Victoria’s Read

Nicky Poulin is a woman driven by purpose. She has a day job with the government in the Mines and Aggregates Safety Health Association as a graphic designer. However, outside of her day job, Nicky also has two other businesses: Nicky Designs, and Ohana Wellness Centre.

Nicky Designs was created 8 yrs ago as a marketing and promotions business, with Nicky doing mostly pro-bono work. This includes a book publication for M.T. Davidson School in Callander, called “There’s Mud In My Playground”, to raise money for playground equipment and also promotional work for Books by the Bay, which is a huge yearly event. Nicky does this as a way to give back to the community, something she firmly believes in.

Then there’s Ohana Wellness Centre. Nicky had a dream about a place where people, no matter their shape, size or age could gather, feel comfortable and get healthy. The word “Ohana” actually means family. So, with the full support of her husband, Darren and son, Cole, they embarked on a new venture. Nicky and Darren sold their home, where they at one time believed they would retire to build a new home that would incorporate the wellness centre. Nicky herself teaches yoga and has studied in Toronto and Mysore, India. Darren is a kinesiologist, holistic life coach, and practices traditional Chinese medicine. Altogether, there are now 6 teachers that work out of Ohana, teaching a variety of yoga, nia (combo of dance, yoga, tai-chi and martial arts), as well as massage therapies, to name a few services. The sheer delight and new-found confidence in the reaction of students when they accomplish a goal or master a new yoga position is what fuels Nicky onwards with Ohana.

For more information, visit their website: www. ohanawellness.ca, or give the centre a call to book a visit and experience first hand the atmosphere at (705) 752-0294.

By: Michelle Lashbrook