Nancy Buckle and her husband Maz Radwan decided they were done with the hustle and bustle and craziness of life in New Jersey.
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So, two years ago they sold their home and most of their belongings, packed whatever they could fit in an SUV and made the trek to Newfoundland in search of simpler life nearer to her family.
Corner Brook was home for Buckle, while Radwan grew up in New Jersey and spent most of his adult life in New York before the couple settled back in his home state with their daughter Layla, who is now five.
Buckle had run a clothing business and yoga studio in the States, but when she came home it was without a plan.
Her first intention was to get back into counselling as she had previously worked as a children’s therapist.
But she soon realized there was a gap in yoga offerings for children in the city. She was a yoga teacher and decided to start some programs for kids. Within three days she had 100 families signed up and started out offering classes in her home and at the Veitch Wellness Centre, where she operates Namaste at Veitch.
Something she heard from parents was how there was nothing around for young children and the isolation moms often feel.
In New Jersey Buckle and her daughter went to indoor playgrounds all the time and he thoughts turned to opening one here.
Namaste and Play, an indoor playground and yoga studio geared towards children from birth to age six, opened in the Valley Mall on May 25.
The facility has a dedicated area for infants to safely explore away from the main play area, a picnic room for lunch and a yoga studio. It will also be available for birthday parties.
Buckle said her main goals are to give children a safe place to play all year round and to provide them with socialization experiences.
Buckle offers free admission to the play space for children under six months old.
She said that’s her way of supporting moms who may be experiencing post-partum mood disorders to help alleviate the isolation they often feel.