellness and fitness everyday. Her mission is to inspire a love of many things and to help others seek positivity in their life journeys. She enjoys making connections, eating holistically and nutritionally, creating new recipes, chocolate, a yummy glass of wine, hugs, playing music and being active. Christine’s classes are strong, playful and energetic, connecting breath with movement while focusing on creative sequencing, alignment, flexibility & power with ever changing playlists. Christine loves working with kids because they inspire her the most with their sense of play and wonder. She is absolutely ecstatic to be part of the 6ix Kids Yoga Team!
Our Partners:
Toronto Police Services
Toronto Police Services
Jin Kim
Jin has been a member of the Toronto Police Service for the past 10 years. Jin has worked 8 years as a Primary Response Unit officer, responding to 911 emergency calls. He also worked with the Toronto Anti-Violence Intervention Strategy unit, focusing on preventing gang and violence throughout the city. Jin is currently assigned to 14 Division as a Neighbourhood Officer, working closely with the assigned communities, mainly with local youths.
Jin has been practicing Yoga for a year. Weekly yoga and meditation sessions have helped him cope with stress from working as a police officer. He also attends some of the yoga classes at Ryerson Community School and has been a big supporter of 6ix Kids Yoga!
Jin has been a member of the Toronto Police Service for the past 10 years. Jin has worked 8 years as a Primary Response Unit officer, responding to 911 emergency calls. He also worked with the Toronto Anti-Violence Intervention Strategy unit, focusing on preventing gang and violence throughout the city. Jin is currently assigned to 14 Division as a Neighbourhood Officer, working closely with the assigned communities, mainly with local youths.
Jin has been practicing Yoga for a year. Weekly yoga and meditation sessions have helped him cope with stress from working as a police officer. He also attends some of the yoga classes at Ryerson Community School and has been a big supporter of 6ix Kids Yoga!
Nick Maicantis
Nick has been a member of the Toronto Police Service since 2004. He has worked in the Primary Response Unit, responding to 911 emergency, and service calls. He has also worked as a booking and fingerprint officer. Nick has been working in the 14 Division Community Response Unit since 2013 as a Neighbourhood Officer, working closely with the Alexandra Park, Kensington Market and China Town communities. Nick along with his partner, Officer Jin Kim run several after school youth programs within their communities and are excited to be working with the 6ix Kids Yoga team.
Nick has recently found a love for gymnastics and calisthenics, which he practices on a daily basis. He has been practicing Yoga for the last few years and, when he can, joins a 6ix Kids Yoga class at Ryerson Community School!
Nick has been a member of the Toronto Police Service since 2004. He has worked in the Primary Response Unit, responding to 911 emergency, and service calls. He has also worked as a booking and fingerprint officer. Nick has been working in the 14 Division Community Response Unit since 2013 as a Neighbourhood Officer, working closely with the Alexandra Park, Kensington Market and China Town communities. Nick along with his partner, Officer Jin Kim run several after school youth programs within their communities and are excited to be working with the 6ix Kids Yoga team.
Nick has recently found a love for gymnastics and calisthenics, which he practices on a daily basis. He has been practicing Yoga for the last few years and, when he can, joins a 6ix Kids Yoga class at Ryerson Community School!
