New Leaf runs “direct” programs (i.e. programs that we fund and oversee) within a 2-hour radius of Toronto, Ontario. To learn how we’re committed to supporting others interested in this work further away, please check out our National Impact Commitment.

Our process for hiring teachers includes completing a New Leaf teaching application form, followed by participating in conversational and teaching interviews. This process is meant for both of us to see if we’re a fit for each other. You may complete our teaching application here.

We currently hold an open, drop-in class on Wednesday evenings at the Rexdale Hub, 21 Panorama Court from 7-8pm for youth between the ages of 13 and 24 living, studying or residing in the Rexdale (north Etobicoke) community. All of our other classes are run in partnership with community-based organizations or custody facilities. Our goal is to start more open, drop-in classes in the coming 2 years. Please stay tuned to our Facebook or news page for more information.

As an organization, we are committed to anti-oppression practices and promoting equality and accessibility within our organization and within the broader yoga community. We are continually learning and value your feedback as well as the feedback we receive from the youth we work with and people residing in the communities we partner with. We encourage people who have shared similar life experiences with the youth we serve to apply to work with us and are an equal-opportunity organization.

New Leaf is a charitable organization registered with the Canada Revenue Agency. We can provide charitable tax receipts for monetary donations or in-kind donations of tangible items.

Yes, we offer a 15-hour introductory training that outlines New Leaf’s best practices for making yoga accessible and relevant for young people in diverse and sensitive environments.. Visit our News page to find out the latest details.

We currently work with youth ages 9-24 in a variety of programs customized to suit each age group.

• The Mindful Child by Susan Kaiser Greenland
• Overcoming Trauma through Yoga by David Emerson, Elizabeth Hopper
• Boyz 2 Buddhas by David Forbes
• Dharma Punx by Noah Levine

Our method for offering programs involves a close connection with our teachers and program site staff, and our training and support system for our teachers is extensive, on-going and very hands-on. For these reasons, we do not partner with teachers to start up programs. Rather we accept applications from program sites (i.e. Schools, youth-serving organizations and custody facilities), determine whom we will partner with, and then put out a call for teacher applications.

We accept applications from potential program partners on an on-going basis and review these 3-4 times each year at board meetings. You can complete our Project Host Application here.