Dorothy Leung
As featured in Canadian Living Magazine , June ...

Day 1- Cambodia

June 12, 2014 3:55pm, I have arrived in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. First thing after customs is obtaining my visitor's visa. My passport went down an assembly line of about 5 people which was peculiar yet speedy. Airport essentials went smoothly.

It is approaching rainy season and the temperature today is 31C [87F]. I can't believe I am finally here! I have been talking about this for the past few months and now this will be home.

The sun sets fairly early at around 6-6:30pm. So that gave me just over two hours of daylight and one of them spent in traffic. The first thing I realized was that pedestrians have no right of way. Crossing the street was an adventure- do not hesitate and if you can swivel your head 360 degrees, that's even better. The Cambodia I had imagined was a bit one dimensional. It isn't.  Sure, there are seedy looking streets and trash randomly piled on [kind of] sidewalks but then there are also paved roads with shiny Range Rovers and a cafe society that will make you feel like you are chillin in Europe.

I have communicated with my new boss via email and am looking forward to start Monday, June 16th. I am so excited to meet everyone and to see the facility. This weekend will be spent settling into my new home and learning how to read a map. I am terrible with directions [those who know, know] but luckily tuk-tuks cost anywhere between $1-4 USD around the city.

So, my first day- good!

My new bosses I will be meeting tomorrow! 

My new bosses I will be meeting tomorrow! 

 

 

Thank you for your Support

“No duty is more than that of returning thanks”
— James Allen

I want to express a very heartfelt Thank You to the support everyone has given me. Your words of encouragement silenced my loudest doubts. I am never alone in my pilates journey and volunteering is no exception. I have received such kind words and sincere support from my friends and family. My concerned yet proud parents did not quite understand this in the beginning but nonetheless supported me. My peers and clients have wished me well with enthusiasm. Strangers became new acquaintances and everyone was excited for me.

In preparation for my journey, I have cycled through emotions such as excitement, eagerness, adventurous, anxiousness, doubt, and curiosity. I have never been to Cambodia and have never done anything like this before. 

 

I want to thank my power team. My mentor, Elizabeth Larkam for passing her invaluable knowledge to me in person as well as over skype. Monica Plewes and Maira Izzo who allowed me to use their studio to hold fundraiser classes. Shirlene Campbell, a Physiotherapist expert in rehabbing limb loss gave me books and valuable hands-on techniques. Al Harrison, Director of Education from Balanced Body donated the Motr for me to bring to Cambodia. This group of amazing individuals helped me stay focused and their leadership inspires me to become better. 

See you on the other side! 

 

 

 

 

Fundraising for my Cambodia trip

Fundraising can be creative and fun and you don't have to lose friends in the process! The key is to let people understand what you are doing, why you are doing it, and how they can help you accomplish it. The why has to be very clear, and that is when you let your passion shine through. This week, I held a dinner/fundraiser party at my condo and invited my friends. Here are some pictures of us having fun with the equipment I will be bringing with me. We had a lot of fun taking turns doing demonstrations and egging each other on!

 

Thanks to all my friends and family.

Karma Class for Cambodia

Dear Pilates Friends and Friends of Friends,

Exciting news! I will be teaching a new reformer class at CORE Studio. New to Core? We would love to have you! Come visit one of Toronto's highest ranked boutique Pilates Studios in the heart of downtown.

What: New Karma Class  CAMBODIA Project

Class: Reformer, all levels

When: Saturdays @ 3pm / May 3rd, 10th and 24th, 2014

Where: 533 Queen St W, 3rd Floor. Google map 

Reserve: via Mind Body on CORE website

Rate: $15 donation, cash only- drop in fish bowl. All funds go towards purchasing pilates props and tools for Veterans rehabilitation centre in Cambodia.

The mind , when housed within a healthful body, possesses a glorious sense of power- Joseph Pilates

Be a part of an exciting project in helping Cambodian Land-mine Victims just by coming to class! I will be embarking on a volunteer project in Cambodia to teach Pilates to this unique community. Many of them are Cambodian War Veterans and as a result of the land mines, have experienced amputations. The road to recovery starts with health. I extend the invitation to our community to help our new friends in Phnom Penh. The money raised will go towards purchasing Pilates equipment for the Cambodian Veterans Rehabilitation Clinic. Give support. Give hope.