Aging Gracefully Ottawa

Born in Japan in 1968.

In 1989, Hiromi married her then diplomat husband and moved to Canada. They have two daughters, a son, and two grandchildren.

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Wellness Instructor

 

In 1999, Hiromi began her career as a fitness instructor, working in aquafitness, pilates, personal        trainer, tai chi, qigong, and other forms of wellness that transcend the boundaries of East and West. Institutions include the Ottawa Community Medical Center, Algonquin College, the Ottawa Board of Education, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

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In 2007, she founded Aging Gracefully Ottawa and has taught Chair Tichi, Chair Yoga, Zumba Gold,      and Aqua Zumba classes at a total of 25 retirement homes.

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​​In 2020, she quickly adapted online classes in the midst of the Corona pandemic, and now her zoom  lessons are popular classes that attract students from all over the world (Ireland, Japan, Hong Kong, the U.S., and Canada). Students include pianists, violinists, opera singers, translators, architects,  photographers, writers, politicians, police officers, diplomats, tai chi instructors, and yoga instructors. She is also a personal instructor for students with Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and other chronic illnesses.

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Cultural Activities (Connecting Japan and Canada)

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As a wellness instructor, Hiromi’s activities are not limited to teaching fitness, but also include guiding tours for Japanese tourists visiting Ottawa for the past 15 years (places attended: Algonquin Park, Ottawa, Mont Tremblant, Montreal, Quebec City). She has appeared twice as a fitness instructor and commentator on Rogers TV, which focuses on international students in Ottawa. She loves to experience other cultures first hand and learn from traveling, and has traveled to more than 20 countries. 

 

​​​Her long-standing interest in Japanese culture is evident not only in her efforts to help establish the    Ottawa chapter of Canada Yosakoi Team Kaede, but also in the Japan tours she has organized for        wellness class participants in 2019 and 2020.

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Hiromi has been studying ikebana under MASAYO GARDNER, who attains Teacher’s Diploma 1st          Grade Jonin Somu (Flower Name: Shin En).  Hiromi Also participated in the Sogetsu Ikebana Exhibition    "Ikebana In Motion" organized by the Japanese Embassy in Ottawa, 2021.

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Community Builder (Enjoy Ottawa)

 

​In 2016,Hiromi started a Japanese walking group which has become a gathering place for new              immigrants (Issei) of Japanese descent who are often isolated in Ottawa.

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Before the Corona pandemic, Hiromi organized a one day wellness fair in the summers of 2020 and  2021. Also in the winter of 2021, a gallery/cafe focused on the work of female artists living in Ottawa      was organized with ARITAcafe. Beginning in 2022, Aging Gracefully Ottawa has pledged to donate 10%    of its annual revenue to local groups working for health and peace.

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​From 2021, she has been distributing YouTube videos in both English and Japanese under the motto  "Life and body given from heaven, let's be responsible until the end and cherish (life) more".

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As seen in the word and expression "Old," aging tends to be perceived negatively in today's society,    but she has been vigorously working to spread the message that "aging gracefully," is a form of utmost gratitude for the preciousness of life, and a way of life that allows one to experience happiness.